Synopsis:
POSCO Holdings, South Korea's leading steelmaker, reported flat third-quarter net profits of $446.6 million. Sales and operating profit took a hit due to subdued global steel demand, falling short of market expectations. Despite this, the company plans to focus on more sustainable sectors, including battery materials and electric-vehicle components.
Article:
South Korea's top steelmaker, POSCO Holdings Inc., recently announced its third-quarter financial results, which have proven to be less than stellar. The company's net profit remained flat at $446.6 million, disappointing analysts who had higher expectations. Sales for the quarter were down by 10.4%, at $19 trillion, and the operating profit climbed 33.3% to $1.2 trillion, as mentioned in the company's official regulatory filing.
The numbers came as a surprise to the market, as the average estimate of net profit by analysts stood at $690.9 million. The company cites the overall decline in production and sales as a key reason for the lukewarm performance. This comes amid a sluggish global steel market that has been slow to recover.
On a quarter-over-quarter basis, POSCO's key financial indicators have also shown declines. Quarterly sales, operating profit, and net income registered decreases of 5.5%, 7.7%, and 25%, respectively. Despite these downward trends, POSCO's trading arm, POSCO International, did report some growth in operating profit. This was driven by higher sales in its gas and electricity-related business in Myanmar.
Looking ahead, POSCO has announced plans to expand its eco-friendly motor core factory in Gwangyang. The expansion aims to bolster its annual production capacity to 1 million metric tons by the year 2030. This indicates a strategic shift towards sectors that are not only more sustainable but also in high demand, like electric-vehicle components.
According to financial analysts, despite the recent downturn, POSCO’s strong earnings could allow for continued dividend payments. The company has consistently paid dividends for 31 years, with a current dividend yield of 1.76% as of 2023.
Conclusion:
POSCO's third-quarter financials show a company grappling with a sluggish steel market but also attempting to pivot toward more sustainable sectors. While the numbers might not paint the brightest picture, POSCO's planned investments indicate a strategic long-term vision. With a consistent dividend payment history, the company remains a reliable player, even as it navigates through these challenging times.
