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 ...

Financial Data and Key Indicators Changes - In Q2 2025, sales declined by 8% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) to KRW 87 trillion, representing a 17% year-over-year (YoY) decline due to the seasonal off-peak period for smartphones and the termination of the LCD TV business [3][4] - Operating profit posted a loss of KRW 116 billion, influenced by the stronger Korean won and the end of the LCD TV business [3] - Cumulative sales for the first half of the year amounted to KRW 11.652 trillion, with an operating loss of KRW 82.6 billion, although operating loss improved by KRW 480.5 billion YoY [4] - Net income turned positive at KRW 89.8 billion, driven by improved foreign exchange gains and non-operating income [4] - EBITDA for Q2 stood at KRW 1.054 trillion, maintaining an EBITDA margin of approximately 19% for the seventh consecutive quarter [4] Business Line Data and Key Indicators Changes - Q2 shipment area decreased by 26% QoQ due to the termination of the LCD TV business, aligning with guidance of a mid-twenty percent decrease [5] - Average Selling Price (ASP) per square meter increased by 32% QoQ to $10.56, attributed to the exit from the LCD TV business [5] - TV revenue accounted for 20% of total sales, down two percentage points QoQ, while mobile and others declined to 28% due to weak panel shipments [6] - The automotive segment grew to 10% of total revenue, with the OLED portion increasing to 56% [7] Market Data and Key Indicators Changes - The smartphone business showed a meaningful shipment growth of over 20% YoY, with expectations to outperform last year's full-year performance [26] - The medium panel IT OLED segment is expected to address new high-end market demand, while the demand for medium-sized panel products is projected to grow slightly [30] - Large OLED panel shipments are expected to reach the mid-six million range, an increase over the previous year, with continuous growth in both panel shipments and set sales [34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to restructuring around OLED technology, focusing on technological differentiation, product quality enhancement, and cost innovation [10][11] - Investment in new OLED technology is planned, with a total investment amount of KRW 1.26 trillion over the next two years [19] - The company aims to solidify its leadership in the premium market with a diverse OLED panel lineup and improve profitability through cost improvements [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties but expressed confidence in performance improvement in the second half of the year [11][22] - The company expects a steep rebound in performance driven by expansion across both large and small OLED panel businesses [11] - Management emphasized the importance of establishing a cost structure that ensures stable profitability despite external changes [35] Other Important Information - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q2 amounted to KRW 1.666 trillion, with a debt ratio of 268% and net debt to equity ratio at 155%, both showing significant decreases [7][8] - CapEx for the year is expected to be in the low KRW 2 trillion range, similar to last year, with a focus on investment efficiency [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: OLED technology investment and future performance - The company is shifting focus from LCD to OLED, with a KRW 1.26 trillion investment planned for new OLED technology over two years [19][20] - Performance improvement is expected to continue, with a commitment to turning a profit for the full year of 2025 [22][23] Question: Smartphone business outlook and tablet OLED panel shipments - The smartphone business is expected to grow, with a meaningful shipment increase planned for the second half [26] - Tablet OLED shipments are anticipated to increase YoY, despite a sluggish global IT market [27][28] Question: Medium panel LCD business strategy and profitability - Demand for medium-sized panels is expected to grow slightly, with a focus on B2B and high-end areas to improve profitability [30][31] Question: Large OLED panel sales outlook and monitor opportunities - Large OLED panel shipments are on track to meet original plans, with expected growth in both panel shipments and set sales [34][35]

Financial Data and Key Indicators Changes - In Q2 2025, sales declined by 8% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) to KRW 87 trillion, representing a 17% year-over-year (YoY) decline due to the seasonal off-peak period for smartphones and the termination of the LCD TV business [5][6] - Operating profit posted a loss of KRW 116 billion, influenced by the stronger Korean won exchange rate and the end of the LCD TV business [5] - Cumulative sales for the first half of the year amounted to KRW 11.652 trillion, with an operating loss of KRW 82.6 billion, although operating loss improved by KRW 480.5 billion YoY [6] - Net income turned positive at KRW 89.8 billion, driven by improved foreign exchange gains and non-operating income [6] - EBITDA for Q2 stood at KRW 1.054 trillion, maintaining an EBITDA margin of approximately 19% for the seventh consecutive quarter [6] Business Line Data and Key Indicators Changes - Q2 shipment area decreased by 26% QoQ due to the termination of the LCD TV business, aligning with guidance of a mid-twenty percent decrease [7] - Average selling price (ASP) per square meter increased by 32% QoQ to $10.56, attributed to the exit from the LCD TV business [7] - TV revenue accounted for 20% of total sales, down two percentage points QoQ, while mobile and others declined to 28% due to weak panel shipments [8] - The IT segment recorded 42% of total sales, reflecting an increase driven by higher LCD IT panel shipments [8] - The automotive segment grew to 10% of total revenue, with the OLED portion of total revenue increasing to 56% [9] Market Data and Key Indicators Changes - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q2 amounted to KRW 1.666 trillion, with a significant decrease in essential operating capital [9] - The debt ratio stood at 268%, with net debt to equity ratio at 155%, representing significant decreases of 40 percentage points and 19 percentage points QoQ, respectively [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to restructuring around OLED technology, enhancing product quality, and reducing costs to strengthen core competitiveness [12][13] - Plans include expanding performance across both large and small/medium OLED panel businesses, with a focus on technological differentiation [13] - The company aims to solidify its leadership in the premium market with a diverse OLED panel lineup and improve profitability through cost innovations [15][16] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties and trade environment volatility but expressed confidence in performance improvement in the second half of the year [12][13] - The company expects a steep rebound in performance driven by broader profit improvements across OLED panel businesses [13] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong financial structure and achieving debt reduction targets ahead of schedule [13] Other Important Information - The company announced a KRW 1.26 trillion investment in new OLED technology, to be executed over the next two years [21][22] - CapEx for the year is expected to be in the low KRW 2 trillion range, similar to last year, with a focus on investment efficiency [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Future business performance related to OLED technology - The company is shifting away from LCD to focus on OLED, with a significant investment in new OLED technology to maintain a technological gap with competitors [20][21] Question: Outlook for smartphone business and panel shipments - The smartphone business is expected to show expanded performance, with a meaningful shipment growth of over 20% YoY [28] Question: Recovery in IT demand and operational plans for medium panel LCD business - Demand for medium-sized panel products is expected to grow slightly, with a focus on B2B and high-end areas to improve profitability [31][33] Question: Full year outlook for large OLED panel sales - Large OLED panel shipments are expected to reach the mid-six million range, with continuous growth in both panel shipments and set sales [35][36]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2025 was KRW 6,065.3 billion, representing a 15% increase year-over-year [4] - Operating profit was KRW 33.5 billion, an improvement of KRW 509.2 billion year-over-year, marking the first profit in Q1 for eight years, excluding the COVID pandemic period [4] - Q1 EBITDA was KRW 1,231.3 billion with an EBITDA margin of 20%, the highest since Q3 2021 [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Area shipment decreased by 19% quarter-on-quarter but increased by 1% year-over-year due to OLED TV and notebook panel shipment expansion [5] - ASP per square meter was $804, down 8% quarter-on-quarter, but the decline was mitigated by strong OLED performance [6] - Revenue share for mobile and others dipped 8 percentage points quarter-on-quarter to 34%, while IT segment revenue share increased by 7 percentage points to 35% [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - OLED products accounted for 55% of total revenue, an increase of 8 percentage points year-on-year, reflecting the company's shift towards an OLED-centric business model [8] - The company expects a mid-20% decline in area shipment for Q2 due to the discontinuation of the LCD TV business, while ASP per square meter is projected to rise by around 20% [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance core competitiveness in OLED technology and maintain a focus on cost efficiency and operational improvements [12][13] - Plans to respond to market changes include strengthening partnerships with global customers and expanding the OLED product portfolio, particularly in high-end segments [17][18] - Investment for 2025 is expected to be around mid- to low KRW 2 trillion, with a focus on maintaining a profit-centric operational stance [19][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged external uncertainties but noted tangible results from efforts to strengthen core competitiveness [12][13] - The company is closely monitoring market dynamics and is prepared to respond to changes, particularly in the smartphone and IT segments [14][15] - The auto business is expected to grow steadily, with a projected tripling of revenue in three years due to new technologies and expanding customer base [73][74] Other Important Information - Cash and cash equivalents stood at KRW 982.3 billion, which could increase to KRW 2,372.8 billion when including cash from the Guangzhou LCD plant [8] - The sale of the Guangzhou LCD TV plant is proceeding as planned, with payments being received according to the schedule [32][33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in downstream market due to US tariffs - Management is closely monitoring the situation and believes there are currently no critical issues in the supply chain or pricing pressures due to tariffs [29][31] Question: Update on the sale of the LCD TV plant - The sale proceeds remain unchanged, and the plant is operating at full capacity under CSOT [32][33] Question: Adjustments to business plan outlook - The company is maintaining its original business plan but is prepared for potential downstream market volatility [43][44] Question: Impact of competition on shipment volumes and ASP - Despite competition, the company has been able to expand volume through timely supply and cost innovations [44][45] Question: Strategies for large panel OLED business - The focus is on providing a differentiated product portfolio and stringent cost savings to enhance profitability [50][51] Question: Outlook for IT panel demand and competitiveness - The company expects growth in the OLED monitor market and aims to leverage technological strengths to maintain competitiveness [65][66] Question: Short-term and long-term outlook for the auto business - The auto business is expected to grow steadily, with a focus on new technologies and expanding customer base [73][74]