On April 25, 2001, in an Effort to Increase Shareholder

question 66

Essay

On April 25, 2001, in an effort to increase shareholder value, USX announced its intention to split U.S. Steel and Marathon Oil into two separately traded companies. The breakup gives holders of Marathon Oil stock an opportunity to participate in the ongoing consolidation within the global oil and gas industry. Holders of USX-U.S. Steel Group common stock (target stock) would become holders of newly formed Pittsburgh-based United States Steel Corporation. What other alternatives could USX have pursued to increase shareholder value? Why do you believe they pursued the breakup strategy rather than some of the alternatives?

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Definitions:

Equilibrium Price

The transaction price at which the quantity of goods on the market meets the quantity buyers want to purchase.

Equilibrium Quantity

The quantity of a good or service at which quantity supplied equals quantity demanded in the market.

Price System

An economic system where the prices of goods and services are determined by supply and demand, guiding the allocation of resources and goods.

Signals

Indicators or signs that provide information or hints, often used in the context of markets to indicate trends or investment opportunities.