ETFOptimize | High-performance ETF-based Investment Strategies

Quantitative strategies, Wall Street-caliber research, and insightful market analysis since 1998.


ETFOptimize | HOME
Close Window

Ancora Announces Suspension of Campaign Following President Trump’s Initiation of New CFIUS Review of U.S. Steel’s Sale to Nippon Steel

Acknowledges U.S. Steel and Nippon Have Established a Strong, Ongoing Dialogue With the Federal Government to Address Transaction-Related Concerns and Pursue Near-Term Approval

Recognizes a Large Cross-Section of Stakeholders Expect the $55 Per Share Transaction Will be Approved

Shocked by U.S. Steel’s Refusal to Provide Stockholders With Key Deal-Related Information, Which was Entirely Achievable by Postponing the 2025 Annual Meeting Until After the New CFIUS Review Concludes

Ancora Holdings Group, LLC (collectively with its affiliates, “Ancora” or “we”), a stockholder of United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) (“U.S. Steel” or the “Company”), today announced that it is withdrawing its nomination of director candidates for election at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) due to apparent momentum related to the $55 per share sale to Nippon Steel Corporation (“Nippon”).1 Recent reports indicate that the Company and Nippon may have succeeded in having productive conversations with the Trump Administration to address concerns and discuss significantly increased capital commitments.2 Additionally, based on language included in Monday’s Presidential Action, we suspect the companies have taken steps to try to mitigate national security considerations.3 We imagine this is why labor leaders, policy experts and stockholders have recently suggested they expect the sale will be approved.

Our decision to suspend our campaign also stems from U.S. Steel’s embrace of entrenchment tactics. Once it became clear in February that there may still be a path to approval for the $55 per share sale to Nippon, Ancora began sending repeated requests to the Company to postpone the Annual Meeting to allow stockholders to have full information and make truly informed voting decisions. The Company demonstrated a disappointing disregard for sound governance by ignoring our pleas and, as recently as yesterday, continuing to attack us while reiterating the May 6 date. Keep in mind that May 6, 2025 comes just weeks before the new governmental review is expected to conclude. We can only assume U.S. Steel is taking this tact because it is increasingly confident about the transaction’s approval.

Please trust that Ancora always wants fellow stockholders and stakeholders to benefit from the best outcomes, which in this case is the seemingly probable closing of the $55 per share transaction. Stockholders will hopefully be able to rejoice over strong returns and that a consummated deal will end the era of broken relationships and destructive decisions during the tenures of David Burritt and his loyal directors. We consider Mr. Burritt, a non-operator who has been called out by federal lawmakers over a “repulsive conflict of interest,” to be one of the worst leaders in Corporate America.4 This is why Ancora launched this campaign in the first place when former President Biden issued the Executive Order blocking the deal, because we truly believed that U.S. Steel could return to greatness with proven and qualified leadership in place.

Ancora wishes to conclude this stage of its campaign by thanking our fellow stockholders, the United Steelworkers and all other parties willing to engage with us in recent months.

About Ancora

Founded in 2003, Ancora Holdings Group, LLC offers integrated investment advisory, wealth management, retirement plan services and insurance solutions to individuals and institutions across the United States. The firm is a long-term supporter of union labor and has a history of working with union groups and public pension plans to deliver long-term value. Ancora’s comprehensive service offering is complemented by a dedicated team that has the breadth of expertise and operational structure of a global institution, with the responsiveness and flexibility of a boutique firm. Ancora Alternatives is the alternative asset management division of Ancora Holdings Group, investing across three primary strategies: activism, multi-strategy and commodities. For more information about Ancora Alternatives, please visit www.ancoraalts.com.

_________________________

1 Associated Press article entitled “US Steel hits 52-week high after Trump orders new security review of Nippon Steel bid,” dated April 8, 2025 (link).

2 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article entitled “Nippon ups proposed investment in U.S. Steel as it tries to sway Trump on deal,” dated March 28, 2025 (link).

3 Presidential Action entitled “Review of Proposed United States Steel Corporation Acquisition,” dated April 7, 2025 (link).

4 Letter issued by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown, dated October 2, 2024 (link).

 

Contacts

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.


 

IntelligentValue Home
Close Window

DISCLAIMER

All content herein is issued solely for informational purposes and is not to be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor should it be interpreted as a recommendation to buy, hold or sell (short or otherwise) any security.  All opinions, analyses, and information included herein are based on sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, is made including but not limited to any representation or warranty concerning accuracy, completeness, correctness, timeliness or appropriateness. We undertake no obligation to update such opinions, analysis or information. You should independently verify all information contained on this website. Some information is based on analysis of past performance or hypothetical performance results, which have inherent limitations. We make no representation that any particular equity or strategy will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. Shareholders, employees, writers, contractors, and affiliates associated with ETFOptimize.com may have ownership positions in the securities that are mentioned. If you are not sure if ETFs, algorithmic investing, or a particular investment is right for you, you are urged to consult with a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Neither this website nor anyone associated with producing its content are Registered Investment Advisors, and no attempt is made herein to substitute for personalized, professional investment advice. Neither ETFOptimize.com, Global Alpha Investments, Inc., nor its employees, service providers, associates, or affiliates are responsible for any investment losses you may incur as a result of using the information provided herein. Remember that past investment returns may not be indicative of future returns.

Copyright © 1998-2017 ETFOptimize.com, a publication of Optimized Investments, Inc. All rights reserved.