What Happened?

POSCO Future M officially announced that it is in discussions with Ford for a multi-trillion won cathode material supply deal. Although specific details haven’t been finalized, the sheer scale of the negotiation has heightened market expectations.

Why Does It Matter?

This negotiation is crucial for securing POSCO Future M’s long-term growth engine. If the deal goes through, it could secure a stable sales channel, expand its presence in the US market, and benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This could be a key turning point for the company to overcome its sluggish performance in Q1 2025 and strengthen its fundamentals. However, it’s important to note that if the negotiations fall apart, it could lead to a drop in market expectations and a decline in stock price.

What’s the Potential Outcome?

  • Positive Scenario: Successful contract signing could lead to a surge in sales and operating profit, customer diversification, US market expansion, IRA benefits, and ultimately, a boost in stock price.
  • Negative Scenario: Failure of the deal could lead to a drop in market expectations and a decline in stock price. However, existing relationships with other clients could potentially mitigate the negative impact.

Additionally, macroeconomic factors such as the KRW/EUR exchange rate, US and Korean interest rates, raw material prices, and shipping indices can also influence POSCO Future M’s performance.

What Should Investors Do?

Investment decisions should consider the negotiation progress, Q1 2025 earnings, and macroeconomic indicators. It is crucial to respond quickly to future information releases and market changes. Closely monitoring the outcome of the negotiations with Ford and market conditions, while implementing risk management strategies such as diversified investment, is advisable.