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POSCO Holdings: A Buy With External And Internal Tailwinds
Seeking Alpha· 2025-09-02 04:16
Group 1 - The article focuses on the Asia Value & Moat Stocks research service, which targets value investors looking for Asia-listed stocks with significant discrepancies between price and intrinsic value [1] - The service emphasizes deep value balance sheet bargains, such as net cash stocks and low price-to-book (P/B) stocks, as well as wide moat stocks that represent high-quality businesses [1] - The author provides a range of watch lists with monthly updates, specifically concentrating on investment opportunities in the Hong Kong market [1]
POSCO Inks MoU With CNGR for LFP Cathode Material Business
ZACKS· 2025-08-26 13:01
Group 1 - POSCO Future M has signed a memorandum of understanding with CNGR and FINO to expand its precursor production agreement into the lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cathode material business, focusing on constructing LFP production facilities and promoting their use in Energy Storage Systems (ESS) [1][7] - The global ESS market is predominantly composed of LFP batteries, which accounted for 80% of the market in 2023, due to their cost-effectiveness and longer lifespan compared to ternary batteries like nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) [2][7] - POSCO is diversifying its product portfolio beyond high-nickel NCMA and NCA batteries, developing lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) materials for entry-level electric vehicles (EVs) and conducting R&D on high-density LFP cathode materials to enhance energy performance and supply-chain competitiveness [3][7] Group 2 - PKX stock has experienced a decline of 14.3% over the past year, which is slightly better than the industry's decline of 17.4% [5] - PKX currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable outlook compared to other stocks in the Basic Materials sector [6]
Centrus Signs Agreement with KHNP and POSCO International for Potential Investment in American Uranium Enrichment
Prnewswire· 2025-08-25 23:14
Core Viewpoint - Centrus Energy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and POSCO International to explore investments for expanding its uranium enrichment plant in Piketon, Ohio, reflecting strong market demand for U.S.-owned uranium enrichment capabilities [1][2] Group 1: Agreement and Supply Expansion - The MOU aims to facilitate private sector capital for the potential expansion of Centrus' enrichment capacity in Ohio and includes an agreement to increase the supply volume of Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) under a previous contract signed in February 2025 [1][4] - The entire supply commitment, including expanded volumes, is contingent upon Centrus receiving necessary federal funding to build new LEU production capacity [2][3] Group 2: Market Context and Competition - Centrus is competing for funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to expand U.S. enrichment capacity, which is crucial for achieving economies of scale and competing against foreign state-owned enterprises that dominate the global uranium enrichment market [3][4] - Korea is identified as a significant potential export market for U.S. enriched uranium, with KHNP being the world's third-largest nuclear plant operator, currently operating 26 reactors and constructing four more [5] Group 3: Company Background and Capabilities - Centrus Energy is a trusted supplier of nuclear fuel and services, having provided over 1,850 reactor years of fuel since 1998, equivalent to more than 7 billion tons of coal [6] - The company is pioneering the production of High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium and is focused on restoring America's uranium enrichment capabilities to meet clean energy and national security needs [7]
POSCO and JSW Sign an Agreement to Explore Steel Plant in India
ZACKS· 2025-08-22 15:56
Group 1 - POSCO has signed a non-binding Heads of Agreement with JSW Steel to explore the establishment of a 6 million tons per annum integrated steel plant in India, combining POSCO's advanced technology with JSW's market presence [1][8] - The agreement outlines a proposed 50:50 joint venture, with a detailed feasibility study to determine the plant's location, investment structure, and resource requirements, with Odisha being a preferred site [2][8] - The partnership aims to align with India's self-reliance vision and create a globally competitive manufacturing hub for both domestic and export markets [3][8] Group 2 - PKX stock has experienced a decline of 15.7% over the past year, compared to the industry's decline of 19.2% [5] - PKX currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable outlook among analysts [6] - Other top-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials sector include Nutrien Ltd., Carpenter Technology Corporation, and CF Industries Holdings, with varying degrees of performance and earnings estimates [6][7][9][10]
Is Compass Minerals International (CMP) Outperforming Other Basic Materials Stocks This Year?
ZACKS· 2025-08-01 14:41
Group 1 - Compass Minerals (CMP) has significantly outperformed its peers in the Basic Materials sector, returning approximately 77.2% year-to-date compared to the sector average of 8.8% [4] - The Zacks Rank for Compass Minerals is currently 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on earnings estimates and revisions, with a 25% increase in the consensus estimate for full-year earnings over the past quarter [3] - Compass Minerals is part of the Chemical - Diversified industry, which has seen an average loss of 16.8% this year, further highlighting CMP's strong performance relative to its industry [5] Group 2 - The Basic Materials sector includes 238 individual stocks and holds a Zacks Sector Rank of 12 among 16 sector groups, indicating a relatively lower performance compared to other sectors [2] - Posco (PKX), another stock in the Basic Materials sector, has also outperformed with a year-to-date return of 26%, and it currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [4][5] - The Steel - Producers industry, to which Posco belongs, has a year-to-date gain of 18.4%, ranking 208 among industries, which is lower than the performance of Compass Minerals [6]
POSCO(PKX) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-31 07:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue for Q2 2025 reached KRW 17.6 trillion, with an operating profit of KRW 610 billion, marking growth for two consecutive quarters [3][9] - Operating profit margin improved from 3.9% to 5.7%, with EBITDA recorded at KRW 1.6 trillion [4][10] - Net debt decreased slightly quarter on quarter due to effective investment and working capital management [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Steel operating margin increased by 35.6% to KRW 610 billion, with improvements noted in both domestic and overseas steel operations [10][12] - The rechargeable battery materials segment faced increased deficits due to initial operational costs and falling lithium prices, although future losses are not expected to increase [7][10] - POSCO International showed robust performance, while POSCO E&C's overseas projects incurred additional costs leading to marginal decreases [10][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic market showed moderate improvements contributing to mill margin growth, while overseas steel operations in Indonesia and Vietnam diversified sales channels [4][13] - The lithium market is seen as opportune, with a significant joint investment in Argentina expected to generate synergies [8][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - POSCO is committed to ongoing efficiency improvements and restructuring of non-core assets, aiming to generate KRW 1 trillion in cash flow [11][12] - The company is focusing on high-value added steel products and has initiated projects for advanced technologies like HiRX, which is designated as a national strategic technology [16][17] - Future investments are planned in high-growth markets such as the U.S. and India, with a focus on premium products [80][81] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about sustaining profit levels into Q3 despite global tariff uncertainties [5][6] - The potential decrease in Chinese steel production is expected to positively impact POSCO's profits in the second half of the year [27] - The company anticipates that lithium prices will rebound, contributing to improved profitability in the rechargeable battery materials segment [36][67] Other Important Information - The sale of the POSCO Changjiegang Stainless Steel subsidiary is underway due to ongoing deficits from oversupply and local government policies in China [6][10] - The company is actively pursuing customer certifications and commercial production in its lithium business, with significant investments in new plants [7][21] Q&A Session All Questions and Answers Question: Steel market outlook and price negotiations - Management noted that while there are expectations of decreased production in China, domestic demand has increased, which is expected to positively impact profits [26][27] - Price negotiations in the automotive and shipbuilding industries are ongoing, with optimism about maintaining favorable terms despite raw material fluctuations [28][30] Question: Update on Indian joint venture and potential acquisitions - Discussions regarding the Indian joint venture are progressing, with environmental feasibility studies ongoing [31][32] - The potential acquisition of the Waiala steelmaker is under review, focusing on mining opportunities and renewable energy [33][34] Question: Lithium market developments - Management believes lithium prices will not fall below $8, with expectations of gradual increases in the coming years [36][67] Question: U.S. and European market strategies - The company plans to adapt to the U.S. market despite tariffs, with a focus on maintaining competitive pricing and exploring other regions [39][44] - In the European market, management anticipates limited volume increases due to quota restrictions but aims to keep prices competitive [46][47] Question: PZSS sale and product deficits - The sale of PZSS is progressing, with final details being negotiated, and management expects to cover losses through divestments [51][52] - Currently, there are hardly any steel products recording deficits due to restructuring efforts [55] Question: Lithium certification progress and safety incidents - Certification for lithium products is ongoing, with three customers already certified [59] - The impact of a safety incident in E&C is still being assessed, with potential effects expected in Q4 [61][62]
POSCO(PKX) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-31 07:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue for Q2 2025 reached KRW 17.6 trillion, with an operating profit of KRW 610 billion, marking growth for two consecutive quarters [3][9] - Operating profit margin improved from 3.9% to 5.7%, indicating a recovery in profitability [10][12] - EBITDA for the quarter was KRW 1.6 trillion, and cumulative CapEx for the first half was KRW 3.1 trillion [9][10] - Net debt decreased slightly quarter on quarter due to effective investment and working capital management [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Steel segment operating margin increased by 35.6% to KRW 610 billion, driven by improved mill margins from lower raw material costs [10][12] - The rechargeable battery materials segment faced increased deficits due to falling lithium prices and initial operational costs from new plants [10][22] - POSCO International showed robust performance in infrastructure, although overseas projects incurred additional costs leading to marginal decreases [10][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic market improvements contributed to the growth in mill margins, while overseas steel sales also increased quarter on quarter [4][10] - The lithium market is seen as opportune, with a recent joint investment in Argentina expected to generate significant synergies [8][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on restructuring non-core assets and improving operational efficiency through AI and robotics [14][15] - Ongoing projects include the development of high-value-added steel products and the HiRX technology for long-term strategic growth [16][17] - The company is exploring opportunities in high-growth markets such as the U.S. and India, with plans for local production plants [84][85] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about sustaining profit levels into Q3 despite global tariff uncertainties [5][10] - The company is monitoring the potential decrease in Chinese steel production, which could positively impact profits in the second half [28][29] - Future profitability in the lithium segment is contingent on market conditions and cost management [70][71] Other Important Information - The sale of the POSCO Changjiegang Stainless Steel subsidiary is underway, which will be removed from consolidated accounts upon completion [6][12] - The company is committed to ongoing restructuring efforts, aiming to generate KRW 1 trillion in cash flow [11][12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Steel market outlook and price negotiations - Management noted that while there are expectations of decreased production in China, domestic demand is increasing, which could positively impact profits [28][29] - Price negotiations in the automotive and shipbuilding sectors are ongoing, with expectations of slight upward adjustments due to anti-dumping tariffs [32][33] Question: Update on Indian joint venture and potential acquisitions - Discussions regarding the Indian joint venture are progressing, with environmental feasibility studies ongoing [34][35] - The company is exploring the acquisition of the Waiala steelmaker, focusing on mining opportunities and renewable energy [36][37] Question: Lithium market developments - Management anticipates a rebound in lithium prices, with expectations that prices will not fall below $8 [39][40] Question: Sales projections for U.S. and European markets - The company expects to maintain a small profit margin despite tariffs, with plans to explore other regions for sales [46][47] - The impact of anti-dumping tariffs on pricing strategies is being assessed, with a focus on maintaining competitiveness [48][49] Question: PZSS sale and product deficits - The sale of PZSS is progressing, with final details being negotiated, and management expects to cover losses through divestments [55][56] - Currently, there are few products recording deficits due to operational adjustments and facility shutdowns [58] Question: CapEx investment plans and potential losses - The CapEx investment plan remains unchanged, with no significant changes expected in the near term [77][78] - The company is confident in covering any potential EBITDA deficits through divestments and operational efficiencies [80][81]
POSCO(PKX) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Presentation
2025-07-31 06:00
POSCO Holdings 2025. Q2 Earnings Release July 31, 2025 Disclaimer This presentation was prepared and circulated to shareholders and investors to release information regarding the company's business performance prior to completion of auditing for the period pertaining to the 2nd quarter of 2025. Given that this presentation is based on unaudited financial statements, certain figures may be modified in the course of the audit process. This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements relating to t ...
POSCO Enters Agreement to Supply Graphite Anodes for EV Batteries
ZACKS· 2025-07-23 14:46
Core Insights - POSCO Future M has signed an agreement with a Japanese battery company to supply natural graphite anode materials for electric vehicle batteries, produced at its Sejong plant [1][6] - This partnership is part of POSCO's strategy to expand its global market presence and diversify its customer base, although specific details about the partner and scale of the agreement remain undisclosed [2][6] - The company is focused on establishing a comprehensive supply chain from raw materials to production, responding to supply chain diversification and trade regulations in the US and EU [3][6] Company Performance - Over the past year, PKX stock has decreased by 7.7%, while the industry has seen a decline of 21.4% [3] - POSCO Future M is actively working on commercializing silicon anode materials and enhancing its technological capabilities to improve competitiveness in the market [2][3]
POSCO E&C's KRW 1.5T Thai LNG Deal Win Showcases Design Expertise
ZACKS· 2025-07-17 13:56
Core Insights - POSCO's unit POSCO E&C has secured a KRW 1.5 trillion contract for the Gulf MTP LNG Terminal project in Thailand, enhancing its position in the global LNG sector [1][7] - The project involves constructing two 250,000 cubic meter LNG storage tanks, unloading facilities, and regasification systems with a capacity to process 8 million tons of LNG annually [1][7] - This terminal marks Thailand's first LNG terminal developed through a public-private partnership, led by Gulf Development and PTT Tank Terminal [2] Company Performance - POSCO E&C has a strong track record in Thailand, having executed over 20 projects since 2002, which distinguishes the company in the local construction industry [3] - The recent contract was won amid competition from major global firms from Japan, China, and Lebanon, highlighting POSCO E&C's extensive experience in LNG terminal projects [4] - In the past year, shares of POSCO (PKX) have decreased by 19.8%, while the industry as a whole has seen a decline of 25% [4]