Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - POSCO Holdings recorded consolidated revenue of 17.3 trillion and operating profit of 640 billion, showing improvement in operating profit for three consecutive quarters despite losses at POSCO E&C [1][2] - The operating profit margin for the quarter was 6.6%, driven by increased sales volume and proactive cost-cutting efforts [1][8] - Operating profit for POSCO improved from 322 billion in Q4 of last year to 585 billion in Q3 of this year, despite a 1.7% drop in revenue due to declining sales prices [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the steel sector, production volume increased by 4.9%, but the average selling price dropped, leading to a decrease in revenue [8] - In rechargeable battery materials, losses narrowed sharply quarter-over-quarter due to increased cathode sales volume and a price rebound in lithium operations [2][10] - POSCO E&C faced significant one-time costs of 288.1 billion due to the Shenzhen incident, with an additional 230 billion expected in Q4 [10][64] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic steel market demand is slowing, with imports flooding the market prior to the AD ruling, impacting sales prices [8][20] - Overseas steel profits are expected to decline moderately due to poor performance in Mexico and India, while steady performance is anticipated in Indonesia and Vietnam [9][10] - The lithium market is projected to see increased demand, with expectations of 14 million EVs next year, leading to a potential increase in lithium prices [51][52] Company Strategy and Development Direction - POSCO Group is focused on creating a safe workplace through comprehensive safety management innovations and plans to establish a safety master plan [3][6] - The company aims to ramp up new plants and improve process efficiency in lithium operations while ensuring disciplined execution to avoid additional costs [2][31] - Future investments will prioritize environmental projects and overseas capacity additions, particularly in high-growth markets like the U.S. and India [30][31] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the complexities of external uncertainties affecting the operating environment and expressed optimism for a recovery in steel profits in 2026 [1][9] - The company is preparing for the implementation of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and is actively developing strategies to mitigate its impact [21][22] - Management expects to return to normal profitability levels in POSCO E&C by next year after accounting for one-time losses [10][64] Other Important Information - POSCO Group has restructured seven projects, generating 400 billion in cash, and completed 63 projects since early 2024, generating 1.4 trillion in cash [7] - The company is committed to enhancing safety measures and has launched a task force to improve workplace safety [4][5] Q&A Session Summary Question: Steel market outlook for Q4 and anti-dumping effects - Management indicated that the impact of anti-dumping measures would be difficult to assess immediately, but they expect some positive effects from the real estate market in late Q4 [19][20] Question: Response to carbon-related costs and EU regulations - Management acknowledged the potential increase in costs due to the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and emphasized ongoing communication with the EU to address uncertainties [21][22] Question: Update on Alaska LNG project and its impact - The project is under review, and if realized, it could supply about 300,000 tons of steel, with operations expected between 2026 and 2028 [24] Question: Mid to long-term steel strategies - Management confirmed plans to increase overseas capacity and shut down non-competitive domestic facilities while focusing on new growth areas [28][30] Question: Update on lithium operations and market demand - Management reported that ramp-up for lithium operations is expected to be completed by early next year, with anticipated increases in lithium prices and demand [55][59]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - POSCO Holdings reported consolidated revenue of 17.3 trillion KRW and operating profit of 640 billion KRW for Q3 2025, showing improvement in operating profit for three consecutive quarters [1] - The operating profit margin for the quarter was recorded at 6.6%, driven by increased sales volume and cost-cutting efforts, despite a 1.7% drop in revenue compared to the previous quarter [1][8] - Operating profit for POSCO specifically was 585 billion KRW in Q3, reflecting a continuous recovery pattern from previous quarters [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the steel sector, despite a decline in sales prices due to market saturation and increased imports, production volume increased by 4.9% [7][8] - In rechargeable battery materials, losses narrowed significantly quarter-over-quarter, with cathode sales volume nearly doubling due to the impending IRA benefit sunset [2][10] - POSCO E&C faced significant losses due to the Shenzhen line incident, with a one-time cost of 288.1 billion KRW recognized in Q3, and an additional 230 billion KRW expected in Q4 [10][49] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic steel market in Korea is normalizing, but the company anticipates challenges due to reduced EU duty-free quotas and increased tariffs on steel products [1][9] - Overseas steel profits are expected to decline moderately, particularly in Mexico and India, while steady performance is anticipated in Indonesia and Vietnam [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on ramping up new lithium plants and improving process efficiency, with a commitment to disciplined execution to avoid additional costs [2] - POSCO Group is implementing a comprehensive safety management plan to prevent future incidents and improve workplace safety [4][5] - The company is restructuring its portfolio, having completed 63 projects generating 1.4 trillion KRW in cash, and is prioritizing investments in high-growth markets such as the U.S. and India [6][25] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed that while the current operating environment is complex, they expect to return to normal profitability levels in 2026 after accounting for one-off losses [3][10] - The outlook for the steel market in 2026 is positive, with anticipated overall profit increases compared to the current year [9] - Management highlighted the importance of adapting to changes in carbon-related costs and trade regulations, particularly the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism [13][19] Other Important Information - The company is actively engaging in negotiations to secure more quotas in response to EU tariff increases and is adjusting its sales strategy to mitigate impacts from reduced quotas [47] - The company is also exploring potential M&A opportunities in sectors aligned with its long-term growth strategy [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Steel market outlook for Q4 and impact of anti-dumping measures - Management indicated that the impact of anti-dumping measures would be difficult to assess immediately due to prior imports and expected seasonal demand fluctuations [16][17] Question: Response to EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism - Management noted that while initial impacts may be minimal, costs are expected to rise in subsequent years, and they are developing guidelines to address these changes [18][19] Question: Investment plans and restructuring strategies - Management confirmed ongoing evaluations of investment opportunities in high-growth markets and emphasized the importance of maintaining competitiveness through facility upgrades and potential closures of underperforming assets [24][25] Question: Update on lithium operations and market demand - Management provided updates on the ramp-up of lithium operations, indicating that full operations are expected by early next year, with anticipated increases in demand driven by EVs [41][44]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - POSCO Holdings recorded consolidated revenue of KRW 17.3 trillion and operating profit of KRW 640 billion for Q3 2025, showing improvement in operating profit for three consecutive quarters [1][2] - The operating profit margin for the quarter was 6.6%, with a recovery in operating profit despite a 1.7% drop in revenue due to declining sales prices [2][11] - The average mill margin remained comparable to the previous quarter, supported by proactive cost-cutting efforts [1][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the steel segment, operating profit increased to KRW 585 billion in Q3 2025, despite a 4.9% increase in production volume and a decline in sales prices [10][11] - Rechargeable Battery Materials saw a significant narrowing of losses quarter-over-quarter, with cathode sales volume increasing ahead of the IRA benefit sunset [2][15] - POSCO E and C faced substantial losses due to the Shinansan line accident, with a one-time cost of KRW 288.1 billion recognized in Q3 [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic steel market in Korea is normalizing, although demand continues to slow, and imports have flooded the market prior to the AD ruling [2][11] - The proportion of exports in Q3 rose to approximately 49.3%, indicating a shift in sales strategy [12] - Overseas steel profits are expected to experience a moderate decline, particularly in Mexico and India, while performance in Indonesia and Vietnam remains steady [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on creating a safe workplace through group-wide safety management innovations following recent safety incidents [4][5] - POSCO Group plans to return to normal profitability levels in 2026 after accounting for one-off losses from the Shinansan incident [4][17] - Future investments will prioritize environmental projects and overseas capacity additions, particularly in high-growth markets like the U.S. and India [41][42] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism for the steel market in 2026, anticipating overall profit increases compared to the current year [13] - The company is preparing for the implementation of the EU's CBAM and is developing countermeasures to mitigate potential impacts [28][29] - Management highlighted the importance of adapting to changing market conditions and maintaining competitiveness through strategic investments [40][41] Other Important Information - POSCO Holdings has completed 63 portfolio management projects generating KRW 1.4 trillion in cash since early 2024 [9] - The company is actively restructuring its operations and focusing on safety improvements following recent incidents [5][8] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for the steel market in Q4 and next year? - Management indicated that the impact of anti-dumping measures will be difficult to assess immediately, but they expect some positive effects in the latter part of the year [24][25] Question: How will the company respond to carbon-related costs and regulations? - The company plans to develop guidelines to address the EU's CBAM and will continue efforts to reduce carbon footprints [28][29] Question: What are the investment plans following recent portfolio management? - Management stated that generated cash will be used for business growth and managing non-leverage assets, with ongoing reviews for potential acquisitions [66][67] Question: What is the current situation regarding lithium demand and pricing? - Lithium demand is expected to increase significantly, with projections for EVs and ESS driving growth [68][75] Question: How will the company handle the impact of the EU's duty-free quota reduction? - The company plans to negotiate individually with countries under FTA agreements and adjust sales strategies to mitigate impacts [77][78]

Financial Performance - POSCO HOLDINGS' Q3 2025 revenue was KRW 17261 billion, a decrease of KRW 295 billion compared to Q3 2024 [9] - The operating profit margin for Q3 2025 was 37%, an increase of 02% compared to Q2 2025 [9] - Net debt increased to KRW 11753 billion in Q3 2025, up from KRW 10924 billion in Q2 2025 [11] - Cumulative CAPEX administered by Q3 2025 was KRW 48 trillion on a consolidated basis and KRW 10 trillion separately [12] Segment Performance - The Steel sector's revenue in Q3 2025 was KRW 14730 billion, with an operating profit of KRW 656 billion [13] - POSCO's separate revenue in Q3 2025 was KRW 8797 billion, with an operating profit of KRW 585 billion [13] - The Rechargeable Battery Materials (RBM) sector, including POSCO FUTURE M, had a revenue of KRW 1000 billion but an operating loss of KRW 42 billion [13] - POSCO INTERNATIONAL's revenue in Q3 2025 was KRW 8248 billion, with an operating profit of KRW 316 billion [13] - POSCO E&C experienced a revenue of KRW 1408 billion and an operating loss of KRW 195 billion [13] Safety Initiatives - The company is implementing a "Safe Workplace Initiative" with the goal of setting the standard for industrial safety practices in Korea [14] - A Corporate Safety TF was established to plan and drive an integrated Group-wide Safety Master Plan [16] - The company is expanding worker engagement, ending the practice of outsourcing danger, and expanding AI safety technology [15] Portfolio Management - The portfolio management progress rate between Q3 2024 and Q3 2025 is 50%, with 63 projects completed and cash generation of KRW 14 trillion [22]

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 ...