POSCO Holdings is the holding company of the POSCO Group, and it earns money from the profits of the stakes it holds in subsidiaries including Korea's largest steelmaker POSCO, along with battery-materials (POSCO Future M), lithium (POSCO Argentina), energy and construction units. In the first quarter of 2026 it posted consolidated revenue of ₩17.8706 trillion, operating profit of ₩707.0 billion and net profit of ₩543.0 billion, lifting operating profit 24.4% from a year earlier, while the long-loss-making POSCO Future M turned to profit and the lithium unit sharply narrowed its loss. The key point to watch: the trough in the steel cycle is coinciding with the lithium and battery businesses turning profitable, so profit that was pressured last year has entered a recovery phase; but as a holding company, its profit can swing with subsidiary results and with raw-material costs and lithium prices, which bears watching.
At-a-glance assessment financial health · growth · profitability · valuation
- Operating profit barely covers the interest bill (interest coverage below 1x).
- Revenue fell 4.9% year over year (3-year trend: falling).
- Most recent quarter (Q1 2026) revenue was 2.5% higher than a year earlier.
- ROE is 1.2% (controlling-interest basis). It is below the sector average.
- Operating margin is 2.6%.
- The forward P/E sits below the sector median.
Ownership & governance As of 2025-12-31
Largest shareholder National Pension Service 7.96% (corporate)
Controlling bloc incl. related parties 7.96%
With the controlling bloc holding 8%, ownership is dispersed, leaving room for control-related or activist dynamics.
🔎 In-depth analysis
- POSCO Holdings is not a company that makes products directly but a holding company that owns stakes in POSCO Group subsidiaries.
- At the group's core is POSCO, Korea's No.
- 1 steelmaker (making steel products such as hot-rolled, cold-rolled and plate), joined by POSCO Future M, which makes battery materials (cathodes and anodes); POSCO Argentina and POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution, which mine and refine lithium; POSCO International in trading and gas energy; and POSCO E&C in construction.
- In other words, it earns money on two axes: one is the traditional business of making and selling steel, and the other is nurturing the materials that go into EV batteries and lithium, their feedstock.
- Because of this, POSCO Holdings' results are driven together by steel prices and raw-material costs and by lithium prices and battery demand.
- The latest close is ₩297,000 and the market cap is ₩23.5 trillion.
- The price sits below its 20-day line (₩336,925) and below its 60-day line (₩398,558).
- Trading under both its short- and medium-term moving averages, the trend is on the soft side.
- The RSI (an indicator that compares upward and downward momentum over the past 14 days on a 0-100 scale) is 31.6, a neutral level.
- The one-month change is -18.2%, the three-month change is -14.0%, and it stands -44.5% below its 52-week high.
- Its relative strength versus the KOSPI is 29 (on a 1-99 scale that weights recent returns against the index over the past year more heavily; higher means stronger than the market).
- That places it in roughly the top 72% of all stocks for strength.
- Over the past three months it lagged the index by 34.0%.
- Chart readings are best viewed alongside trading volume and disclosure dates.
- On last year's (2025) reported results, the P/E ratio (how many years of profit the price equals) is 35.79x, which looks high, but that reflects profit being heavily pressured at the trough of the steel downcycle.
- The metric worth noting instead is the P/B (price relative to the company's net assets), at just 0.43x.
- That means the price is less than half of net assets.
- However, a holding company books its stakes in subsidiaries at low historical cost, so the book net assets themselves are shown smaller than their actual holding value.
- In other words, a P/B of 0.43x may be an even lower valuation than it appears on the surface.
- The dividend yield is 3.3% and the dividend per share is ₩10,000.
- The finances are in a stable range, with a debt ratio (debt against equity) of 76.8%, and the current ratio (cash-like assets against debt due within a year) is a comfortable 188%.
- EV/EBITDA (debt-adjusted enterprise value divided by operating profit before depreciation) is a low 5.76x, so even accounting for debt the price is not heavy relative to earnings power.
- Over the past three years profit was on a clear downtrend.
- Net profit fell from ₩6.6172 trillion in 2021 to ₩657.7 billion in 2025, and operating profit came down from ₩9.2381 trillion in 2021 to ₩1.8271 trillion in 2025, the result of a slowing steel market coinciding with early-stage investment losses in the lithium and battery businesses.
- But the direction changed in 2026.
- First-quarter operating profit was ₩707.0 billion, up 24.4% year over year, and net profit was ₩543.0 billion, up 57.9%.
- POSCO Future M turned to profit on expanded cathode sales into new markets.
- The lithium unit POSCO Argentina posted its first monthly profit in March and is expected to post its first quarterly profit in the second quarter.
- In other words, the businesses that had been eating into profit through last year are turning profitable one by one.
- It is reasonable to see this year's profit as a recovery path past the trough, and while the trailing P/E on last year's results looks high, on a forward basis that reflects the profit recovery it becomes much lighter.
- Official announcements tied directly to profit have continued.
- On May 12, 2026 it decided on a cash and in-kind dividend, and the same May it announced a three-year (2026-2028) medium-term shareholder-return policy, targeting a return ratio of 35-40% based on adjusted controlling-interest net profit and combining stable dividends with treasury-stock buybacks and cancellations.
- In steel, it signed an agreement to build a joint production system of 6 million tons of crude steel with India's top steelmaker JSW Steel, laying a foothold for overseas growth.
- Meanwhile, a June 10 disclosure reported a serious industrial accident at a subsidiary, so safety and regulatory burdens are a point to note.
- The strength lies in three things overlapping.
- The steel market is passing its trough, battery materials have turned to profit, and the lithium business is on the cusp of its first quarterly profit.
- On top of this, a P/B below half of net assets, a dividend yield in the 3% range and a three-year shareholder-return policy form a valuation floor.
- The cautions are also clear.
- As a holding company, profit is driven by subsidiary results and equity-method gains and losses, and it swings with steel raw-material costs, exchange rates and lithium prices.
- Safety and regulatory issues such as a subsidiary's serious industrial accident are also a variable.
- In short, while steel recovery and the lithium and battery businesses continue turning profitable, the pressured profit and low asset value stand out and the stock is strong; conversely, if lithium prices turn down again or steel raw-material costs spike, the pace of profit recovery could slow.
🔎 Valuation vs peers Undervalued
Considered together with large domestic steel and materials stocks and the traits of a holding company; but for a holding company, a net-asset-value (NAV) view is more accurate than a simple P/E comparison.
| Peer | P/E | P/B | ROE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Steel | 0.00x | 0.19x | -0.04% |
| Poongsan | 11.71x | 0.75x | 6.40% |
| Korea Zinc | 27.01x | 1.91x | 7.09% |
The 36.6x trailing P/E on last year's results makes the valuation look inflated because profit was pressured at the trough of the steel downcycle. As an earnings-inflection stock, the forward figure is the true picture rather than the trailing one. Reflecting first-quarter operating profit and net profit rising 24% and 58% respectively and loss-making subsidiaries turning to profit, the forward multiple falls substantially. On an asset view too, the 0.43x P/B sits among steel peers (Hyundai Steel 0.19, Poongsan 0.76), but because it is a holding company the subsidiary stakes are booked at low cost, so the actual net asset value (NAV) is larger than book. Taking together the profit recovery and the low price relative to assets, we judge it an undervalued range. That said, the condition remains that lithium prices and steel raw-material costs will govern the pace of recovery.
Price history Close · MA20 · MA60
The latest close is ₩297,000 and the market capitalization is ₩23.5 trillion. The price sits below its 20-day moving average (₩336,925) and below its 60-day moving average (₩398,558). It is under both its short- and medium-term moving averages, so the trend looks subdued. The RSI (a supplementary indicator that gauges the strength of gains versus losses over the past 14 days on a 0-100 scale) is 31.6, a neutral level. The one-month change is -18.2%, the three-month change is -14.0%, and the position relative to the 52-week high is -44.5%. Relative strength versus the KOSPI is 29 (on a 1-99 scale, converted from returns against the index over the past year with more weight on recent performance; higher means stronger than the market). It is stronger than roughly 28% of all stocks. Over the past three months it lagged the index by 34.0%. Chart interpretation is best done alongside trading volume and the dates on which disclosures occur.
Relative performance stock vs index · start = 100
Excess return vs index · 3M -34.02% / 6M -39.37% / 12M -59.32%
Key metrics vs sector median
Valuation
The P/E of 35.79x is above the sector median (16.39x). The P/B of 0.42x is below the sector median (0.50x). That said, this P/E is based on last year's (trailing) results. With recent quarterly earnings up sharply, the trailing P/E can look higher than it really is, so a precise read is best done on this year's expected (forward) earnings.
Enterprise value (EV)
EV = market cap + net debt. It reflects cash and debt, so it captures the real cost of the whole business that market cap alone misses; lower multiples are cheaper relative to earnings or sales.
Intrinsic value (DCF estimate)
DCF (discounted cash flow) estimate — discount rate 10.1%, initial growth 10.0%→terminal 2.0%, 10-yr forecast, earnings-based. A reference range that shifts materially with assumptions.
Profitability & financials
Return on equity (ROE) is 1.2%, below the sector average (2.0%). The operating margin is 2.6%. The debt ratio is 76.8%, so the financial structure is stable.
Growth FY2025 · annual report (consolidated)
| Item | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $51.1B | $48.2B | $45.8B | -4.94% ↑ faster |
| Operating profit | $2.3B | $1.4B | $1.2B | -15.94% ↑ faster |
| Net profit | $1.1B | $725.7M | $435.9M | -39.94% ↓ slower |
| 5-year | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $50.6B | $56.2B | $51.1B | $48.2B | $45.8B |
| Operating profit | $6.1B | $3.2B | $2.3B | $1.4B | $1.2B |
| Net profit | $4.4B | $2.1B | $1.1B | $725.7M | $435.9M |
| Revenue CAGR | 4-yr avg -2.46% | ||||
Revenue fell 4.9% year over year (2023 ₩77.1 trillion → 2024 ₩72.7 trillion → 2025 ₩69.1 trillion), and the three-year trend is 'falling'. That said, the rate of decline narrowed from the prior year. Operating profit fell 15.9% year over year. That said, the decline narrowed. Over the 5 years on record, revenue compound annual growth (CAGR) is -2.5%. The two-year revenue CAGR is -5.3%. In the most recent quarter (Q1 2026), revenue was 2.5% higher than the same period a year earlier.
Latest quarterly results Q1 2026 · vs year-ago
Technical indicators
What stands out
- P/E and P/B are both low versus peers, so the price looks inexpensive relative to earnings and assets.
- The dividend yield, at 3.4%, is on the high side.
Points to watch
- Revenue fell 4.9% year over year (3-year trend: falling).
Recent news & events searched · sourced
- 2026-05-12DividendDecided on a cash and in-kind dividend. The dividend per share is about ₩10,000 for the year, corresponding to a dividend yield of about 3.3%.A stable dividend supports the downside. Whether shareholder returns continue through the profit-recovery phase is a point to watch. Source
- 2026-05-15EarningsFirst-quarter 2026 report filed. Consolidated revenue ₩17.8706 trillion, operating profit ₩707.0 billion (up 24.4% year over year), net profit ₩543.0 billion (up 57.9% year over year).Results that confirm passing the trough of the steel downcycle and the turn to profit in battery materials and lithium. The starting point of a profit-recovery path. Source
- 2026-05-15IRAnnounced a three-year (2026-2028) medium-term shareholder-return policy. Targets a return ratio of 35-40% based on adjusted controlling-interest net profit, combining stable dividends with treasury-stock buybacks and cancellations.Expectation of expanded shareholder returns tied to the profit recovery. A favorable factor for a re-valuation of the holding company. Source
- 2026-06-10UpdateDisclosed as a key management matter that a serious industrial accident occurred at a subsidiary.Possible safety- and regulation-related costs and oversight burden. A negative variable for near-term sentiment. Source
Figure cross-check computed ↔ external
Recent filings
- 2026-06-10Disclosure
- 2026-06-01Large-business-group status disclosure (amended)
- 2026-05-29Corporate governance report
- 2026-05-28Large-business-group status disclosure
- 2026-05-28Disclosure
- 2026-05-27Large-business-group status disclosure
- 2026-05-26Amended filing
- 2026-05-15PeriodicQuarterly report
- 2026-05-12DividendCash/stock dividend decision
- 2026-05-12DividendCash/stock dividend decision
- 2026-05-08Disclosure
- 2026-05-08OwnershipOfficers'/major-shareholders' holdings report
📖 Plain-language glossary — expand if you are new to this
- P/E
- How many times a year's net profit the price is worth (lower is cheaper relative to earnings). The P/E here is on trailing (last full-year) results; for companies whose earnings swing fast (memory chips and other cyclicals/high-growth), a forward P/E on this year's expected earnings is more accurate.
- P/B
- Price relative to net assets (equity). Around 1x means it trades near book value; below 1x means below book.
- P/S
- Price relative to a year's revenue — useful for growth companies with thin earnings.
- Net debt / EV
- Net debt = interest-bearing debt − cash. Negative means more cash than debt (net cash). EV (enterprise value) = market cap + net debt, closer to what it would cost to buy the whole business.
- EV/EBIT · EV/EBITDA · EV/Sales
- Enterprise value against operating profit (EBIT), EBITDA, or revenue. Unlike P/E these reflect debt and cash; lower is cheaper relative to earnings power or sales.
- FCF / FCF yield
- Free cash flow = operating cash − capex, the cash actually left over. FCF yield = FCF ÷ market cap; higher means more cash generated per unit of market value.
- Intrinsic value (DCF)
- Future free cash flow (or, for some capex-heavy but profitable names, forecast earnings) discounted to today to estimate per-share value. Because it shifts a lot with the discount-rate and growth assumptions, it is shown as a bear/base/bull range, and the basis and assumptions are disclosed in one line beneath it.
- ROE
- How much profit the company earns in a year on its equity (%). Higher means better returns on capital.
- EPS / BPS
- Earnings per share / net assets (book value) per share.
- Operating / net margin
- Profit left from the core business / final profit after tax and interest, per unit of revenue.
- Debt ratio
- Debt relative to equity (%). Higher means more reliance on borrowing (norms vary by sector).
- Current ratio
- Assets convertible to cash within a year against debt due within a year. Above 100% leaves some short-term headroom.
- Interest coverage
- How many times operating profit covers the interest owed. Below 1x means operating profit alone struggles to cover interest.
- Dividend yield / payout ratio
- The year's dividend as a % of today's price / the share of earnings paid out as dividends.
- Revenue CAGR
- Multi-year growth expressed as a single yearly average (compound annual growth rate).
- RSI (short-term signal)
- Whether recent price action is overheated or beaten down. Above 70 is overbought, below 30 oversold.
- MA20 / MA60 (moving averages)
- The 20- and 60-day average price. Price above them signals a firmer short-term trend.
- vs 52-week high
- How far below the past year's peak the price sits now (%).
All figures are for reference only; how they read varies by sector and over time.
Sources: Korea FSC market-price API (data.go.kr), OpenDART, KRX/KIND — public data only.
Bong Stocks presents public-data-based information for reference only. It is not investment advice and contains no target prices, ratings, or buy/sell recommendations. Verify independently before making any decision.