POSCO vs US HRC Steel: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

POSCO Holdings (005490.KO)

Q3 202617 Jun – 17 Aug 2026

▲5

POSCO pivots to lithium and low-carbon steel with major deals

UBS bullish on lithium, Buy rating on POSCO UBS says lithium bears are watching the wrong number, arguing battery output is outpacing EV growth on storage and exports. It maintains a Buy rating on POSCO, signaling that demand for POSCO's lithium business may be stronger than skeptics think, which supports the stock.
This is a new analyst view that directly boosts sentiment on POSCO's lithium growth story.
POSCO completes South Korea's largest electric arc furnace POSCO finished a KRW 600 billion electric arc furnace at Gwangyang that can cut carbon emissions by up to 75%. This advances its low-carbon steelmaking and high-value product plans, which could lower future carbon costs and open premium markets, supporting the stock.
This is a concrete new milestone in POSCO's decarbonization strategy that improves its long-term competitive position.
POSCO targets lithium and energy for 2035 growth At its CEO Investor Day, POSCO set a 2035 revenue target of KRW 187 trillion and operating profit of KRW 13.1 trillion, with lithium as the centerpiece. It plans to invest KRW 16.7 trillion in 2026-2028 and return about 10% of proceeds from stake sales via buybacks, which supports the stock.
This is a new long-term strategy with concrete financial targets and capital return plans that shape investor expectations.
POSCO signs DLE demo plant deal in Utah POSCO will fully fund and operate a direct lithium extraction demonstration plant in Utah with Anson Resources, validating its proprietary technology at industrial scale. Success could unlock a new low-cost lithium source, strengthening POSCO's position in the battery supply chain and supporting the stock.
This is a new partnership that advances POSCO's lithium extraction technology and potential commercial expansion.
POSCO enters LFP cathode market with major supply deal POSCO Future M signed a six-year deal to supply over 190,000 tons of LFP cathode materials from 2027, its first major LFP order. This diversifies beyond high-nickel cathodes and taps rising demand for energy storage in North America, supporting the stock.
This is a new large contract that expands POSCO's battery materials business and addresses a growing market.

July 202617 Jun – 17 Aug 2026

▲5

POSCO pivots to lithium and low-carbon steel with major deals

UBS bullish on lithium, Buy rating on POSCO UBS says lithium bears are watching the wrong number, arguing battery output is outpacing EV growth on storage and exports. It maintains a Buy rating on POSCO, signaling that demand for POSCO's lithium business may be stronger than skeptics think, which supports the stock.
This is a new analyst view that directly boosts sentiment on POSCO's lithium growth story.
POSCO completes South Korea's largest electric arc furnace POSCO finished a KRW 600 billion electric arc furnace at Gwangyang that can cut carbon emissions by up to 75%. This advances its low-carbon steelmaking and high-value product plans, which could lower future carbon costs and open premium markets, supporting the stock.
This is a concrete new milestone in POSCO's decarbonization strategy that improves its long-term competitive position.
POSCO targets lithium and energy for 2035 growth At its CEO Investor Day, POSCO set a 2035 revenue target of KRW 187 trillion and operating profit of KRW 13.1 trillion, with lithium as the centerpiece. It plans to invest KRW 16.7 trillion in 2026-2028 and return about 10% of proceeds from stake sales via buybacks, which supports the stock.
This is a new long-term strategy with concrete financial targets and capital return plans that shape investor expectations.
POSCO signs DLE demo plant deal in Utah POSCO will fully fund and operate a direct lithium extraction demonstration plant in Utah with Anson Resources, validating its proprietary technology at industrial scale. Success could unlock a new low-cost lithium source, strengthening POSCO's position in the battery supply chain and supporting the stock.
This is a new partnership that advances POSCO's lithium extraction technology and potential commercial expansion.
POSCO enters LFP cathode market with major supply deal POSCO Future M signed a six-year deal to supply over 190,000 tons of LFP cathode materials from 2027, its first major LFP order. This diversifies beyond high-nickel cathodes and taps rising demand for energy storage in North America, supporting the stock.
This is a new large contract that expands POSCO's battery materials business and addresses a growing market.

Latest17 Jun – 17 Aug 2026

▲5

POSCO pivots to lithium and low-carbon steel with major deals

UBS bullish on lithium, Buy rating on POSCO UBS says lithium bears are watching the wrong number, arguing battery output is outpacing EV growth on storage and exports. It maintains a Buy rating on POSCO, signaling that demand for POSCO's lithium business may be stronger than skeptics think, which supports the stock.
This is a new analyst view that directly boosts sentiment on POSCO's lithium growth story.
POSCO completes South Korea's largest electric arc furnace POSCO finished a KRW 600 billion electric arc furnace at Gwangyang that can cut carbon emissions by up to 75%. This advances its low-carbon steelmaking and high-value product plans, which could lower future carbon costs and open premium markets, supporting the stock.
This is a concrete new milestone in POSCO's decarbonization strategy that improves its long-term competitive position.
POSCO targets lithium and energy for 2035 growth At its CEO Investor Day, POSCO set a 2035 revenue target of KRW 187 trillion and operating profit of KRW 13.1 trillion, with lithium as the centerpiece. It plans to invest KRW 16.7 trillion in 2026-2028 and return about 10% of proceeds from stake sales via buybacks, which supports the stock.
This is a new long-term strategy with concrete financial targets and capital return plans that shape investor expectations.
POSCO signs DLE demo plant deal in Utah POSCO will fully fund and operate a direct lithium extraction demonstration plant in Utah with Anson Resources, validating its proprietary technology at industrial scale. Success could unlock a new low-cost lithium source, strengthening POSCO's position in the battery supply chain and supporting the stock.
This is a new partnership that advances POSCO's lithium extraction technology and potential commercial expansion.
POSCO enters LFP cathode market with major supply deal POSCO Future M signed a six-year deal to supply over 190,000 tons of LFP cathode materials from 2027, its first major LFP order. This diversifies beyond high-nickel cathodes and taps rising demand for energy storage in North America, supporting the stock.
This is a new large contract that expands POSCO's battery materials business and addresses a growing market.

US HRC Steel (STEEL.COMM)

Q3 202624 Jun – 10 Sep 2026

▲2▼1

AI and reshoring demand support steel, but Chinese oversupply caps gains

AI infrastructure drives steel demand AI data centers need heavy structural steel for server racks, floors, and cooling. With 831 projects under construction globally, this new demand supports US HRC prices, especially for modern electric-arc producers like Nucor and Steel Dynamics.
This is a major new source of demand that lifts steel prices.
Capital shifts to real economy, boosting steel A strategist says US capitalism is moving from buybacks to building real assets like steel, copper, and power. This reshoring and supply-chain trend means more investment in steel capacity and higher demand for US HRC.
It signals a broad shift that increases steel demand and investment.
USMCA talks create tariff uncertainty US and Mexico will hold a fourth round of USMCA talks in September. Progress on steel trade is positive, but unresolved issues like Section 232 tariffs (50% on steel) and US content rules keep uncertainty high, which can sway steel prices both ways.
Trade policy directly affects steel flows and prices, and the outcome is unclear.
Chinese oversupply weighs on steel prices Thailand's construction material index shows steel prices fell 0.6% in August due to excess Chinese supply. This global glut, with projected excess capacity of 745 million tons by 2028, pressures US HRC prices by keeping a lid on global benchmarks.
It is a key counterweight that limits price gains from demand.

August 202624 Jun – 10 Sep 2026

▲2▼1

AI and reshoring demand support steel, but Chinese oversupply caps gains

AI infrastructure drives steel demand AI data centers need heavy structural steel for server racks, floors, and cooling. With 831 projects under construction globally, this new demand supports US HRC prices, especially for modern electric-arc producers like Nucor and Steel Dynamics.
This is a major new source of demand that lifts steel prices.
Capital shifts to real economy, boosting steel A strategist says US capitalism is moving from buybacks to building real assets like steel, copper, and power. This reshoring and supply-chain trend means more investment in steel capacity and higher demand for US HRC.
It signals a broad shift that increases steel demand and investment.
USMCA talks create tariff uncertainty US and Mexico will hold a fourth round of USMCA talks in September. Progress on steel trade is positive, but unresolved issues like Section 232 tariffs (50% on steel) and US content rules keep uncertainty high, which can sway steel prices both ways.
Trade policy directly affects steel flows and prices, and the outcome is unclear.
Chinese oversupply weighs on steel prices Thailand's construction material index shows steel prices fell 0.6% in August due to excess Chinese supply. This global glut, with projected excess capacity of 745 million tons by 2028, pressures US HRC prices by keeping a lid on global benchmarks.
It is a key counterweight that limits price gains from demand.

Latest24 Jun – 10 Sep 2026

▲2▼1

AI and reshoring demand support steel, but Chinese oversupply caps gains

AI infrastructure drives steel demand AI data centers need heavy structural steel for server racks, floors, and cooling. With 831 projects under construction globally, this new demand supports US HRC prices, especially for modern electric-arc producers like Nucor and Steel Dynamics.
This is a major new source of demand that lifts steel prices.
Capital shifts to real economy, boosting steel A strategist says US capitalism is moving from buybacks to building real assets like steel, copper, and power. This reshoring and supply-chain trend means more investment in steel capacity and higher demand for US HRC.
It signals a broad shift that increases steel demand and investment.
USMCA talks create tariff uncertainty US and Mexico will hold a fourth round of USMCA talks in September. Progress on steel trade is positive, but unresolved issues like Section 232 tariffs (50% on steel) and US content rules keep uncertainty high, which can sway steel prices both ways.
Trade policy directly affects steel flows and prices, and the outcome is unclear.
Chinese oversupply weighs on steel prices Thailand's construction material index shows steel prices fell 0.6% in August due to excess Chinese supply. This global glut, with projected excess capacity of 745 million tons by 2028, pressures US HRC prices by keeping a lid on global benchmarks.
It is a key counterweight that limits price gains from demand.