POSCO Holdings showed a downward trend during the trading session on the 3rd. Even though securities firms evaluated the expansion of its lithium business, the monetization of stakes in listed subsidiaries, and a new dividend policy as factors to enhance mid- to long-term corporate value, profit-taking demand and deteriorating market investor sentiment dragged down the stock price.

As of the morning of that day, POSCO Holdings was trading at 307,500 won, down 10,000 won (3.15%) from the previous trading day.

■ Lithium Capacity Expansion and Profitability Guidance 'Positive'

In a report released that day, Meritz Securities positively assessed POSCO Holdings' mid- to long-term growth drivers. In particular, for the lithium business, the company cited the expansion of production capacity (CAPA) for high-profitability brine lithium and the provision of profitability guidance as factors for upward corporate valuation. It analyzed that the lithium business, a core material for electric vehicle batteries, would contribute to earnings improvement once it enters a full-fledged growth trajectory.

■ Expectations for Improved Capital Efficiency through Stake Monetization

The monetization of stakes in listed subsidiaries was also highlighted as a positive variable. The explanation is that converting assets that had acted as a discount factor in the market into cash would improve capital efficiency, and theoretically, an increase in market capitalization could also be expected.

■ Clearer Shareholder Return Policy

Investor attention has also focused on the new dividend policy. Meritz Securities predicted that the dividend amount itself would not differ significantly from before, but evaluated the presentation of a clearer shareholder return policy as a factor enhancing investment appeal.

■ Stock Price Remains Weak in the Short Term… Sentiment Recovery Is Key

Despite the positive analysis from the securities sector, the stock price could not avoid weakness that day. This is interpreted as being influenced by changes in investor sentiment across the steel and secondary battery materials sectors, as the domestic stock market continues to see differentiated trading among individual stocks.

The market views the future pace of lithium production expansion, raw material price trends, the recovery of the steel industry, and the concrete implementation of the shareholder return policy as key variables that will determine POSCO Holdings' corporate value and stock price trajectory.

[This article was written with the assistance of AI. This article does not constitute investment advice, and investment decisions and any resulting responsibility lie solely with the investor.]