Australia's BlueScope Steel eyes U.S acquisitions

MELBOURNE, Aug 18 (Reuters) - BlueScope Steel Ltd (BSL.AX), Australia's largest steel maker, said on Monday it would consider acquisitions to expand in the United States, particularly if some distressed businesses became available.

"Opportunistic acquisitions are something we would consider," Chief Executive Paul O'Malley told reporters, though there were no obvious candidates currently.

Earlier, BlueScope posted a 27 percent increase in full-year underlying profit, lifted by strong domestic demand and higher prices. ($1=A$1.15) (Reporting by Victoria Thieberger)