Ancora Nominates Nine Candidates to U.S. Steel Board, Company Responds

Ancora Holdings, an activist investor, has nominated nine candidates to the U.S. Steel (X) board, aiming to overhaul the company's leadership and redirect its strategy following the collapse of its $14 billion merger with Japan’s Nippon Steel Corp (TYO:5401). The move comes as U.S. Steel faces challenges in its merger negotiations and seeks to create value for shareholders. In response, U.S. Steel has issued a statement defending its board's track record and expressing concerns about Ancora's motivations and potential conflicts of interest with Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF).



Ancora's nominees include Alan Kestenbaum, former CEO of Stelco, who successfully revitalized the Canadian steelmaker before its acquisition by Cleveland-Cliffs. Kestenbaum's experience in the steel industry and his success in turning around Stelco could bring valuable insights to U.S. Steel's board. Additionally, Ancora's nominees likely have diverse backgrounds and expertise that could complement the current U.S. Steel board's skillset.

U.S. Steel, however, has an experienced and independent Board of Directors with a proven track record of acting in the best interests of the Company and creating value for stockholders. The company's board has taken every action to deliver value, including running a robust strategic alternatives process, which resulted in a 142% premium to the unaffected closing price of $22.72 on August 11, 2023.

Ancora's proposed board composition addresses the concerns raised by U.S. Steel regarding the motivations behind their nominations and potential conflicts of interest with Cleveland-Cliffs by including a diverse and experienced group of nominees with no apparent ties to Cleveland-Cliffs. The nominees' expertise in various relevant areas, such as finance, operations, and sustainability, can help ensure that the board makes informed decisions and acts in the best interests of all stockholders.

Ancora's nominees might bring several strategic changes and initiatives to U.S. Steel, particularly in relation to the ongoing merger negotiations with Nippon Steel and the company's long-term sustainability goals. They could re-evaluate the merger, focus on operational improvements and financial reforms, emphasize sustainability and green initiatives, and strengthen the board and corporate governance.

In conclusion, Ancora's nomination of nine candidates to U.S. Steel's board signals a desire to drive strategic changes and create value for shareholders. While U.S. Steel has expressed concerns about Ancora's motivations and potential conflicts of interest, the diverse and experienced nominees proposed by Ancora could bring valuable expertise and insights to the company's board. As the merger negotiations with Nippon Steel continue, U.S. Steel shareholders will be watching closely to see how the board's composition and strategic direction evolve.