Cleveland-Cliffs selects Posco of Korea as its new strategic partner.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 30 2025
0mins
Source: SeekingAlpha
New Strategic Partnership: Cleveland-Cliffs has named South Korean steelmaker Posco Holdings as its new strategic partner, aiming to enhance Posco's U.S. customer base and ensure compliance with U.S. trade requirements.
Future Announcements: A formal announcement regarding a definitive agreement is expected in Q4 2025 or Q1 2026, with the closing anticipated in 2026.
Shift in Strategy: This partnership marks a significant strategic shift for CEO Lourenco Goncalves, who previously opposed foreign acquisitions of U.S. steel companies.
Share Issuance and Debt Reduction: Cleveland-Cliffs plans to issue 75 million shares to reduce its debt, which is expected to decrease to approximately $7 billion following the share sale.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy PKX?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on PKX
About PKX
Posco Holdings Inc, formerly Posco, is a Korea-based company principally engaged in the manufacture and distribution of steel products. The Company operates its business through four segments. The Steel segment produces and sells steel products such as hot rolled steel, cold rolled steel, stainless steel, among others. The Trading segment engages in the global trade, including the export and import of steel products. The Engineering and Construction (E&C) segment plans, designs and builds industrial plants, civil engineering projects, commercial and residential buildings. The Other segment is engaged in the power plants, information and communication related services and other businesses.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Cleveland-Cliffs Reports Disappointing Q4 Results Amid Optimism for 2026
- Disappointing Performance: Cleveland-Cliffs reported flat sales in Q4, failing to meet analysts' expectations for mid-single-digit growth, resulting in a 25% drop in stock price despite a 50% increase over the past six months.
- Loss Exceeds Expectations: The company's quarterly loss was greater than anticipated, although it showed improvement compared to the previous year, highlighting ongoing challenges amid a sluggish automotive market and weak Canadian demand.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: CEO Lourenco Goncalves noted improvements entering 2026, having signed multi-year contracts with major automotive customers, reduced unit costs, extended debt maturities, and lowered capital expenditures, indicating proactive measures to address challenges.
- Expected Shipment Growth: Cleveland-Cliffs anticipates a shipment volume increase of about 3.4% in 2026, aligning with Nucor's 5% growth forecast, suggesting a recovery in steel demand, while investors await further details on strategic partnerships.
See More
POSCO Holdings Reports 39.4% Decline in FY2025 Net Income
- Net Income Decline: POSCO Holdings reported a net income of 660 billion won for FY2025, a significant 39.4% decrease compared to the previous year, indicating a notable weakening in profitability that may impact investor confidence moving forward.
- Operating Income Pressure: The pre-tax income from continuing operations was 1.11 trillion won, down 11.2% year-over-year, reflecting pressure on core business profitability that may necessitate strategic adjustments to address market challenges.
- Revenue Decrease: Operating income for FY2025 was 1.83 trillion won, a 15.7% decline, suggesting difficulties in sales and market demand that could hinder overall business growth prospects.
- Sales Drop: FY2025 sales totaled 69.09 trillion won, down 5.0% from last year, highlighting intensified market competition and weak demand, which may prompt the company to reassess its market strategies to regain growth.
See More
POSCO Holdings Reports FY 2025 Earnings Results
- Earnings Overview: POSCO Holdings reported a GAAP EPS of KRW 8,126 for FY 2025, with total revenue at KRW 69,095 billion, reflecting a 4.9% year-over-year decline, indicating resilience amid market fluctuations.
- Capital Allocation Strategy: The company emphasizes the importance of capital allocation, aiming to enhance long-term profitability through optimized resource distribution, despite facing short-term revenue challenges.
- Investment Activity: POSCO Holdings acquired a 30% stake in Mineral Resources' Australian lithium unit for $765 million, which not only strengthens its position in the lithium battery materials market but also provides strategic support for the future electric vehicle supply chain.
- Market Rating: Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating highlights POSCO Holdings' market performance, prompting investors to closely monitor its future financial results and strategic adjustments.
See More
POSCO Holdings to Announce FY Earnings on January 29
- Earnings Announcement: POSCO Holdings is set to release its FY earnings report on January 29 before market open, drawing significant attention from investors regarding its performance in the current economic climate.
- Earnings Expectations: The consensus EPS estimate stands at $3.81, with revenue expectations at $50.18 billion, indicating a cautious outlook from investors regarding the company's future growth potential.
- Estimate Revisions: Over the past three months, EPS estimates have seen no upward revisions and one downward revision, while revenue estimates have faced 18 downward revisions, reflecting market concerns about POSCO's future performance.
- Strategic Partnership: Recently, POSCO acquired a 30% stake in Mineral Resources' Australian lithium unit for $765 million, highlighting its strategic positioning in the lithium battery materials sector to enhance competitiveness in the growing renewable energy market.
See More
POSCO Holdings Partners with Yaskawa Electric to Enhance Automation in Mobility Parts Production
- Agreement Signing: POSCO Mobility Solutions, Yaskawa Electric, and POSCO DX signed a tripartite agreement on January 14 in Cheonan to accelerate advanced automation in global mobility parts operations, enhancing production efficiency.
- Robotic System Introduction: The new system will support the production of drive motor cores, expected to improve safety, reduce manual workload, and boost production speed, aiding the manufacturing of critical components for electric and hybrid vehicles.
- International Expansion: The automation rollout will cover plants in Cheonan and Pohang, as well as international facilities in Poland, Mexico, and India, further enhancing POSCO's competitiveness in the global market.
- Technical Integration and Support: POSCO DX will oversee system design and integration to ensure seamless compatibility with existing production lines, while Yaskawa will provide high-precision robots and technical support, facilitating the company's transition to intelligent factories.
See More
Moderna Inc (MRNA) Projects $1.9 Billion Revenue for 2025, Shares Surge 12.8%
- Revenue Forecast Increase: At the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Moderna announced an expected revenue of approximately $1.9 billion for 2025, which is $100 million above the previously communicated midpoint, enhancing investor confidence and driving stock price up.
- Operating Expense Improvement: The company also lowered its projected GAAP operating expenses for 2025 by $200 million, demonstrating improved cost control capabilities that lay a solid foundation for future profitability.
- Increased Cash Balance: Moderna anticipates an end-of-year cash balance of approximately $8.1 billion, providing strong support for the company's R&D and market expansion efforts, further solidifying its market position.
- Strong Stock Performance: Following the positive news, Moderna's stock surged 12.8% to $38.20 on Tuesday, reflecting market optimism regarding its future growth potential.
See More
Cleveland-Cliffs Reports Disappointing Q4 Results Amid Optimism for 2026
- Disappointing Performance: Cleveland-Cliffs reported flat sales in Q4, failing to meet analysts' expectations for mid-single-digit growth, resulting in a 25% drop in stock price despite a 50% increase over the past six months.
- Loss Exceeds Expectations: The company's quarterly loss was greater than anticipated, although it showed improvement compared to the previous year, highlighting ongoing challenges amid a sluggish automotive market and weak Canadian demand.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: CEO Lourenco Goncalves noted improvements entering 2026, having signed multi-year contracts with major automotive customers, reduced unit costs, extended debt maturities, and lowered capital expenditures, indicating proactive measures to address challenges.
- Expected Shipment Growth: Cleveland-Cliffs anticipates a shipment volume increase of about 3.4% in 2026, aligning with Nucor's 5% growth forecast, suggesting a recovery in steel demand, while investors await further details on strategic partnerships.
See More
POSCO Holdings Reports 39.4% Decline in FY2025 Net Income
- Net Income Decline: POSCO Holdings reported a net income of 660 billion won for FY2025, a significant 39.4% decrease compared to the previous year, indicating a notable weakening in profitability that may impact investor confidence moving forward.
- Operating Income Pressure: The pre-tax income from continuing operations was 1.11 trillion won, down 11.2% year-over-year, reflecting pressure on core business profitability that may necessitate strategic adjustments to address market challenges.
- Revenue Decrease: Operating income for FY2025 was 1.83 trillion won, a 15.7% decline, suggesting difficulties in sales and market demand that could hinder overall business growth prospects.
- Sales Drop: FY2025 sales totaled 69.09 trillion won, down 5.0% from last year, highlighting intensified market competition and weak demand, which may prompt the company to reassess its market strategies to regain growth.
See More
POSCO Holdings Reports FY 2025 Earnings Results
- Earnings Overview: POSCO Holdings reported a GAAP EPS of KRW 8,126 for FY 2025, with total revenue at KRW 69,095 billion, reflecting a 4.9% year-over-year decline, indicating resilience amid market fluctuations.
- Capital Allocation Strategy: The company emphasizes the importance of capital allocation, aiming to enhance long-term profitability through optimized resource distribution, despite facing short-term revenue challenges.
- Investment Activity: POSCO Holdings acquired a 30% stake in Mineral Resources' Australian lithium unit for $765 million, which not only strengthens its position in the lithium battery materials market but also provides strategic support for the future electric vehicle supply chain.
- Market Rating: Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating highlights POSCO Holdings' market performance, prompting investors to closely monitor its future financial results and strategic adjustments.
See More
POSCO Holdings to Announce FY Earnings on January 29
- Earnings Announcement: POSCO Holdings is set to release its FY earnings report on January 29 before market open, drawing significant attention from investors regarding its performance in the current economic climate.
- Earnings Expectations: The consensus EPS estimate stands at $3.81, with revenue expectations at $50.18 billion, indicating a cautious outlook from investors regarding the company's future growth potential.
- Estimate Revisions: Over the past three months, EPS estimates have seen no upward revisions and one downward revision, while revenue estimates have faced 18 downward revisions, reflecting market concerns about POSCO's future performance.
- Strategic Partnership: Recently, POSCO acquired a 30% stake in Mineral Resources' Australian lithium unit for $765 million, highlighting its strategic positioning in the lithium battery materials sector to enhance competitiveness in the growing renewable energy market.
See More
POSCO Holdings Partners with Yaskawa Electric to Enhance Automation in Mobility Parts Production
- Agreement Signing: POSCO Mobility Solutions, Yaskawa Electric, and POSCO DX signed a tripartite agreement on January 14 in Cheonan to accelerate advanced automation in global mobility parts operations, enhancing production efficiency.
- Robotic System Introduction: The new system will support the production of drive motor cores, expected to improve safety, reduce manual workload, and boost production speed, aiding the manufacturing of critical components for electric and hybrid vehicles.
- International Expansion: The automation rollout will cover plants in Cheonan and Pohang, as well as international facilities in Poland, Mexico, and India, further enhancing POSCO's competitiveness in the global market.
- Technical Integration and Support: POSCO DX will oversee system design and integration to ensure seamless compatibility with existing production lines, while Yaskawa will provide high-precision robots and technical support, facilitating the company's transition to intelligent factories.
See More
Moderna Inc (MRNA) Projects $1.9 Billion Revenue for 2025, Shares Surge 12.8%
- Revenue Forecast Increase: At the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Moderna announced an expected revenue of approximately $1.9 billion for 2025, which is $100 million above the previously communicated midpoint, enhancing investor confidence and driving stock price up.
- Operating Expense Improvement: The company also lowered its projected GAAP operating expenses for 2025 by $200 million, demonstrating improved cost control capabilities that lay a solid foundation for future profitability.
- Increased Cash Balance: Moderna anticipates an end-of-year cash balance of approximately $8.1 billion, providing strong support for the company's R&D and market expansion efforts, further solidifying its market position.
- Strong Stock Performance: Following the positive news, Moderna's stock surged 12.8% to $38.20 on Tuesday, reflecting market optimism regarding its future growth potential.
See More
