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US Steel Stock Surges Forming Golden Cross, Does Billionaire Investment In X Signal More Upside?

United States Steel Corp X is flashing bullish signals, riding an 8.35% gain over the past five days and forming a Golden Cross, a technical indicator often linked to continued upside.

Shares now sit above their key moving averages, suggesting strong momentum as Wall Street weighs the company’s earnings outlook and merger drama.

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X Stock: Golden Cross Fuels Bullish Momentum

X stock has decisively broken above its short- and long-term moving averages, reinforcing a bullish trend:

  • The stock trades at $41.06, well above its eight-day SMA (simple moving average) of $39.51, 20-day SMA of $38.42 and 50-day SMA of $37.56 – all flashing bullish signals.
  • Even its 200-day SMA of $37.40 is far behind, underscoring solid technical strength.

With this momentum, traders are watching whether X can break through resistance and extend gains.

Read Also: US Steel Faces Q1 Pressures, But Eyes Long-Term Gains From BR2 & Nippon Partnership

JPMorgan: Solid Foundation, But Merger Uncertainty Lingers

JPMorgan analyst Bill Peterson remains Overweight on X stock, with a $43 price target. The firm’s Q1 EBITDA guidance of $125 million was in line with estimates and stronger than mini-mill rivals like Steel Dynamics Inc STLD and Nucor Corp NUE.

However, challenges remain, including lagged pricing impacts, European demand weakness and start-up costs for its BRS2 expansion.

While the Nippon Steel Corp NISTF merger remains uncertain, Peterson sees US Steel’s valuation supported above $40 per share, suggesting any regulatory setback could create a dip-buying opportunity.

Billionaire Druckenmiller Bets Big On X Stock

Adding intrigue, hedge fund titan Stanley Druckenmiller has more than doubled his stake in US Steel, increasing his position by 143% last quarter. His bet comes as President Donald Trump hints at supporting the blocked Nippon deal—potentially reopening the door for a takeover.

See also  Insights into Social Security's 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment and Its Impact on RetireesThe Integral Role of Social Security COLA for Retirees

Retired Americans rely on their Social Security checks not just as a sheet of paper, but as a vital financial resource. Figures indicate that this leading retirement program was instrumental in lifting a significant portion of the elderly out of poverty, with 22.7 million individuals benefiting in 2022 alone. Among them, 16.5 million were aged 65 and above.

Statistics from a recent Gallup survey underscore the profound reliance on Social Security income, revealing that merely 11% of retirees can cover their expenses without it. Consequently, the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) announcement becomes a highly anticipated event, given its direct impact on the financial well-being of millions.

The Fundamentals of Social Security's COLA Mechanism

Since the mid-1970s, Social Security has employed the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as the yardstick for its COLA calculations. This index encapsulates eight major spending categories and a multitude of subcategories, thus providing a comprehensive snapshot of inflationary trends.

In contrast to the pre-1975 era of sporadic benefit adjustments at Congress's discretion, the current system ensures a transparent and structured approach to maintaining retirees' purchasing power. Furthermore, the exclusive use of trailing 12-month data from the third quarter for COLA computations adds a layer of precision to the process.

Understanding the 2025 COLA Predictions

Following a series of robust COLAs in recent years, forecasts for the 2025 adjustment are gaining clarity. Notable deviations from the historical trends have raised hopes among retirees, with three consecutive years witnessing above-average increases. Should the 2025 adjustment exceed 3%, it would signify a notable milestone, not seen in over three decades.

The release of the June inflation figures by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has prompted experts to fine-tune their predictions. The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) has cautiously raised its forecast to align with the two-decade average, while independent analyst Mary Johnson has adjusted her estimate downward, in light of the evolving inflationary landscape.

Social Security COLA Concerns for 2025 The Looming Storm: Social Security COLA Concerns for 2025

With a Golden Cross, strong buying momentum, and a billionaire-backed vote of confidence, US Steel’s next move could be explosive. Will the stock break out, or will regulatory uncertainty put a lid on the rally?

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