USX steel, oil units might not remain single for long.(United States Steel Corp. to spin off Marathon Oil Co.)(Brief Article)

DOWNTOWN - Soon-to-be free from its Pittsburgh tether, Houston-based Marathon Oil Co. may become the. target of an acquisition, according to the Wall Street rumor mill.

But what about United States Steel Corp.? Could it become a target? Or will it favor the role of acquirer?

According to USX Corp. chairman and CEO Thomas Usher, the corporation's plan to separate its energy and steel groups into freestanding companies will give both a better chance to grow, Mr. Usher told analysts that neither company has any pending merger plans.

But he left the door open.

"I think that, as you see happening in 'the oil business and you've certainly seen just this year happen in the steel business, …