POSCO Holdings posts stronger steel profit but lithium weakness weighs on Q3 earnings
On November 02, 2026, POSCO Holdings reported third-quarter revenue of KRW 19.14 trillion, up 10.9% year over year, while operating profit rose 47.9% to KRW 940 billion in one reported account and KRW 945 billion in another. Net profit fell 1.8% to KRW 380 billion as lower lithium prices and losses in battery materials or other businesses offset stronger steel results. The company also warned that maintenance would temporarily reduce steel production during the fourth quarter and first quarter of 2027.
Why it matters
Stronger steel earnings improve the operating result, but lithium weakness and lower net profit leave battery-materials profitability as a drag on consolidated earnings. POSCO expects maintenance to reduce near-term production, while Spark rates the shares Neutral because of weak free cash flow and compressed profitability.
Key facts
- 1POSCO Holdings reported Q3 revenue of KRW 19.14 trillion, up 10.9% from a year earlier. en.yna.co.kr
- 2Q3 net profit was KRW 380 billion, down 1.8%, while operating profit was KRW 940 billion, up 47.9%. en.yna.co.kr
- 3Q3 net profit of KRW380 billion missed the KRW432.8 billion estimate. investing.com
- 4POSCO expects blast-furnace maintenance to reduce fourth-quarter production by about 430,000 tons. finance.yahoo.com
- 5January-September net profit doubled to 1.68 trillion won. en.yna.co.kr
- 6POSCO Holdings reported GAAP EPS of KRW 3047.00 and revenue of KRW 19141B. seekingalpha.com
Open questions
- Reported Q3 operating profit is KRW 945 billion in some materials and KRW 940 billion in others on the same basis.
- Materials differ on the main explanation for the net-profit decline, citing lower lithium prices, battery-material weakness, or one-off losses in nickel and hotel businesses.
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 9 of 9 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.