We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
POSCO (PKX) Reverses to Earnings in '16, Revenues Fall Y/Y
Read MoreHide Full Article
Korean steel producer POSCO (PKX - Free Report) reported lower-than-expected bottom-line results for full-year 2016. The company’s net income was KRW 1,048 billion ($0.90 billion), against a loss of KRW 96 billion ($0.08 billion) recorded in the previous year. The improvement was primarily driven by cost reduction initiatives taken by the company.
Net earnings per share were KRW 3,002.9 or $2.59 per American Depository Receipt (“ADR”). The result came in below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.02 per ADR.
Revenues
In the year, POSCO’s revenues totaled KRW 53,084 billion ($45.7 billion), decreasing 8.8% year over year.
Crude steel production in the year totaled approximately 37.5 million tons, below roughly 38 million tons recorded in the previous year. Finished product sales grew 1% year over year.
Margins
In 2016, POSCO’s cost of sales declined 10.2% year over year. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of sales was 87.4% compared with 88.8% in the year-ago quarter. Gross profit margin expanded 140 basis points (bps) to 12.6%. Selling and administrative expenses decreased 6.8% to KRW 3,845 billion ($3.3 billion).
Operating profit increased 18% year over year to KRW 2,844 billion ($2.4 billion) while operating margin was up 130 basis points to 5.4%.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Exiting 2016, POSCO had cash balance of KRW 7,623 billion ($6.3 billion), decreasing 12.2% year over year. Non-current liabilities decreased 1.3% to KRW 15,009 billion ($12.4 billion).
Outlook
For 2017, POSCO anticipates consolidated revenues to be approximately KRW 54.8 trillion. Finished product sales are estimated to be roughly 34.6 million tons, while crude steel production is projected to be nearly 37 million tons. Consolidated investments are likely to be KRW 3.5 trillion.
In the year, the company anticipates continuing with its restructuring efforts, expecting to sell roughly five assets and consolidating 18 subsidiaries. Benefits from its restructuring initiatives are likely to total KRW 6.9 trillion.
With a market capitalization of $18.9 billion, POSCO sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Some other favorably ranked stocks in the industry include Olympic Steel, Inc. (ZEUS - Free Report) , United States Steel Corporation (X - Free Report) and AK Steel Holding Corporation . While both Olympic Steel and United States Steel sport a Zacks Rank #1, AK Steel Holding Corporation carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Olympic Steel, Inc.’s earnings estimates for 2017 have improved over the past 60 days.
United States Steel Corporation’s earnings estimates for 2017 have improved over the past 60 days.
AK Steel Holding Corporation reported better-than-expected results in the last four quarters, with an average positive earnings surprise of 166.34%. Also, earnings estimates for 2017 and 2018 have been revised upward in the last 60 days.
The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search
Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks – absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >>
Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker
Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time
Image: Bigstock
POSCO (PKX) Reverses to Earnings in '16, Revenues Fall Y/Y
Korean steel producer POSCO (PKX - Free Report) reported lower-than-expected bottom-line results for full-year 2016. The company’s net income was KRW 1,048 billion ($0.90 billion), against a loss of KRW 96 billion ($0.08 billion) recorded in the previous year. The improvement was primarily driven by cost reduction initiatives taken by the company.
Net earnings per share were KRW 3,002.9 or $2.59 per American Depository Receipt (“ADR”). The result came in below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.02 per ADR.
Revenues
In the year, POSCO’s revenues totaled KRW 53,084 billion ($45.7 billion), decreasing 8.8% year over year.
Crude steel production in the year totaled approximately 37.5 million tons, below roughly 38 million tons recorded in the previous year. Finished product sales grew 1% year over year.
Margins
In 2016, POSCO’s cost of sales declined 10.2% year over year. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of sales was 87.4% compared with 88.8% in the year-ago quarter. Gross profit margin expanded 140 basis points (bps) to 12.6%. Selling and administrative expenses decreased 6.8% to KRW 3,845 billion ($3.3 billion).
Operating profit increased 18% year over year to KRW 2,844 billion ($2.4 billion) while operating margin was up 130 basis points to 5.4%.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Exiting 2016, POSCO had cash balance of KRW 7,623 billion ($6.3 billion), decreasing 12.2% year over year. Non-current liabilities decreased 1.3% to KRW 15,009 billion ($12.4 billion).
Outlook
For 2017, POSCO anticipates consolidated revenues to be approximately KRW 54.8 trillion. Finished product sales are estimated to be roughly 34.6 million tons, while crude steel production is projected to be nearly 37 million tons. Consolidated investments are likely to be KRW 3.5 trillion.
In the year, the company anticipates continuing with its restructuring efforts, expecting to sell roughly five assets and consolidating 18 subsidiaries. Benefits from its restructuring initiatives are likely to total KRW 6.9 trillion.
POSCO Price and Consensus
POSCO Price and Consensus | POSCO Quote
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
With a market capitalization of $18.9 billion, POSCO sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Some other favorably ranked stocks in the industry include Olympic Steel, Inc. (ZEUS - Free Report) , United States Steel Corporation (X - Free Report) and AK Steel Holding Corporation . While both Olympic Steel and United States Steel sport a Zacks Rank #1, AK Steel Holding Corporation carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Olympic Steel, Inc.’s earnings estimates for 2017 have improved over the past 60 days.
United States Steel Corporation’s earnings estimates for 2017 have improved over the past 60 days.
AK Steel Holding Corporation reported better-than-expected results in the last four quarters, with an average positive earnings surprise of 166.34%. Also, earnings estimates for 2017 and 2018 have been revised upward in the last 60 days.
The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search
Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks – absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >>