POSCO Holdings operating profit jumps 48% in Q3

POSCO Holdings (NYSE:PKX) reported third-quarter 2026 operating profit of KRW 945 billion, up 47.9% year over year, as improved steel earnings supported its financial performance.

Consolidated revenue increased 10.9% to KRW 19.14 trillion from KRW 17.26 trillion, while net income declined 1.8% to KRW 380 billion from KRW 390 billion.

The company's steel division recovered operating profit to the KRW 400 billion range for the first time in four quarters, supported by higher selling prices and increased sales volumes despite rising raw material costs.

POSCO's standalone steel operations generated KRW 455.1 billion in operating profit, while the broader rechargeable battery materials division recorded an operating loss as lower global lithium prices and reduced seasonal production in Argentina weighed on performance.

The company reduced net debt by KRW 4.3 trillion and lowered its debt ratio by 6.7 percentage points, while its third-quarter operating profit increased 15.3% from the previous quarter; following the announcement, the POSCO Holdings share price movement was not independently verified.

POSCO Future M recorded consolidated operating profit of KRW 82.1 billion, while POSCO International generated KRW 400.7 billion in operating profit, supported by its gas production and Indonesian palm oil businesses.

POSCO Holdings continues to pursue its Triple Core strategy across steel, rechargeable battery materials and energy resources, including investments in automotive steel production, lithium processing and LNG-related assets.