Dec 19 (Reuters) - United States Steel ( X ) on Thursday

forecast a surprise loss for the fourth quarter, sending its

shares down nearly 5% in aftermarket trading.

The company expects an adjusted loss of between 29 cents and

25 cents for the quarter, compared with analysts' average

estimate of a profit of 16 cents, according to data compiled by

LSEG.

(Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya

Biswas

)