Form 20-F
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 2016

 

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 20-F

(Mark One)

  ¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

  x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

OR

  ¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

  ¨ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report             

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-13368

POSCO

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

POSCO

  The Republic of Korea

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

  (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

POSCO Center, 440 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu

Seoul, Korea 06194

(Address of principal executive offices)

Kee, Hyojin

POSCO Center, 440 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu,

Seoul, Korea 06194

Telephone:  +82-2-3457-1355; E-mail: irenekee@posco.com; Facsimile:  +82-2-3457-1982

(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 

Title of Each Class

  Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing

one-fourth of one share of common stock

  New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

Common Stock, par value Won 5,000 per share *

  New York Stock Exchange, Inc. *

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

As of December 31, 2015, there were 79,995,648 shares of common stock, par value Won 5,000 per share, outstanding

(not including 7,191,187 shares of common stock held by the company as treasury shares)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  x        No   ¨

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ¨         No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x         No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨         No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x        Accelerated filer ¨         Non-accelerated filer ¨

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing.    U.S. GAAP  ¨        IFRS  x        Other  ¨

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.    Item 17  ¨         Item 18   ¨

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨         No  x

 

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

GLOSSARY

     1   

PART I

     2   

ITEM 1.

  IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGERS AND ADVISERS      2   
 

Item 1.A.

   Directors and Senior Management      2   
 

Item 1.B.

   Advisers      2   
 

Item 1.C.

   Auditor      2   

ITEM 2.

  OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE      2   
 

Item 2.A.

   Offer Statistics      2   
 

Item 2.B.

   Method and Expected Timetable      2   

ITEM 3.

  KEY INFORMATION      2   
 

Item 3.A.

   Selected Financial Data      2   
 

Item 3.B.

   Capitalization and Indebtedness      4   
 

Item 3.C.

   Reasons for Offer and Use of Proceeds      4   
 

Item 3.D.

   Risk Factors      5   

ITEM 4.

  INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY      21   
 

Item 4.A.

  

History and Development of the Company

     21   
 

Item 4.B.

   Business Overview      22   
 

Item 4.C.

   Organizational Structure      40   
 

Item 4.D.

   Property, Plants and Equipment      40   
 

Item 4.E.

   Unresolved Staff Comments      43   

ITEM 5.

  OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS      43   
 

Item 5.A.

   Operating Results      43   
 

Item 5.B.

   Liquidity and Capital Resources      74   
 

Item 5.C.

   Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.      78   
 

Item 5.D.

   Trend Information      78   
 

Item 5.E.

   Off-balance Sheet Arrangements      78   
 

Item 5.F.

   Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations      78   
 

Item 5.G.

   Safe Harbor      78   

ITEM 6.

  DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES      78   
 

Item 6.A.

   Directors and Senior Management      78   
 

Item 6.B.

   Compensation      82   
 

Item 6.C.

   Board Practices      82   
 

Item 6.D.

   Employees      84   
 

Item 6.E.

   Share Ownership      85   

ITEM 7.

  MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS      87   
 

Item 7.A.

   Major Shareholders      87   
 

Item 7.B.

   Related Party Transactions      87   
 

Item 7.C.

   Interests of Experts and Counsel      87   

ITEM 8.

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION      87   
 

Item 8.A.

   Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information      87   
 

Item 8.B.

   Significant Changes      89   

ITEM 9.

  THE OFFER AND LISTING      89   
 

Item 9.A.

   Offer and Listing Details      89   
 

Item 9.B.

   Plan of Distribution      91   
 

Item 9.C.

   Markets      91   


Table of Contents
 

Item 9.D.

   Selling Shareholders      96   
 

Item 9.E.

   Dilution      96   
 

Item 9.F.

   Expenses of the Issuer      96   

ITEM 10.

  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION      96   
 

Item 10.A.

   Share Capital      96   
 

Item 10.B.

   Memorandum and Articles of Association      96   
 

Item 10.C.

   Material Contracts      101   
 

Item 10.D.

   Exchange Controls      101   
 

Item 10.E.

   Taxation      105   
 

Item 10.F.

   Dividends and Paying Agents      110   
 

Item 10.G.

   Statements by Experts      110   
 

Item 10.H.

   Documents on Display      110   
 

Item 10.I.

   Subsidiary Information      111   

ITEM 11.

  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK      111   

ITEM 12.

  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES      113   
 

Item 12.A.

   Debt Securities      113   
 

Item 12.B.

   Warrants and Rights      113   
 

Item 12.C.

   Other Securities      113   
 

Item 12.D.

   American Depositary Shares      113   

PART II

     114   

ITEM 13.

  DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES      114   

ITEM 14.

  MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS      114   

ITEM 15.

  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES      114   

ITEM 16.

  [RESERVED]      116   
 

Item 16.A.

   Audit Committee Financial Expert      116   
 

Item 16.B.

   Code of Ethics      116   
 

Item 16.C.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services      116   
 

Item 16.D.

   Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees      116   
 

Item 16.E.

   Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers      117   
 

Item 16.F.

   Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant      117   
 

Item 16.G.

   Corporate Governance      117   
 

Item 16.H.

   Mine Safety Disclosure      119   

PART III

     119   

ITEM 17.

  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      119   

ITEM 18.

  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      119   

ITEM 19.

  EXHIBITS      119   


Table of Contents

GLOSSARY

 

“ADR”

   American Depositary Receipt evidencing ADSs.

“ADR depositary”

   Citibank, N.A.

“ADS”

   American Depositary Share representing one-fourth of one share of Common Stock.

“Australian Dollar” or “A$”

   The currency of the Commonwealth of Australia.

“Commercial Code”

   Commercial Code of the Republic of Korea.

“common stock”

   Common stock, par value Won 5,000 per share, of POSCO.

“deposit agreement”

   Deposit Agreement, dated as of July 19, 2013, among POSCO, the ADR Depositary and all holders and beneficial owners from time to time of ADRs issued thereunder.

“Dollars,” “$” or “US$”

   The currency of the United States of America.

“FSCMA”

   Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act of the Republic of Korea.

“Government”

   The government of the Republic of Korea.

“IASB”

   International Accounting Standards Board.

“IFRS”

   International Financial Reporting Standards.

“Yen” or “JPY”

   The currency of Japan.

“Korea”

   The Republic of Korea.

“Korean GAAP”

   Generally accepted accounting principles in the Republic of Korea.

“Gwangyang Works”

   Gwangyang Steel Works.

“We”

   POSCO and its consolidated subsidiaries.

“Pohang Works”

   Pohang Steel Works.

“POSCO Group”

   POSCO and its consolidated subsidiaries.

“Renminbi”

   The currency of the People’s Republic of China.

“Securities Act”

   The United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Securities Exchange Act”

   The United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“SEC”

   The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“tons”

   Metric tons (1,000 kilograms), equal to 2,204.6 pounds.

“U.S. GAAP”

   Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

“Won” or “

   The currency of the Republic of Korea.

Any discrepancies in any table between totals and the sums of the amounts listed are due to rounding.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1.  Identity of Directors, Senior Managers and Advisers

Item 1.A.  Directors and Senior Management

Not applicable

Item 1.B.  Advisers

Not applicable

Item 1.C.  Auditor

Not applicable

Item 2.  Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable

Item 2.A.  Offer Statistics

Not applicable

Item 2.B.  Method and Expected Timetable

Not applicable

Item 3.  Key Information

Item 3.A.  Selected Financial Data

The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report. The selected financial data in Won as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015 were derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

In addition to preparing financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report, we also prepare financial statements in accordance with Korean International Financial Reporting Standards (“K-IFRS”) as adopted by the Korean Accounting Standards Board (the “KASB”), which we are required to file with the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange under the FSCMA. English translations of such financial statements are furnished to the SEC under Form 6-K. During the three years ended December 31, 2015, we are required to adopt certain amendments and interpretations to K-IFRS, relating to presentation of operating profit. Additionally, under K-IFRS, revenue from the development and sale of certain real estate is recognized using the percentage of completion method. However, under IFRS as issued by the IASB, revenue from the development and sale of real estate is recognized when an individual unit of residential real estate is delivered to the buyer. As a result, our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and our consolidated statements of financial position prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report differ from our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of financial position prepared in accordance with K-IFRS. See “Item 5.A. Operating Results — Explanatory Note Regarding Presentation of Certain Financial Information under K-IFRS.”

 

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Table of Contents

The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations and should be read in conjunction with “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this annual report.

Selected consolidated statement of comprehensive income data

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,    

 

 
         2011             2012             2013             2014             2015             2015      
     (In billions of Won and millions of Dollars, except per share data)  

Revenue (1)

         68,890            63,345            61,766            64,759            58,522      US$     49,934   

Cost of sales (2)

     59,784        55,921        54,914        57,465        52,018        44,384   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     9,105        7,425        6,852        7,293        6,504        5,549   

Administrative expenses

     2,035        2,129        2,232        2,310        2,395        2,044   

Selling expenses

     1,612        1,679        1,632        1,760        1,729        1,475   

Other operating income

     307        448        229        269        549        468   

Other operating expenses

     367        809        651        980        1,442        1,231   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     5,398        3,255        2,566        2,513        1,486        1,268   

Share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investees, net

     51        (23     (180     (300     (506     (432

Finance income

     3,190        2,897        2,381        2,397        2,557        2,182   

Finance costs

     3,867        2,798        2,829        3,222        3,387        2,890   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before income tax

     4,773        3,332        1,938        1,388        150        128   

Income tax expense

     1,066        974        589        824        267        227   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit

     3,707        2,358        1,349        564        (116     (99

Total comprehensive income

     2,435        1,720        1,363        108        (278     (237

Profit (loss) for the period attributable to:

            

Owners of the controlling company

     3,641        2,437        1,371        633        171        146   

Non-controlling interests

     65        (79     (22     (69     (288     (245

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:

            

Owners of the controlling company

     2,524        1,887        1,439        182        24        20   

Non-controlling interests

     (89     (167     (75     (73     (302     (258

Basic and diluted earnings per share (3)

     47,138        31,552        17,338        7,514        1,731        1.48   

Dividends per share of common stock

     10,000        8,000        8,000        8,000        8,000     

Dividends per share of common stock (in Dollars) (4)

     US$    8.67        US$    7.47        US$    7.58        US$    7.28        US$    6.83     

Selected consolidated statements of financial position data

 

     As of December 31,     

 

 
         2011              2012              2013              2014              2015              2015      
     (In billions of Won and millions of Dollars)  

Working capital (5)

         13,942             11,993             11,681             10,833       9,148         US$    7,806   

Total current assets

     33,547         31,817         32,039         33,208             29,502         25,172   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     28,453         32,276         35,760         35,241         34,523         29,456   

Total non-current assets

     44,854         47,711         52,802         52,636         51,246         43,725   

Total assets

     78,401         79,527         84,841         85,844         80,748         68,898   

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term borrowings

     10,792         10,509         10,714         12,195         12,371         10,555   

Long-term borrowings, excluding current portion

     16,020         14,412         15,533         15,233         12,849         10,963   

Total liabilities

     37,679         37,133         39,060         40,586         35,735         30,490   

Share capital

     482         482         482         482         482         412   

Total equity

     40,722         42,394         45,781         45,257         45,013         38,407   

 

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Selected consolidated statements of cash flows data

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2011     2012     2013     2014     2015     2015  
     (In billions of Won and millions of Dollars)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

         1,692            7,319            4,858            3,412            7,602        US$    6,486   

Net cash used in investing activities

     (5,517     (6,169     (8,752     (3,745     (4,535     (3,869

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     4,900        (908     3,532        135        (2,242     (1,913

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     1,078        82        (472     (186     849        724   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

     3,521        4,599        4,681        4,209        4,022        3,432   

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

     4,599        4,681        4,209        4,022        4,871        4,156   

 

 

(1) Includes sales by our consolidated subsidiaries of steel products purchased by such subsidiaries from third parties, including trading companies to which we sell steel products.

 

(2) Includes purchases of steel products by our consolidated subsidiaries from third parties, including trading companies to which we sell steel products.

 

(3) See Note 36 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for method of calculation. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share was 77,251,818 shares as of December 31, 2011, 77,244,444 shares as of December 31, 2012, 78,009,654 shares as of December 31, 2013, 79,801,539 shares as of December 31, 2014 and 79,993,834 shares as of December 31, 2015.

 

(4) Translated into Dollars by applying the exchange rate at the end of the applicable year as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

 

(5) “Working capital” means current assets minus current liabilities.

EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

The following table sets out information concerning the market average exchange rate for the periods and dates indicated.

 

Period

   At End
of Period
     Average Rate  (1)      High      Low  
     (Per US$1.00)  

2011

     1,153.3         1,108.1         1,199.5         1,049.5   

2012

     1,071.1         1,126.9         1,181.8         1,071.1   

2013

     1,055.3         1,095.0         1,159.1         1,051.5   

2014

     1,099.2         1,053.2         1,118.3         1,008.9   

2015

     1,172.0         1,131.5         1,203.1         1,068.1   

October

     1,142.3         1,148.2         1,190.4         1,125.3   

November

     1,150.4         1,152.0         1,173.4         1,129.5   

December

     1,172.0         1,172.2         1,186.1         1,156.8   

2016 (through April 27)

     1,149.7         1,189.1         1,240.9         1,132.3   

January

     1,208.4         1,201.7         1,212.7         1,172.0   

February

     1,235.4         1,217.4         1,236.1         1,195.1   

March

     1,153.5         1,188.2         1,240.9         1,153.5   

April (through April 27)

     1,149.7         1,147.8         1,156.5         1,132.3   

 

Source: Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

 

(1) The average rate for each year is calculated as the average of the market average exchange rates on the last business day of each month during the relevant year (or portion thereof). The average rate for a month is calculated as the average of the market average exchange rates on each business day during the relevant month (or portion thereof).

Item 3.B.  Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable

Item 3.C.  Reasons for Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable

 

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Item 3.D.  Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the risks described below.

The global economic downturn may adversely affect our business and performance. The global economic outlook for the near future remains uncertain.

Our business is affected by highly cyclical market demand for our steel products from a number of industries, including the construction, automotive, shipbuilding and electrical appliances industries as well as downstream steel processors, which are sensitive to general conditions in the global economy. Macroeconomic factors, such as the economic growth rate, employment levels, interest rates, inflation rates, exchange rates, commodity prices, demographic trends and fiscal policies of governments can have a significant effect on such industries. From time to time, these industries have experienced significant and sometimes prolonged downturns, which, in turn, have negatively impacted our steel business. The global economic outlook for the near future remains uncertain, particularly in light of the slowdown of economic growth and financial instability in China and other major emerging market economies, fluctuations in oil and commodity prices, financial difficulties affecting governments in southern Europe and Latin America, and political and social instability in various countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa, including Iraq, Syria and Egypt, as well as in Ukraine and Russia. In particular, the Chinese economy, which in recent years has been one of the main demand drivers in the global steel industry, has experienced a slowdown in growth since 2012 and continues to show signs of deterioration, despite successive fiscal and monetary stimulus measures implemented by the Chinese government, including in the wake of a significant downturn in the Chinese equity markets commencing in June 2015.

An actual or anticipated further deterioration of global economic conditions may result in a decline in demand for our products that could have a negative impact on the prices at which they can be sold. In such a case, we will likely face pressure to reduce prices and we may need to rationalize our production capacity and reduce fixed costs. In the past, we have adjusted our crude steel production levels and sales prices in response to sluggish demand from our customers in industries adversely impacted by the deteriorating economic conditions. We recorded crude steel production of 38.3 million tons in 2013, 41.4 million tons in 2014 and 42.0 million tons in 2015. The average unit sales prices for our semi-finished and finished steel products were Won 998 thousand per ton in 2013, Won 936 thousand per ton in 2014 and Won 798 thousand per ton in 2015.

We expect that fluctuation in demand for our steel products and trading services to continue to prevail at least in the near future. We may decide to further adjust our future crude steel production or our sales prices on an on-going basis subject to market demand for our products, the production outlook of the global steel industry and global economic conditions in general. In addition, economic downturns in the Korean and global economies could result in market conditions characterized by weaker demand for steel products from a number of industries as well as falling prices for export and import products and reduced trade levels. Deterioration of market conditions may result in changes in assumptions underlying the carrying value of certain assets, which in turn could result in impairment of such assets, including intangible assets such as goodwill. In addition, our ability to reduce expenditures for production facilities and research and development during an industry downturn is limited because of the need to maintain our competitive position. If we are unable to reduce our expenses sufficiently to offset reductions in price and sales volume, our margins will suffer and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Korea is our most important market, and our current business and future growth could be materially and adversely affected if economic conditions in Korea deteriorate.

We are incorporated in Korea, and a substantial portion of our operations and assets are located in Korea. Korea is our most important market, accounting for 40.3% of our total revenue from

 

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steel products produced and sold by us in 2015. Domestic demand for our products is affected by the condition of major steel consuming industries, such as construction, shipbuilding, automotive, electrical appliances and downstream steel processors, and the Korean economy in general. In addition, the trading operations of POSCO Daewoo Corporation (“POSCO Daewoo”), our consolidated subsidiary in which we hold a 60.3% interest, are affected by the general level of trade between Korea and other countries, which in turn tends to fluctuate based on general conditions in the Korean and global economies. As a result, we are subject to political, economic, legal and regulatory risks specific to Korea. The economic indicators in Korea in recent years have shown mixed signs, and future growth of the Korean economy is subject to many factors beyond our control, including developments in the global economy.

Due to recent liquidity and credit concerns and volatility in the global financial markets, the value of the Won relative to the Dollar and other foreign currencies and the stock prices of Korean companies have fluctuated significantly in recent years. In particular, the global financial markets continue to experience significant volatility in light of the slowdown of economic growth in China and other major emerging economies as well as concerns regarding the financial difficulties affecting many governments worldwide, including southern Europe and Latin America, and low oil prices. In addition, political and social instability in various countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa, including Iraq, Syria and Egypt, as well as in Ukraine and Russia, has resulted in an increase in volatility in the global financial markets. Accordingly, the overall prospects for the Korean and global economies in the remainder of 2016 and beyond remain uncertain. Any future deterioration of the Korean or global economy could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Developments that could have an adverse impact on Korea’s economy include:

 

   

continuing adverse conditions in the economies of countries and regions that are important export markets for Korea, such as China, the United States, Europe and Japan, or in emerging market economies in Asia or elsewhere;

 

   

declines in consumer confidence and a slowdown in consumer spending;

 

   

adverse changes or volatility in foreign currency reserve levels, commodity prices (including oil prices), exchange rates (including fluctuation of the Dollar, the Euro or the Yen exchange rates or revaluation of the Renminbi), interest rates, inflation rates or stock markets;

 

   

the emergence of the Chinese economy, to the extent its benefits (such as increased exports to China) are outweighed by its costs (such as competition in export markets or for foreign investment and the relocation of the manufacturing base from Korea to China), as well as a slowdown of economic growth and financial instability in China;

 

   

increased sovereign default risk in select countries and the resulting adverse effects on the global financial markets;

 

   

increasing delinquencies and credit defaults by retail and small- and medium-sized enterprise borrowers;

 

   

the economic impact of any pending or future free trade agreements;

 

   

social and labor unrest;

 

   

substantial decreases in the market prices of Korean real estate;

 

   

a decrease in tax revenues and a substantial increase in the Government’s expenditures for fiscal stimulus measures, unemployment compensation and other economic and social programs that, together, would lead to an increased government budget deficit;

 

   

financial problems or lack of progress in the restructuring of Korean conglomerates, other large troubled companies, their suppliers or the financial sector;

 

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loss of investor confidence arising from corporate accounting irregularities and corporate governance issues concerning certain Korean conglomerates;

 

   

increases in social expenditures to support an aging population in Korea or decreases in economic productivity due to the declining population size in Korea;

 

   

geo-political uncertainty and risk of further attacks by terrorist groups around the world, including ISIS;

 

   

the occurrence of severe health epidemics in Korea and other parts of the world, such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in Korea in 2015;

 

   

deterioration in economic or diplomatic relations between Korea and its trading partners or allies, including deterioration resulting from trade disputes or disagreements in foreign policy;

 

   

political uncertainty or increasing strife among or within political parties in Korea;

 

   

hostilities or political or social tensions involving Russia and oil producing countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and any material disruption in the global supply of oil or increase in the price of oil;

 

   

the occurrence of severe earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters in Korea and other parts of the world, particularly in trading partners (such as the March 2011 earthquake in Japan, which also resulted in the release of radioactive materials from a nuclear plant that had been damaged by the earthquake); and

 

   

an increase in the level of tensions or an outbreak of hostilities between North Korea and Korea or the United States.

We rely on export sales for a significant portion of our total sales. Adverse economic and financial developments in Asia in the future may have an adverse effect on demand for our products in Asia and increase our foreign exchange risks.

Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad accounted for 59.7% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2015. Our export sales volume to customers in Asia, including China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, accounted for 63.0% of our total export sales revenue from steel products produced and exported by us in 2015, and we expect our sales to these countries, especially to China, to remain important in the future. Accordingly, adverse economic and financial developments in these countries may have an adverse effect on demand for our products. Economic weakness in Asia may also adversely affect our sales to the Korean companies that export to the region, especially companies in the construction, shipbuilding, automotive, electrical appliances and downstream steel processing industries. Weaker demand in these countries, combined with an increase in global production capacity, may also reduce export prices in Dollar terms of our principal products sold to customers in Asia. For a discussion of production over-capacity in the global steel industry, see “— We operate in the highly competitive steel, trading and construction industries, and our failure to successfully compete would adversely affect our market position and business.” We attempt to maintain and expand our export sales to generate foreign currency receipts to cover our foreign currency purchases and debt service requirements. Consequently, any decrease in our export sales could also increase our foreign exchange risks.

Depreciation of the value of the Won against the Dollar and other major foreign currencies may have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations and on the price of the ADSs.

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared from our local currency denominated financial results, assets and liabilities and our subsidiaries around the world, which are then translated

 

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into Won. A substantial proportion of our consolidated financial results is accounted for in currencies other than the Won. Accordingly, our consolidated financial results and assets and liabilities may be materially affected by changes in the exchange rates of foreign currencies. In 2015, 59.7% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us was in overseas markets outside of Korea. To the extent that we incur costs in one currency and make sales in another, our profit margins may be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the two currencies. Since the currency in which sales are recorded may not be the same as the currency in which expenses are incurred, foreign exchange rate fluctuations may materially affect our results of operations. Depreciation of the Won may materially affect the results of our operations because, among other things, it causes:

 

   

an increase in the amount of Won required for us to make interest and principal payments on our foreign currency-denominated debt;

 

   

an increase in Won terms in the costs of raw materials and equipment that we purchase from overseas sources and a substantial portion of our freight costs, which are denominated primarily in Dollars; and

 

   

foreign exchange translation losses on liabilities, which lower our earnings for accounting purposes.

Appreciation of the Won against major currencies, on the other hand, causes:

 

   

our export products to be less competitive by raising our prices in Dollar, Yen and Renminbi terms; and

 

   

a reduction in net sales and accounts receivables in Won from export sales, which are primarily denominated in Dollars and to a lesser extent in Yen and Renminbi.

We strive to naturally offset our foreign exchange risk by matching foreign currency receivables with our foreign currency payables and our overseas subsidiaries have sought to further mitigate the adverse impact of exchange rate fluctuations by conducting business transactions in the local currency of the respective market in which the transactions occur. In particular, POSCO Daewoo’s exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates, including the Won/Dollar exchange rate, is limited because trading transactions typically involve matched purchase and sale contracts, which result in limited settlement exposure, and because POSCO Daewoo’s contracts with domestic suppliers of products for export and with domestic purchasers of imported products are generally denominated in Dollars. Although the impact of exchange rate fluctuations is partially mitigated by such strategies, we and our subsidiaries, particularly POSCO Daewoo and POSCO Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (“POSCO E&C”), also periodically enter into derivative contracts, primarily foreign currency swaps and forward exchange contracts, to further hedge some of our foreign exchange risks. However, our results of operations have historically been affected by exchange rate fluctuations and there can be no assurance that such strategies will be sufficient to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of such fluctuations in the future. Because of the larger positive effects of the appreciation of the Won (i.e., the reverse of the negative effects caused by the depreciation of the Won, as discussed above), depreciation of the Won generally has a negative impact on our results of operations.

Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Won and the Dollar will also affect the Dollar equivalent of the Won price of the shares of our common stock on the KRX KOSPI Market and, as a result, will likely affect the market price of the ADSs. These fluctuations will also affect the Dollar conversion by the depositary for the ADRs of cash dividends, if any, paid in Won on shares of common stock represented by the ADSs.

We are dependent on imported raw materials, and significant increases in market prices of essential raw materials could adversely affect our margins and profits.

We purchase substantially all of the principal raw materials we use from sources outside Korea, including iron ore and coal. POSCO imported approximately 53.8 million dry metric tons of iron ore and

 

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28.3 million wet metric tons of coal in 2015. Iron ore is imported primarily from Australia, Brazil and Canada. Coal is imported primarily from Australia, Canada and Russia. Although we have not experienced significant unanticipated supply disruptions in the past, supply disruptions, which could be caused by political or other events in the countries from which we import these materials, could adversely affect our operations. In addition, we are particularly exposed to increases in the prices of coal, iron ore and nickel, which represent the largest components of our cost of goods sold. The prices of our key raw materials have fluctuated significantly in recent years. For example, the average market price of coal per wet metric ton (benchmark free on board price of Peak Downs Australian premium hard coking coal) was US$159 in 2013, US$126 in 2014 and US$102 in 2015. The average market price of iron ore per dry metric ton (Iron Ore 62% Fe, CFR China index announced by Platts) was US$126 in 2013, US$88 in 2014 and US$51 in 2015.

Our long-term supply contracts generally have terms of three to ten years and provide for periodic price adjustments to the then-market prices. We typically adjust the prices on a quarterly basis and maintain approximately one month of inventory of raw materials. Such price negotiations are driven by various factors, including the global economic outlook, global market prices of raw materials and steel products, supply and demand outlook of raw materials and production costs of raw materials. Typically, globally influenced buyers and sellers of raw materials determine benchmark prices of raw materials, based on which other buyers and sellers negotiate their prices after taking into consideration the quality of raw materials and other factors. In the case of iron ore, if we fail to agree on the quarterly price adjustment within a predetermined deadline, the supplier and we typically agree on the purchase price based on the price formula that reflects the spot market price as well as the quality of iron ore and transportation expense. As of December 31, 2015, 166 million tons of iron ore and 26 million tons of coal remained to be purchased under long-term supply contracts. Future increases in prices of our key raw materials and our inability to pass along such increases to our customers could adversely affect our margins and profits. Increased prices may also cause potential customers to defer purchase of steel products, while rapidly falling prices may increase loss on valuation of raw material inventory purchased when prices were higher, either of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We operate in the highly competitive steel, trading and construction industries, and our failure to successfully compete would adversely affect our market position and business.

Steel. The markets for our steel products are highly competitive and we face intense global competition. In recent years, driven in part by strong growth in steel consumption in the developing world, particularly in China, the global steel industry has experienced renewed interest in expansion of steel production capacity. China is the largest steel producing country in the world by a significant margin, with the balance between its domestic production and demand being an important factor in the determination of global steel prices. In addition, the global steel industry has experienced consolidation in the past decade, including through the merger of Mittal and Arcelor in 2006 that created a company with approximately 10% of global steel production capacity. Competition from global steel manufacturers with expanded production capacity such as ArcelorMittal S.A. and new market entrants, especially from China and India, has resulted in significant price competition and may result in declining margins and reductions in revenue. Our larger competitors may use their resources, which may be greater than ours, against us in a variety of ways, including by making additional acquisitions, investing more aggressively in product development and capacity and displacing demand for our export products.

The increased production capacity, combined with a decrease in demand due to the recent slowdown of the global economy, has resulted in production over-capacity in the global steel industry. In particular, increase in steel production in China has outpaced its domestic demand for steel products in recent years, which imbalance has been exacerbated by the recent slowdown in China’s economic growth rate. As a result, China has become an increasingly larger exporter of steel, which in turn has resulted in downward pressure on global steel prices. Production over-capacity in the global

 

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steel industry may intensify if the slowdown of the global economy is prolonged or demand from developing countries, particularly from China, continues to lag behind the growth in production capacity. Production over-capacity in the global steel industry is likely to:

 

   

reduce export prices in Dollar terms of our principal products, which in turn may reduce our sales prices in Korea;

 

   

increase competition in the Korean market as foreign producers seek to export steel products to Korea as other markets experience a slowdown;

 

   

negatively affect demand for our products abroad and our ability to expand export sales; and

 

   

affect our ability to increase steel production in general.

Steel also competes with other natural and synthetic materials that may be used as steel substitutes, such as aluminum, cement, composites, glass, plastic and wood. Government regulatory initiatives mandating the use of such materials instead of steel, whether for environmental or other reasons, as well as the development of attractive alternative substitutes for steel products, may reduce demand for steel products and increase competition in the global steel industry.

As part of our strategy to compete in this challenging landscape, we will continue to invest in developing innovative products that offer the greatest potential returns and enhance the overall quality of our products, as well as make additional investments in the development of new manufacturing technologies. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to continue to compete successfully in this economic environment or that the prolonged slowdown of the global economy or production over-capacity will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Trading. POSCO Daewoo competes principally with six other Korean general trading companies, each of which is affiliated with a major domestic business group, as well as global trading companies based in other countries. In the domestic market, competition for export transactions on behalf of domestic suppliers and import transactions on behalf of domestic purchasers was limited, as most affiliated general trading companies of large Korean business groups generally relied on affiliate transactions for the bulk of their trading business. However, in recent years, many of these Korean general trading companies have reduced their reliance on their affiliated business group and transactions carried out on behalf of their member companies and instead have generally evolved to focus on segments of the import and export markets in which they have a competitive advantage. As a result, competition among Korean general trading companies in the area of traditional trade has become more intense.

The overseas trading markets in which POSCO Daewoo operates are also highly competitive. POSCO Daewoo’s principal competitors in the overseas trading markets include Korean trading companies that operate in various international markets, as well as foreign trading companies, particularly those based in Japan. As POSCO Daewoo diversifies into businesses other than traditional trading such as natural resources development, it also increasingly competes with other Korean and international companies involved in these businesses. Some of POSCO Daewoo’s competitors may be more experienced and have greater financial resources and pricing flexibility than POSCO Daewoo, as well as more extensive global networks and wider access to customers. There is no assurance that POSCO Daewoo will be able to continue to compete successfully in this economic environment or that the prolonged slowdown of the global economy will not have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.

Construction. POSCO E&C, our consolidated subsidiary in which we hold a 52.8% interest, operates in the highly competitive construction industry. Competition is based primarily on price, reputation for quality, reliability, punctuality and financial strength of contractors. Intense competition among construction companies may result in, among other things, a decrease in the price POSCO

 

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E&C can charge for its services, difficulty in winning bids for construction projects, an increase in construction costs and difficulty in obtaining high-quality contractors and qualified employees.

In Korea, POSCO E&C’s main competition in the construction of residential and non-residential buildings, EPC (or engineering, procurement and construction) projects, urban planning and development projects and civil works projects consists of approximately ten major domestic construction companies, all of which are member companies of other large business groups in Korea and are capable of undertaking larger-scale, higher-value-added projects that offer greater potential returns. A series of measures introduced by the Government over the past few years to regulate housing prices in Korea, as well as increasing popularity of low-bid contracts in civil works project mandates, have contributed to increased competition in the Korean construction industry in recent years.

Competition for new project awards in overseas markets is also intense. In these markets, POSCO E&C faces competition from local construction companies, as well as international construction companies from other countries, including other major Korean construction companies with overseas operations. Construction companies from other developed countries may be more experienced, have greater financial resources and possess more sophisticated technology than POSCO E&C, while construction companies from developing countries often have the advantage of lower wage costs. Some of these competitors have achieved higher market penetration than POSCO E&C has in specific markets in which it competes, and POSCO E&C may need to accept lower margins in order for it to compete successfully against them. POSCO E&C’s failure to successfully compete in the domestic or overseas construction markets could adversely affect its market position and its results of operations and financial condition.

We may not be able to successfully execute our diversification strategy.

In part to prepare for the eventual maturation of the Korean steel market, our overall strategy includes securing new growth engines by diversifying into new businesses related to our steel operations that we believe will offer greater potential returns, such as participation in EPC projects in the steel sector and natural resources development, as well as entering into new businesses not related to our steel operations such as power generation and alternative energy solutions, and production of comprehensive materials such as lithium, nickel, magnesium and cobalt. From time to time, we may selectively acquire or invest in companies to pursue such diversification strategy. For example, in September 2010, we acquired a controlling interest in POSCO Daewoo for Won 3.37 trillion. POSCO Daewoo is a global trading company that primarily engages in trading of steel and raw materials as well as investing in energy and mineral development projects.

The success of the overall diversification strategy will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the growth opportunities and anticipated synergies. The realization of the anticipated benefits depends on numerous factors, some of which are outside our control, including the availability of qualified personnel, establishment of new relationships and expansion of existing relationships with various customers and suppliers, procurement of necessary technology and know-how to engage in such businesses and access to investment capital at reasonable costs. The realization of the anticipated benefits may be impeded, delayed or reduced as a result of numerous factors, some of which are outside our control. These factors include:

 

   

difficulties in integrating the operations of the acquired business, including information and accounting systems, personnel, policies and procedures, and in reorganizing or reducing overlapping operations, marketing networks and administrative functions, which may require significant amounts of time, financial resources and management attention;

 

   

unforeseen contingent risks or latent liabilities relating to the acquisition that may become apparent in the future;

 

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difficulties in managing a larger business; and

 

   

loss of key management personnel or customers.

Accordingly, we cannot assure you that our diversification strategy can be completed profitably or that the diversification efforts will not adversely affect our combined business, financial condition and results of operations.

Expansion of our production operations abroad is important to our long-term success, and our limited experience in the operation of our business outside Korea increases the risk that our international expansion efforts will not be successful.

We conduct international trading and construction operations abroad, and our business relies on a global trading network comprised of overseas subsidiaries, branches and representative offices. Although many of our subsidiaries and overseas branches are located in developed countries, we also operate in numerous countries with developing economies. In addition, we intend to continue to expand our steel production operations internationally by carefully seeking out promising investment opportunities, particularly in China, India, Southeast Asia and Latin America, in part to prepare for the eventual maturation of the Korean steel market. For example, in December 2013, PT. Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd., a joint venture company in Indonesia in which we hold a 70.0% interest, completed the construction of a steel manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of 3.0 million tons of plates and slabs. We may enter into additional joint ventures with foreign steel producers that would enable us to rely on these businesses to conduct our operations, establish local networks and coordinate our sales and marketing efforts abroad. To the extent that we enter into these arrangements, our success will depend in part on the willingness of our partner companies to dedicate sufficient resources to their partnership with us.

In other situations, we may decide to establish manufacturing facilities by ourselves instead of relying on partners. The demand and market acceptance for our products produced abroad are subject to a high level of uncertainty and are substantially dependent upon the market condition of the global steel industry. We cannot assure you that our international expansion plan will be profitable or that we can recoup the costs related to such investments.

Expansion of our trading, construction and production operations abroad requires management attention and resources. In addition, we face additional risks associated with our expansion outside Korea, including:

 

   

challenges caused by distance, language and cultural differences;

 

   

higher costs associated with doing business internationally;

 

   

legal and regulatory restrictions, including foreign exchange controls that might prevent us from repatriating cash earned in countries outside Korea;

 

   

longer payment cycles in some countries;

 

   

credit risk and higher levels of payment fraud;

 

   

currency exchange risks;

 

   

potentially adverse tax consequences;

 

   

political and economic instability; and

 

   

seasonal reductions in business activity during the summer months in some countries.

 

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We have limited insurance coverage and may incur significant losses resulting from operating hazards, product liability claims from customers or business interruptions.

The normal operation of our manufacturing facilities may be interrupted by accidents caused by operating hazards, power supply disruptions and equipment failures, as well as natural disasters. As with other industrial companies, our operations involve the use, handling, generation, processing, storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials, which may result in fires, explosions, spills and other unexpected or dangerous accidents causing property damage as well as personal injuries or death. We are also exposed to risks associated with product liability claims in the event that the use of the products we sell results in injury. We maintain property insurance for our property, plant and equipment that we believe to be consistent with market practice in Korea. However, we may not have adequate resources to satisfy a judgment in excess of our insurance coverage in the event of a successful claim against us. Any occurrence of accidents or other events affecting our operations could result in potentially significant monetary damages, diversion of resources, production disruption and delay in delivery of our products, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may from time to time engage in acquisitions for which we may be required to seek additional sources of capital.

From time to time, we may selectively acquire or invest in companies or businesses that may complement our business. In order to finance these acquisitions, we intend to use cash on hand, funds from operations, issuances of equity and debt securities, and, if necessary, financings from banks and other sources as well as entering into consortiums with financial investors. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain sufficient financing for such acquisitions or investments on terms commercially acceptable to us or at all. We also cannot assure you that such financings and related debt payment obligations will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

Further increases in, or new impositions of, anti-dumping, safeguard or countervailing duty proceedings may have an adverse impact on our export sales.

In recent years, we have become subject to a number of anti-dumping duties in the United States, Canada, the European Union, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Taiwan and Thailand and safeguard duties in Thailand and Malaysia. We are also subject to a number of on-going anti-dumping and safeguard investigations in the United States, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. In addition, the Mexican government initiated an anti-dumping investigation in October 2012 relating to our exports of cold rolled steel products, and the investigation was suspended until 2018 on condition that we comply with supply undertakings. Our products that are subject to anti-dumping, safeguard or countervailing duty proceedings in the aggregate currently do not account for a material portion of our total sales, and such proceedings have not had a material adverse impact on our business and operations in recent years. However, there can be no assurance that increases in, or new impositions of, anti-dumping duties, safeguard duties, countervailing duties, quotas or tariffs on our exports of products abroad may not have a material adverse impact on our exports in the future. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — Item 4.B. Business Overview — Markets — Exports.”

We participate in overseas natural resources exploration, development and production projects abroad, which expose us to various risks.

As part of consortia or through acquisitions of minority interests, we engage in overseas natural resources exploration, development and production projects in various locations, including a gas field exploration project in Myanmar, in which POSCO Daewoo had invested approximately US$1,891 million as of December 31, 2015 and plans to make further investments in the future.

 

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POSCO Daewoo began recognizing revenue from the Myanmar gas field project starting in November 2013. We may also selectively acquire or invest in companies or businesses that engage in such activities. As part of our efforts to diversify our operations, we intend to selectively expand our operations by carefully seeking out promising exploration, development and production opportunities abroad. To the extent that we enter into these arrangements, our success in these endeavors will depend in part on the willingness of our partner companies to dedicate sufficient resources to their partnership with us, as well as our ability to finance such investments.

The demand and market acceptance for such activities abroad are subject to a substantially higher level of uncertainty than our traditional steel business and are substantially dependent upon the market condition of the global natural resources industry as well as the political and social environment of the target countries. The performance of projects in which we participate may be adversely affected by the occurrence of military hostility, political unrest or acts of terrorism. In addition, some of our current exploration, development and production projects involve drilling exploratory wells on properties with no proven amount of natural resource reserves. Although all drilling, whether developmental or exploratory, involves risks, exploratory drilling involves greater risks of dry holes or failure to find commercial quantities of natural resources. Other risks to which such activities are subject include obtaining required regulatory approvals and licenses, securing and maintaining adequate property rights to land and natural resources, and managing local opposition to project development. A decrease in the market price of raw materials may also adversely impact the value of our investments related to natural resources projects. For example, in connection with our disposition of a minority interest in Nacional Minerios S.A., an iron ore mining company in Brazil in which we had invested in December 2008, we recognized Won 96 billion of impairment loss on assets held for sale in 2015 as well as an additional loss of Won 189 billion from our disposal of such assets in 2015. We have limited experience in this business, and we cannot assure you that our overseas natural resources exploration, development and production projects will be profitable, that we will be able to meet the financing requirements for such projects, or that we can recoup the costs related to such investments, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may encounter problems with joint overseas natural resources exploration, development and production projects and large-scale infrastructure projects, which may materially and adversely affect our business.

We typically pursue our natural resources exploration, development and production projects jointly with consortium partners or through acquisition of minority interests in such projects, and we expect to be involved in other joint projects in the future. We sometimes hold a majority interest in the projects among the consortium partners, but we often lack a controlling interest in the joint projects. Therefore, we may not be able to require that our joint ventures sell assets or return invested capital, make additional capital contributions or take any other action without the vote of at least a majority of our consortium partners. If there are disagreements between our consortium partners and us regarding the business and operations of the joint projects, we cannot assure you that we will be able to resolve them in a manner that will be in our best interests. Certain major decisions, such as selling a stake in the joint project, may require the consent of all other partners. These limitations may adversely affect our ability to obtain the economic and other benefits we seek from participating in these projects.

In addition, our consortium partners may:

 

   

have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with us;

 

   

take actions contrary to our instructions, requests, policies or objectives;

 

   

be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations;

 

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have financial difficulties; or

 

   

have disputes with us as to their rights, responsibilities and obligations.

Any of these and other factors may have a material adverse effect on the performance of our joint projects and expose us to a number of risks, including the risk that the partners may be incapable of providing the required financial support to the partnerships and the risk that the partners may not be able to fulfill their other obligations, resulting in disputes not only between our partners and us, but also between the joint ventures and their customers. Such a material adverse effect on the performance of our joint projects may in turn materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Cyclical fluctuations based on macroeconomic factors may adversely affect POSCO E&C’s business and performance.

In order to complement our steel operations, we engage in engineering and construction activities through POSCO E&C, a 52.8%-owned subsidiary. The construction segment is highly cyclical and tends to fluctuate based on macroeconomic factors, such as consumer confidence and income, employment levels, interest rates, inflation rates, demographic trends and policies of the Government. Although we believe that POSCO E&C’s strategy of focusing on high-value-added plant construction and urban planning and development projects such as Songdo New City has enabled it to be exposed to a lesser degree to general economic conditions in Korea in comparison to some of its domestic competitors, our construction revenues have fluctuated in the past depending on the level of domestic construction activity including new construction orders. POSCO E&C’s construction operations could suffer in the future in the event of a general downturn in the construction market resulting in weaker demand, which could adversely affect POSCO E&C’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Many of POSCO E&C’s domestic and overseas construction projects are on a fixed-price basis, which could result in losses for us in the event that unforeseen additional expenses arise with respect to the project.

Many of POSCO E&C’s domestic and overseas construction projects are carried out on a fixed-price basis according to a predetermined timetable, pursuant to the terms of a fixed-price contract. Under such fixed-price contracts, POSCO E&C retains all cost savings on completed contracts but is also liable for the full amount of all cost overruns and may be required to pay damages for late delivery. The pricing of fixed-price contracts is crucial to POSCO E&C’s profitability, as is its ability to quantify risks to be borne by it and to provide for contingencies in the contract accordingly.

POSCO E&C attempts to anticipate costs of labor, raw materials, parts and components in its bids on fixed-price contracts. However, the costs incurred and gross profits realized on a fixed-price contract may vary from its estimates due to factors such as:

 

   

unanticipated variations in labor and equipment productivity over the term of a contract;

 

   

unanticipated increases in labor, raw material, parts and components, subcontracting and overhead costs, including as a result of bad weather;

 

   

delivery delays and corrective measures for poor workmanship; and

 

   

errors in estimates and bidding.

If unforeseen additional expenses arise over the course of a construction project, such expenses are usually borne by POSCO E&C, and its profit from the project will be correspondingly reduced or eliminated. If POSCO E&C experiences significant unforeseen additional expenses with respect to its fixed price projects, it may incur losses on such projects, which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

 

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POSCO E&C’s domestic residential property business is highly dependent on the real estate market in Korea.

The performance of POSCO E&C’s domestic residential property business is highly dependent on the general condition of the real estate market in Korea. The construction industry in Korea is experiencing a downturn due to excessive investment in recent years in residential property development projects, stagnation of real property prices and reduced demand for residential property, especially in areas outside of Seoul. In addition, as liquidity and credit concerns and volatility in the global financial markets increased significantly starting in September 2008, there has been a general decline in the willingness by banks and other financial institutions in Korea to engage in project financing and other lending activities to construction companies, which may adversely impact POSCO E&C’s ability to meet its desired funding needs. The Government has taken measures to support the Korean construction industry, including easing of regulations imposed on redevelopment of apartment buildings and resale restrictions in the metropolitan areas, as well as reductions in property taxes. Although the Korean real estate market temporarily recovered in recent years, the overall prospects for the Korean real estate market in 2016 and beyond remain uncertain.

We are subject to environmental regulations, and our operations could expose us to substantial liabilities.

We are subject to national and local environmental laws and regulations, including increasing pressure to reduce emission of carbon dioxide relating to our manufacturing process, and our steel manufacturing and construction operations could expose us to risk of substantial liability relating to environmental or health and safety issues, such as those resulting from discharge of pollutants and carbon dioxide into the environment, the handling, storage and disposal of solid or hazardous materials or wastes and the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites. We may be responsible for the investigation and remediation of environmental conditions at currently and formerly operated manufacturing or construction sites. For example, we recognized provision expenses of Won 89 billion in 2014 and Won 2 billion in 2015 related to restoration costs of contaminated land near our magnesium plant in Gangneung, Korea, of which provision of Won 37 billion remained as of December 31, 2015. We may also be subject to associated liabilities, including liabilities for natural resource damage, third party property damage or personal injury resulting from lawsuits brought by the Government or private litigants. In the course of our operations, hazardous wastes may be generated at third party-owned or operated sites, and hazardous wastes may be disposed of or treated at third party-owned or operated disposal sites. If those sites become contaminated, we could also be held responsible for the cost of investigation and remediation of such sites, for any associated natural resource damage, and for civil or criminal fines or penalties.

Failure to protect our intellectual property rights could impair our competitiveness and harm our business and future prospects.

We believe that developing new steel manufacturing technologies that can be differentiated from those of our competitors, such as FINEX, strip casting and silicon steel manufacturing technologies, is critical to the success of our business. We take active measures to obtain protection of our intellectual property by obtaining patents and undertaking monitoring activities in our major markets. However, we cannot assure you that the measures we are taking will effectively deter competitors from improper use of our proprietary technologies. Our competitors may misappropriate our intellectual property, disputes as to ownership of intellectual property may arise and our intellectual property may otherwise become known or independently developed by our competitors. Any failure to protect our intellectual property could impair our competitiveness and harm our business and future prospects.

 

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We rely on trade secrets and other unpatented proprietary know-how to maintain our competitive position, and unauthorized disclosure of our trade secrets or other unpatented proprietary know-how could negatively affect our business.

We rely on trade secrets and unpatented proprietary know-how and information. We enter into confidentiality agreements with each of our employees and consultants upon the commencement of an employment or consulting relationship. These agreements generally provide that all inventions, ideas, discoveries, improvements and patentable material made or conceived by the individual arising out of the employment or consulting relationship and all confidential information developed or made known to the individual during the term of the relationship is our exclusive property. We cannot assure the enforceability of these types of agreements, or that they will not be breached. We also cannot be certain that we will have adequate remedies for any breach. The disclosure of our trade secrets or other know-how as a result of such a breach could adversely affect our business.

We face the risk of litigation proceedings relating to infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties, which, if determined adversely to us, could cause us to lose significant rights, pay significant damage awards or suspend the sale of certain products.

Our success depends largely on our ability to develop and use our technology and know-how in a proprietary manner without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties. The validity and scope of claims relating to technology and patents involve complex scientific, legal and factual questions and analysis and, therefore, may be highly uncertain. In addition, because patent applications in many jurisdictions are kept confidential for an extended period before they are published, we may be unaware of other persons’ pending patent applications that relate to our products or manufacturing processes. Accordingly, we face the risk of litigation proceedings relating to infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties. For example, in September 2015, we paid Won 299 billion to Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation to settle lawsuits alleging violation of trade secrets and seeking prohibition on production and sales of grain oriented electrical steel sheets. For a discussion of the claims and the settlement, see “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Legal Proceedings.”

The plaintiffs in actions relating to infringement of intellectual property rights typically seek injunctions and substantial damages. Although patent and other intellectual property disputes are often settled through licensing or similar arrangements, there can be no assurance that such licenses can be obtained on acceptable terms or at all. Accordingly, regardless of the scope or validity of disputed patents or the merits of any patent infringement claims by potential or actual litigants, we may have to engage in protracted litigation. The defense and prosecution of intellectual property suits, patent opposition proceedings and related legal and administrative proceedings can be both costly and time consuming and may significantly divert the efforts and resources of our technical and management personnel. An adverse determination in any such litigation or proceedings could subject us to pay substantial damages to third parties, require us to seek licenses from third parties and pay ongoing royalties or redesign certain products, or subject us to injunctions prohibiting the manufacture and sale of our products or the use of technologies in certain jurisdictions. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be exposed to potential claims for unpaid wages and become subject to additional labor costs arising from the Supreme Court of Korea’s interpretation of ordinary wages.

Under the Labor Standards Act, an employee is legally entitled to “ordinary wages.” Under the guidelines previously issued by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (formerly the Ministry of Labor), ordinary wages include base salary and certain fixed monthly allowances for overtime work performed during night shifts and holidays. Prior to the Supreme Court of Korea’s decision described below, we

 

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and other companies in Korea had interpreted these guidelines as excluding fixed bonuses that are paid other than on a monthly basis (such as bi-monthly, quarterly or biannually paid bonuses) from the scope of ordinary wages.

On December 18, 2013, the Supreme Court of Korea ruled that regularly paid bonuses, including those that are paid other than on a monthly basis, shall be deemed ordinary wages if these bonuses are paid “regularly” and “uniformly” on a “fixed basis” notwithstanding differential amounts based on seniority. The Supreme Court of Korea ruled that if regular bonus payments are limited to only those working for the employer on a specific date, such bonuses are not fixed and thus do not constitute part of ordinary wage. In addition, under this decision, any collective bargaining agreement or labor-management agreement that attempts to exclude such regular bonuses from ordinary wage will be deemed void for violation of the mandatory provisions of Korean law. However, the Supreme Court of Korea further ruled that an employee’s claim for underpayments under the expanded scope of ordinary wages for the past three years within the statute of limitations may be denied based on principles of good faith if (i) there is an agreement between the employer and employees that the regular bonus shall be excluded from ordinary wage in determining the total amount of wage, (ii) such claim results in further wage payments that far exceed the level of total amount of wage agreed between the employer and employees, and (iii) such claim would cause an unexpected financial burden to the employer leading to material managerial difficulty or a threat to the employer’s existence. The principles of good faith, however, do not apply to an agreement on wages entered into between the employer and employees after December 18, 2013, the date of the above decision of the Supreme Court of Korea.

In light of the Supreme Court of Korea’s decision above, the Ministry of Employment and Labor published its new guidelines (the “Guidelines”) on January 23, 2014. According to the Guidelines, the Government excludes, from ordinary wage, regular bonuses contingent on employment on a specific date. Based on the Supreme Court of Korea’s decision and the Guidelines, we believe that regular bonuses that we have paid to our employees are likely to be excluded from ordinary wage since we have paid regular bonuses to only those working for us on the initial date of payment calculation, the 15th day of each month. However, the Supreme Court decision may result in additional labor costs to us in the form of additional payments under the expanded scope of ordinary wages applicable in the past three years as well as to be incurred in the future, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Escalations in tensions with North Korea could have an adverse effect on us and the market value of our common shares and ADSs.

Relations between Korea and North Korea have been tense throughout Korea’s modern history. The level of tension between the two Koreas has fluctuated and may increase abruptly as a result of future events. In particular, since the death of Kim Jong-il in December 2011, there has been increased uncertainty with respect to the future of North Korea’s political leadership and concern regarding its implications for political and economic stability in the region. Although Kim Jong-il’s third son, Kim Jong-eun, has assumed power as his father’s designated successor, the long-term outcome of such leadership transition remains uncertain.

In addition, there have been heightened security concerns in recent years stemming from North Korea’s nuclear weapon and long-range missile programs as well as its hostile military actions against Korea. Some of the significant incidents in recent years include the following:

 

   

From time to time, North Korea has conducted ballistic missile tests. Most recently in February 2016, North Korea launched a long-range rocket in violation of its agreement with the United States as well as United Nations sanctions barring it from conducting launches that use ballistic missile technology. Despite international condemnation, North Korea released a statement that it intends to continue its rocket launch program.

 

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North Korea renounced its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in January 2003 and conducted three rounds of nuclear tests between October 2006 to February 2013, which increased tensions in the region and elicited strong objections worldwide. In January 2016, North Korea conducted a fourth nuclear test, claiming that the test involved its first hydrogen bomb, which claim has not been independently verified. In response to such test (as well as North Korea’s long-range rocket launch in February 2016), the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution in March 2016 condemning North Korea’s actions and significantly expanding the scope of the sanctions applicable to North Korea.

 

   

In August 2015, two Korean soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion near the Korean demilitarized zone. Claiming the landmines were set by North Koreans, the Korean army re-initiated its propaganda program toward North Korea utilizing loudspeakers near the demilitarized zone. In retaliation, the North Korean army fired artillery rounds on the loudspeakers, resulting in the highest level of military readiness for both Koreas. High-ranking officials from North Korea and Korea subsequently entered into an agreement on August 25, 2015 intended to diffuse military tensions.

 

   

In March 2010, a Korean naval vessel was destroyed by an underwater explosion, killing many of the crewmen on board. The Government formally accused North Korea of causing the sinking, while North Korea denied responsibility. Moreover, in November 2010, North Korea fired more than one hundred artillery shells that hit Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island near the Northern Limit Line, which acts as the de facto maritime boundary between Korea and North Korea on the west coast of the Korean peninsula, causing casualties and significant property damage. The Government condemned North Korea for the attack and vowed stern retaliation should there be further provocation.

North Korea’s economy also faces severe challenges that may aggravate social and political pressures within North Korea. There can be no assurance that the level of tensions affecting the Korean peninsula will not escalate in the future. Any further increase in tensions, which may occur, for example, if North Korea experiences a leadership crisis, high-level contacts between Korea and North Korea break down or military hostilities occur, could have a material adverse effect on the Korean economy and on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If you surrender your ADRs to withdraw shares of our common stock, you may not be allowed to deposit the shares again to obtain ADRs.

Under the deposit agreement, holders of shares of our common stock may deposit those shares with the ADR depositary’s custodian in Korea and obtain ADRs, and holders of ADRs may surrender ADRs to the ADR depositary and receive shares of our common stock. However, under current Korean laws and regulations, the depositary bank is required to obtain our prior consent for the number of shares to be deposited in any given proposed deposit that exceeds the difference between (i) the aggregate number of shares deposited by us for the issuance of ADSs (including deposits in connection with the initial and all subsequent offerings of ADSs and stock dividends or other distributions related to these ADSs) and (ii) the number of shares on deposit with the depositary bank at the time of such proposed deposit. It is possible that we may not give the consent. As a result, if you surrender ADRs and withdraw shares of common stock, you may not be able to deposit the shares again to obtain ADRs. See “Item 10. Additional Information — Item 10.D. Exchange Controls.”

You may not be able to exercise preemptive rights for additional shares of common stock and may suffer dilution of your equity interest in us.

The Commercial Code and our articles of incorporation require us, with some exceptions, to offer shareholders the right to subscribe for new shares in proportion to their existing ownership percentage whenever new shares are issued. If we issue new shares to persons other than our

 

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shareholders (See “Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association — Preemptive Rights and Issuance of Additional Shares”), a holder of our ADSs will experience dilution of such holding. If none of these exceptions is available, we will be required to grant preemptive rights when issuing additional common shares under Korean law. Under the deposit agreement governing the ADSs, if we offer any rights to subscribe for additional shares of our common stock or any rights of any other nature, the ADR depositary, after consultation with us, may make the rights available to you or use reasonable efforts to dispose of the rights on your behalf and make the net proceeds available to you. The ADR depositary, however, is not required to make available to you any rights to purchase any additional shares unless it deems that doing so is lawful and feasible and:

 

   

a registration statement filed by us under the Securities Act is in effect with respect to those shares; or

 

   

the offering and sale of those shares is exempt from or is not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

We are under no obligation to file any registration statement under the Securities Act to enable you to exercise preemptive rights in respect of the common shares underlying the ADSs, and we cannot assure you that any registration statement would be filed or that an exemption from the registration requirement under the Securities Act would be available. Accordingly, if a registration statement is required for you to exercise preemptive rights but is not filed by us, you will not be able to exercise your preemptive rights for additional shares and may suffer dilution of your equity interest in us.

U.S. investors may have difficulty enforcing civil liabilities against us and our directors and senior management.

We are incorporated in Korea with our principal executive offices located in Seoul. The majority of our directors and senior management are residents of jurisdictions outside the United States, and the majority of our assets and the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, U.S. investors may find it difficult to effect service of process within the United States upon us or such persons or to enforce outside the United States judgments obtained against us or such persons in U.S. courts, including actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. It may also be difficult for an investor to enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against us or such persons in courts in jurisdictions outside the United States, including actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. It may also be difficult for a U.S. investor to bring an action in a Korean court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against our directors and senior management and non-U.S. experts named in this annual report.

We expect to continue operations and investments relating to countries targeted by United States and European Union economic sanctions.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or “OFAC,” enforces certain laws and regulations (“OFAC Sanctions”) that impose restrictions upon U.S. persons and, in some instances, foreign entities owned or controlled by U.S. persons, with respect to activities or transactions with certain countries, governments, entities and individuals that are the subject of OFAC Sanctions (“U.S. Sanctions Targets”). U.S. persons are also generally strictly prohibited from facilitating such activities or transactions. Similarly, the European Union enforces certain laws and regulations (“E.U. Sanctions”) that impose restrictions upon nationals of E.U. member states, persons located within E.U. member states, entities incorporated or constituted under the law of an E.U. member state, or business conducted in whole or in part in E.U. member states with respect to activities or transactions with certain countries, governments, entities and individuals that are the subject of E.U. Sanctions (“E.U. Sanctions Targets” and together with U.S. Sanctions Targets, “Sanctions Targets”). E.U. persons are also generally prohibited from activities that promote such activities or transactions.

 

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We engage in limited business activities in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets, including Iran and Sudan. We produce and export, typically through our sales subsidiaries, steel products to such countries, including automotive steel sheets and other steel materials to Iranian entities. Our subsidiaries also engage in limited business activities in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets. In particular, POSCO Daewoo, a global trading company in which we hold a 60.3% interest, engages in the trading of steel, raw materials and other items with entities in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets, including Iran and Sudan. We believe that such activities and investments do not involve any U.S. goods or services. Our activities and investments in Iran and Sudan accounted for approximately 0.2% of our consolidated revenues in 2013, 0.4% in 2014 and 0.7% in 2015.

We expect to continue to engage in business activities and make investments in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets over the foreseeable future. Although we believe that OFAC Sanctions under their current terms are not applicable to our current activities, our reputation may be adversely affected, some of our U.S. investors may be required to divest their investments in us under the laws of certain U.S. states or under internal investment policies or may decide for reputational reasons to divest such investments. We are aware of initiatives by U.S. governmental entities and U.S. institutional investors, such as pension funds, to adopt or consider adopting laws, regulations or policies prohibiting transactions with or investment in, or requiring divestment from, entities doing business with countries identified as state sponsors of terrorism. We cannot assure you that the foregoing will not occur or that such occurrence will not have a material adverse effect on the value of our securities.

This annual report contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

This annual report contains “forward-looking statements” that are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our company and our industry. The forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “should,” and similar expressions. Those statements include, among other things, the discussions of our business strategy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity and capital resources. We caution you that reliance on any forward-looking statement involves risks and uncertainties, and that although we believe that the assumptions on which our forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and, as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions could be incorrect. The uncertainties in this regard include, but are not limited to, those identified in the risk factors discussed above. In light of these and other uncertainties, you should not conclude that we will necessarily achieve any plans and objectives or projected financial results referred to in any of the forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to release the results of any revisions of these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Item 4.  Information on the Company

Item 4.A.  History and Development of the Company

We were established by the Government on April 1, 1968, under the Commercial Code, to manufacture and distribute steel rolled products and plates in the domestic and overseas markets. The Government owned more than 70% of our equity until 1988, when the Government reduced its ownership of our common stock to 35% through a public offering and listing our shares on the KRX KOSPI Market. In December 1998, the Government sold all of our common stock it owned directly, and The Korea Development Bank completed the sale of our shares that it owned in September 2000. The Government no longer holds any direct interest in us, and our outstanding common stock is currently held by individuals and institutions. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Item 7A. Major Stockholders.”

 

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Our legal and commercial name is POSCO. Our principal executive offices are located at POSCO Center, 440 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea 06194, and our telephone number is (822) 3457-0114.

Item 4.B.  Business Overview

The Company

We are the largest fully integrated steel producer in Korea, and one of the largest steel producers in the world, based on annual crude steel production. We produced approximately 42.0 million tons of crude steel in 2015 and approximately 41.4 million tons in 2014, a substantial portion of which was produced at Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works. As of December 31, 2015, Pohang Works had 17.6 million tons of annual crude steel and stainless steel production capacity, and Gwangyang Works had an annual crude steel production capacity of 24.8 million tons. We believe Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works are two of the most technologically advanced integrated steel facilities in the world. We manufacture and sell a diversified line of steel products, including cold rolled and hot rolled products, stainless steel products, plates, wire rods and silicon steel sheets, and we are able to meet a broad range of customer needs from manufacturing industries that consume steel, including automotive, shipbuilding, home appliance, engineering and machinery industries.

We sell primarily to the Korean market. Domestic sales accounted for 40.3% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2015 and 44.6% in 2014. On a non-consolidated basis, we believe that we had an overall market share of approximately 41% of the total sales volume of steel products sold in Korea in each of 2014 and 2015. Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad accounted for 59.7% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2015 and 55.4% in 2014. Our major export market is Asia, with Asia other than China and Japan accounting for 28.2%, China accounting for 25.3% and Japan accounting for 9.5% of our total steel export revenue from steel products produced and exported by us in 2015, and Asia other than China and Japan accounting for 28.3%, China accounting for 26.6%, and Japan accounting for 11.7% of our total steel export revenue from steel products produced and exported by us in 2014.

We also engage in businesses that complement our steel manufacturing operations as well as carefully seek out promising investment opportunities to diversify our businesses both vertically and horizontally, in part to prepare for the eventual maturation of the Korean steel market. POSCO E&C, our consolidated subsidiary in which we hold a 52.8% interest, is one of the leading engineering and construction companies in Korea that primarily engages in the planning, design and construction of industrial plants and architectural works and civil engineering. POSCO Daewoo, our consolidated subsidiary in which we hold a 60.3% interest, is a global trading company that primarily engages in trading of steel and raw materials as well as investing in energy and mineral development projects throughout the world. POSCO Energy Corporation, our consolidated subsidiary in which we hold an 89.0% interest, is the largest private power generation company in Korea.

We generated revenue of Won 58,522 billion and loss of Won 116 billion in 2015, compared to revenue of Won 64,759 billion and profit of Won 564 billion in 2014. We had total assets of Won 80,748 billion and total equity of Won 45,013 billion as of December 31, 2015, compared to total assets of Won 85,844 billion and total equity of Won 45,257 billion as of December 31, 2014.

Business Strategy

Leveraging on our success over the past four decades, our goal is to strengthen our position as one of the leading steel producers in the world through focusing on core technologies, further solidifying our market leading position in Korea, and pursuing operational efficiencies to increase our margins in markets abroad. In order to compete effectively in the dynamic global market environment

 

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driven by emerging economies and increasing demand for more environmentally friendly products, we are committed to leveraging our competitive advantages and further enhancing our leadership positions. We believe that our proprietary technologies and expertise in developing environmentally-friendly steel production facilities, ability to independently construct such facilities, and know-how in their efficient operation and management enable us to develop differentiated steel products at a highly competitive cost structure. In addition to our steel production operations, we also plan to selectively explore opportunities in growth industries that are integral to our overall business model, and we have identified trading, infrastructure construction, energy and comprehensive materials as our key areas of focus. We plan to bolster competitiveness of each of the areas of focus by developing products and services that address evolving customers’ needs, while continuing to increase the portion of revenues from non-member companies of the POSCO Group.

We seek to strengthen our competitiveness and pursue growth through the following core business strategies:

Seek Opportunities to Further Strengthen Our Position in Global Markets as well as Effectively Manage Our Production Infrastructure Abroad

We plan to pursue higher margin businesses in various key markets abroad as well as further strengthen the competitiveness of production facilities abroad that we have begun operating in recent years. In China, which is experiencing a slowdown in economic growth and oversupply of steel products, we plan to focus on higher-margin products and pursue strategic entry or exit of various segments and regions. In Southeast Asia, we plan to pursue stabilization of our production operations in Indonesia as well as focus on increasing our market share of key products in Thailand, particularly for the automotive industry. We also plan to pursue differentiated strategies in each of our other key regions, such as customizing our product specifications to meet diverse customer demands and optimizing our existing production infrastructure abroad.

Maintain Technology Leadership in Steel Manufacturing

As part of our strategy, we have identified core products that we plan to further develop, such as premium automotive steel sheets, silicon steel and API-grade steel, and we will continue to invest in developing innovative products that offer the greatest potential returns and enhance the overall quality of our steel products. In order to increase our competitiveness and the proportion of our sales of higher margin, higher value-added products, we plan to make additional investments in the development of new manufacturing technologies and upgrade our facilities in Korea and abroad through continued modernization and rationalization.

We believe that innovation is a key element of our culture and critical to our success. We will continue our research and development efforts on developing even more environmentally friendly technologies that align with our customers’ changing needs and desires as well as addressing emerging technological trends. For example, we will continue to refine FINEX, a low cost, environmentally friendly steel manufacturing process that optimizes our production capacity by utilizing low-grade iron ore fines and using coal as an energy source and a reducing agent. We believe that FINEX offers considerable environmental and economic advantages through elimination of major sources of pollution such as facilities that pretreat raw materials, as well as reducing operating and raw material costs. We have also developed proprietary manufacturing technology using a compact endless cast rolling mill (“CEM”) that combines the FINEX process with an advanced basic oxygen steelmaking process that uses more scrap in place of pig iron, which enables us to manufacture products at a highly competitive cost structure with lower carbon dioxide emission. Our CEM directly casts coils from liquid steel and uses a rolling process that rolls hot rolled coils up to 40 slabs at a time.

 

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Pursue Growth Opportunities in the Construction and Trading Industries

POSCO E&C is one of the leading engineering and construction companies in Korea that primarily engages in the planning, design and construction of industrial plants and architectural works and civil engineering. In September 2015, we completed the sale of our 38.0% interest in POSCO E&C to the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, for US$1.05 billion. In connection with the sale, POSCO E&C and PIF agreed to jointly explore additional business opportunities in Saudi Arabia, including participating in various infrastructure projects sponsored by the Saudi Arabian government. In addition to the Middle East, POSCO E&C plans to pursue construction opportunities in Southeast Asia, focusing particularly on construction of industrial plants that maximize production efficiency and are environmentally friendly, as well as commercial and residential complexes that utilize innovative information and technology enhancements.

POSCO Daewoo is a global trading company that primarily engages in trading of steel and raw materials as well as investing in energy development projects. POSCO Daewoo plans to pursue opportunities to offer customized solutions to its trading partners in key global markets with the need for high value-added products such as specialized steel products and agricultural products. POSCO Daewoo will also aim to maximize the returns from its Myanmar gas field projects while mitigating risks associated with natural resources development by limiting its investments to exploration sites that are most likely to yield promising results. We will continue to selectively seek opportunities to identify new growth engines in our construction and trading operations.

Diversify into Production of Comprehensive Materials

We plan to leverage our expertise in production of various steel-applied materials and venture into the fast-growing and high value-added business of producing environmentally friendly comprehensive materials. In particular, demand for lithium ion batteries has been increasing in recent years, and we have identified lithium, along with nickel and cobalt, as our main investment areas. We have also developed proprietary technology to extract lithium from its brine in approximately one month compared to twelve months through conventional production processes. Leveraging on such technology, we are constructing a lithium production plant in Argentina with target completion in September 2016 and annual production capacity of approximately 2,500 tons of lithium. Subject to market conditions, we plan to further expand our production capacity of lithium in the near future.

Further Develop Our Capabilities to become an Integrated Provider of Energy Solutions

We plan to pursue strategic synergies with our member companies of the POSCO Group to further strengthen our capabilities in the energy industry. POSCO Energy Corporation is the largest private power generation company in Korea. POSCO E&C is one of the leading engineering and construction companies in Korea with expertise in the design and construction of power plants. POSCO Daewoo engages in various natural resources procurement and energy development projects around the world, including operation of gas fields in Myanmar. We believe that the energy industry is a sustainable business area that offers us attractive opportunities. Leveraging the expertise of various member companies of the POSCO Group, we cover all aspects of the independent power plant (“IPP”) business, including project planning, power plant construction as well as operational and maintenance services, and we will continue to seek opportunities to selectively expand our power generation business.

Pursue Cost-Cutting through Operational and Process Innovations

We seek to achieve cost reductions in this era of increasing raw material costs through our company wide process for innovation and enhancing efficiency of operations. We believe that strategic cost cutting measures through utilization of efficient production methods, restructuring of our

 

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subsidiaries and management discipline will strengthen our corporate competitiveness. We will also strive to invest more in human resources development to nurture employees who are capable of working in the global environment.

Major Products

We manufacture and sell a broad line of steel products, including the following:

 

   

cold rolled products;

 

   

hot rolled products;

 

   

stainless steel products;

 

   

plates;

 

   

wire rods; and

 

   

silicon steel sheets.

The table below sets out our revenue of steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, which are recognized as external revenue of the Steel Segment, by major steel product categories for the periods indicated. Such amounts do not include steel products produced by us and sold to our consolidated subsidiaries.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2014     2015  

Steel Products

   Billions of
Won
             %             Billions of
Won
             %             Billions of
Won
             %          

Cold rolled products

   9,879         31.1   9,336         29.3   8,373         29.6

Hot rolled products

     5,134         16.1        5,346         16.8        4,685         16.6   

Stainless steel products

     7,425         23.4        6,830         21.5        6,085         21.5   

Plates

     3,266         10.3        3,519         11.1        2,809         9.9   

Wire rods

     1,867         5.9        2,160         6.8        1,932         6.8   

Silicon steel sheets

     1,476         4.6        1,267         4.0        1,323         4.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sub-total

     29,047         91.4        28,458         89.4        25,208         89.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others

     2,748         8.6        3,384         10.6        3,085         10.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

       31,795         100.0       31,842         100.0       28,293         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The table below sets out our sales volume of the principal categories of steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, which are recognized as external sales volume of the Steel Segment, by major steel product categories for the periods indicated. Such amounts do not include steel products produced by us and sold to our consolidated subsidiaries.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2014     2015  

Steel Products

    Thousands 
of Tons
             %              Thousands 
of Tons
             %               Thousands  
of Tons
             %          

Cold rolled products

     11,915         40.9     11,881         39.1     11,995         38.0

Hot rolled products

     7,589         26.1        7,783         25.6        8,541         27.0   

Stainless steel products

     2,883         9.9        2,650         8.7        2,758         8.7   

Plates

     3,849         13.2        4,638         15.3        4,588         14.5   

Wire rods

     1,735         6.0        2,400         7.9        2,667         8.4   

Silicon steel sheets

     1,134         3.9        1,038         3.4        1,031         3.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total (1)

     29,104         100.0     30,390         100.0     31,580         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Not including sales volume of steel products categorized under “others.”

 

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In addition to steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we engage our consolidated sales subsidiaries (including POSCO Daewoo) to sell our steel products produced by us. Our revenue from steel products produced by us and sold to our consolidated sales subsidiaries that in turn sold them to their external customers amounted to Won 8,391 billion in 2013, Won 9,176 billion in 2014 and Won 8,365 billion in 2015. Sales of such steel products by our consolidated sales subsidiaries to external customers are recognized as external revenue of the Trading Segment.

Cold Rolled Products

Cold rolled coils and further refined galvanized cold rolled products are used mainly in the automotive industry to produce car body panels. Other users include the household goods, electrical appliances, engineering and metal goods industries.

Our deliveries of cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 12.0 million tons in 2015, representing 38.0% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers.

Cold rolled products constitute our largest product category in terms of sales volume and revenue from steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. In 2015, our sales volume of cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers remained relatively stable and increased by 1.0% compared to our sales volume in 2014.

Including sales of cold rolled products produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we had a domestic market share for cold rolled products of approximately 40% on a non-consolidated basis.

Hot Rolled Products

Hot rolled coils and sheets have many different industrial applications. They are used to manufacture structural steel used in the construction of buildings, industrial pipes and tanks, and automobile chassis. Hot rolled coil is also manufactured in a wide range of widths and thickness as the feedstock for higher value-added products such as cold rolled products and silicon steel sheets.

Our deliveries of hot rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 8.5 million tons in 2015, representing 27.0% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. The largest customers of our hot rolled products are downstream steelmakers in Korea which use the products to manufacture pipes and cold rolled products.

Hot rolled products constitute our second largest product category in terms of sales volume and third largest product category in terms of revenue from steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. In 2015, our sales volume of hot rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 9.7% compared to our sales volume in 2014, primarily reflecting an increase in sales to new customers abroad, which were in large part satisfied through increased production following an increase in production capacity of our facilities dedicated to production of hot rolled products.

Including sales of hot rolled products produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to hot rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we had a domestic market share for hot rolled products of approximately 37% on a non-consolidated basis.

 

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Stainless Steel Products

Stainless steel products are used to manufacture household goods and are also used by the chemical industry, paper mills, the aviation industry, the automotive industry, the construction industry and the food processing industry.

Our deliveries of stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 2.8 million tons in 2015, representing 8.7% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers.

Stainless steel products constitute our second largest product category in terms of revenue from steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. Although sales of stainless steel products accounted for only 8.7% of total sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers in 2015, they represented 21.5% of our total revenue from such steel products in 2015. In 2015, our sales volume of stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 4.1% compared to our sales volume in 2014 primarily reflecting increased demand resulting from our efforts to focus more on marketing of higher margin, higher value-added products, which was in part met by an increase in our production capacity of stainless steel products.

Including sales of stainless steel products produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we had a domestic market share for stainless steel products of approximately 40% on a non-consolidated basis.

Plates

Plates are used in shipbuilding, structural steelwork, offshore oil and gas production, power generation, mining, and the manufacture of earth-moving and mechanical handling equipment, boiler and pressure vessels and other industrial machinery.

Our deliveries of plates produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 4.6 million tons in 2015, representing 14.5% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. The Korean shipbuilding industry, which uses plates to manufacture chemical tankers, rigs, bulk carriers and containers, and the construction industry are our largest customers of plates.

In 2015, our sales volume of plates produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 1.1% compared to our sales volume in 2014 primarily due to a decrease in demand from the energy industry.

Including sales of plates produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to plates produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we had a domestic market share for plates of approximately 39% on a non-consolidated basis.

Wire Rods

Wire rods are used mainly by manufacturers of wire, fasteners, nails, bolts, nuts and welding rods. Wire rods are also used in the manufacture of coil springs, tension bars and tire cords in the automotive industry.

Our deliveries of wire rods produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 2.7 million tons in 2015, representing 8.4% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. The largest customers for our wire rods are manufacturers of wire ropes and fasteners.

 

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In 2015, our sales volume of wire rods produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 11.2% compared to 2014, primarily reflecting an increase in production capacity resulting from a ramping up of production at our no. 4 wire rod mill, which in turn enabled us to meet an increase in demand for our wire rods from global auto parts manufacturers.

Including sales of wire rods produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to wire rods produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we had a domestic market share for wire rods of approximately 55% on a non-consolidated basis.

Silicon Steel Sheets

Silicon steel sheets are used mainly in the manufacture of power transformers and generators and rotating machines.

Our deliveries of silicon steel sheets produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 1.0 million tons in 2015, representing 3.3% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers.

In 2015, our sales volume of silicon steel sheets produced by us and directly sold to external customers remained relatively stable and decreased by 0.7% compared to 2014.

Including sales of silicon steel sheets produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to silicon steel sheets produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we had a domestic market share for silicon steel sheets of approximately 81% on a non-consolidated basis.

Others

Other products include lower value-added semi-finished products such as pig iron, billets, blooms and slab.

Markets

Korea is our most important market. Domestic sales represented 40.3% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2015. Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad represented 59.7% of our total revenue from steel products in 2015. Our sales strategy has been to devote our production primarily to satisfy domestic demand, while seeking export sales to utilize capacity to the fullest extent and to expand our international market presence.

Domestic Market

We primarily sell in Korea higher value-added and other finished products to end-users and semi-finished products to other steel manufacturers for further processing. Local distribution companies and sales affiliates sell finished steel products to low-volume customers. We provide service technicians for large customers and distributors in each important product area.

 

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The table below sets out our estimate of the market share of steel products sold in Korea for the periods indicated based on sales volume.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Source

       2013             2014             2015      

POSCO’s sales (1)

     43.4     40.6     40.8

Other domestic steel companies’ sales

     23.6        27.6        27.7   

Imports

     33.0        31.8        31.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) POSCO’s sales volume includes steel products produced by us (but not by our subsidiaries) and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to steel products produced by us (but not by our subsidiaries) and directly sold to external customers.

Exports

Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad represented 59.7% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2015, 63.0% of which was generated from exports sales and overseas sales to customers in Asian countries. Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad in terms of revenue from such products decreased by 3.7% from 22,731 billion in 2014 to Won 21,901 billion in 2015.

The tables below set out our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad in terms of revenue from steel products produced and sold by us, by geographical market and by product for the periods indicated.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2014     2015  

Region

       Billions of    
Won
             %               Billions of  
Won
             %               Billions of  
Won
             %          

Asia (other than China and
Japan)

   5,707         27.7   6,434         28.3   6,174         28.2

China

     6,220         30.2        6,057         26.6        5,541         25.3   

Japan

     2,583         12.5        2,668         11.7        2,075         9.5   

Europe

     999         4.9        1,428         6.3        1,751         8.0   

Middle East

     381         1.8        323         1.4        372         1.7   

North America

     1,145         5.6        2,131         9.4        2,162         9.9   

Others

     3,552         17.3        3,689         16.2        3,826         17.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

       20,587         100.0       22,731         100.0       21,901         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2014     2015  

Steel Products

     Billions of  
Won
             %               Billions of  
Won
             %               Billions of  
Won
             %          

Cold rolled products

   6,653         32.3   6,907         30.4   6,373         29.1

Hot rolled products

     3,300         16.0        3,646         16.0        4,032         18.4   

Stainless steel products

     5,125         24.9        5,615         24.7        5,265         24.0   

Plates

     1,238         6.0        1,596         7.0        1,465         6.7   

Wire rods

     569         2.8        783         3.4        674         3.1   

Silicon steel sheets

     837         4.1        771         3.4        807         3.7   

Others

     2,863         13.9        3,412         15.0        3,284         15.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

       20,587         100.0       22,731         100.0       21,901         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The table below sets out the world’s apparent steel use for the periods indicated.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
             2013                     2014                     2015          

Apparent steel use (million metric tons)

     1,534        1,547        1,498   

Percentage of annual increase

     6.3     0.8     (3.1 )% 

 

Source: World Steel Association.

Recently, the general weakness of the global economy, the slowdown in growth of the Chinese economy and fluctuations in oil and commodity prices have increased the uncertainty of global economic prospects in general and have adversely affected the global and Korean economies. The World Steel Association forecasts that global apparent steel use is expected to decrease by 0.7% to 1,488 million metric tons in 2016.

In recent years, driven in part by strong growth in steel consumption in emerging economies, the global steel industry has experienced renewed interest in expansion of steel production capacity. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimated the global crude steel production capacity to be 2,307 million tons in 2015. The increased production capacity, combined with weakening demand due primarily to the recent slowdown of the global economy as well as a slowdown in demand growth from China, has resulted in production over-capacity in the global steel industry. Production over-capacity in the global steel industry may intensify if the slowdown of the global economy continues or demand from developing countries that have experienced significant growth during the past decade does not meet the growth in production capacity.

We distribute our export products mostly through Korean trading companies, including POSCO Daewoo, and our overseas sales subsidiaries. Our largest export market in 2015 was Asia (other than China and Japan), which accounted for 28.2% of our export revenue from steel products produced and sold by us. The principal products exported to Asia (other than China and Japan) were hot rolled products and cold rolled products. Our exports to Asia (other than China and Japan) amounted to Won 6,434 billion in 2014 and Won 6,174 billion in 2015. Our exports to Asia (other than China and Japan) decreased by 4.1% in 2015 primarily due to a decrease in the unit price of our products.

Our second largest export market in 2015 was China, which accounted for 25.3% of our export revenue from steel products produced and sold by us. The principal products exported to China were cold rolled products, including continuous galvanized products. Our exports to China decreased by 8.5% from Won 6,057 billion in 2014 to Won 5,541 billion in 2015 primarily due to a decrease in demand and a subsequent decrease in the unit price of our products resulting from the deterioration of local market conditions in China.

Anti-Dumping, Safeguard and Countervailing Duty Proceedings

From time to time, our exporting activities have become subject to anti-dumping, safeguard and countervailing proceedings. In recent years, we have become subject to a number of anti-dumping duties in the United States, Canada, the European Union, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Taiwan and Thailand and safeguard duties in Thailand and Malaysia. We are also subject to a number of on-going anti-dumping and safeguard investigations in the United States, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. In addition, the Mexican government initiated an anti-dumping investigation in October 2012 relating to our exports of cold rolled steel products, and the investigation was suspended until 2018 on condition that we comply with supply undertakings. Our products that are subject to anti-dumping, safeguard or countervailing duty proceedings in the aggregate currently do not account for a material portion of our total sales, and such proceedings have not had a material adverse impact on our business and operations in recent years.

 

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Pricing Policy

We determine the sales price of our products based on market conditions. In setting prices, we take into account our costs, including those of raw materials, supply and demand in the Korean market, exchange rates, and conditions in the international steel market. Our prices can fluctuate considerably over time, depending on market conditions and other factors. The prices of our higher value-added steel products in the largest markets are determined considering the prices of similar products charged by our competitors.

Both our export prices and domestic sales prices decreased from 2013 to 2015, reflecting production over-capacity in the global steel industry. We may decide to adjust our sales prices in the future subject to market demand for our products, prices of raw materials, the production outlook of the global steel industry and global economic conditions in general.

Raw Materials

Steel Production

The principal raw materials used in producing steel through the basic oxygen steelmaking method are iron ore and coal. We require approximately 1.7 tons of iron ore and 0.8 tons of coal to produce one ton of steel. We import all of the coal and virtually all of the iron ore that we use. In 2015, POSCO imported approximately 53.8 million dry metric tons of iron ore and 28.3 million wet metric tons of coal. Iron ore is imported primarily from Australia, Brazil and Canada. Coal is imported primarily from Australia, Canada and Russia. In 2015, we purchased a substantial portion of our iron ore and coal imports pursuant to long-term contracts. The supply contracts have terms of one to ten years and the long-term contracts generally provide for periodic price adjustments to the then-market prices. The long-term contracts to purchase iron ore and coal generally provide for quarterly adjustments to the purchase prices to be determined through negotiation between the supplier and us. Such price negotiations are driven by various factors, including the global economic outlook, global market prices of raw materials and steel products, supply and demand outlook of raw materials and production costs of raw materials. Typically, globally influenced buyers and sellers of raw materials determine benchmark prices of raw materials, based on which other buyers and sellers negotiate their prices after taking into consideration the quality of raw materials and other factors. We or the suppliers may cancel the long-term contracts only if performance under the contracts is prevented by causes beyond our or their control and these causes continue for a specified period.

We also make investments in exploration and production projects abroad to enhance our ability to meet the requirements for high-quality raw materials, either as part of a consortium or through an acquisition of a minority interest. We secured approximately 41% of our iron ore and coal imports in 2015 from foreign mines in which we have made investments. Our major investments to procure supplies of coal, iron ore and nickel are primarily located in Australia, Brazil, New Caledonia and Canada. We will continue to selectively seek opportunities to enter into additional strategic relationships that would enhance our ability to meet the requirements for principal raw materials.

The average market price of coal per wet metric ton (benchmark free on board price of Peak Downs Australian premium hard coking coal) was US$159 in 2013, US$126 in 2014 and US$102 in 2015. The average market price of iron ore per dry metric ton (Iron Ore 62% Fe, CFR China index announced by Platts) was US$126 in 2013, US$88 in 2014 and US$51 in 2015. We currently do not depend on any single country or supplier for our coal or iron ore.

Stainless Steel Production

The principal raw materials for the production of stainless steel are ferronickel, ferrochrome and stainless steel scrap. We purchase a majority of our ferronickel primarily from suppliers in Korea that procure nickel ore from New Caledonia, and the remainder primarily from leading suppliers in Japan,

 

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Indonesia and Colombia. Our primary suppliers of ferrochrome are located in South Africa, India and Kazakhstan. Our stainless steel scraps are primarily supplied by domestic and overseas suppliers in Japan and Southeast Asia. Revert scraps from the Pohang Steelworks are also used for our stainless steel production. The average market price of nickel per ton on the London Metal Exchange was US$15,022 in 2013, US$16,871 in 2014 and US$11,836 in 2015.

Transportation

In order to meet our transportation needs for iron ore and coal, we have entered into long-term contracts with shipping companies in Korea to retain a fleet of dedicated vessels. These dedicated vessels transported approximately 80% of the total requirements in 2015, and the remaining approximately 20% was transported by vessels retained through short to medium term contracts, depending on market conditions. The Asia Pacific region, including Australia, and the Atlantic region, including Brazil, are the main regions where the vessels are loaded, and they accounted for approximately 85% and 15%, respectively, of our total requirements in 2015. We plan to continue to optimize the fleet of dedicated vessels that we use by 2020 in order to cope with changes in the global shipping environment, as well as upgrade some of the existing vessels with others that utilize more energy-efficient technologies.

The Steelmaking Process

Our major production facilities, Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works, produce steel by the basic oxygen steelmaking method. The stainless steel plant at Pohang Works produces stainless steel by the electric arc furnace method. Continuous casting improves product quality by imparting a homogenous structure to the steel. Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works produce all of their products through the continuous casting.

Steel — Basic Oxygen Steelmaking Method

First, molten pig iron is produced in a blast furnace from iron ore, which is the basic raw material used in steelmaking. Molten pig iron is then refined into molten steel in converters by blowing pure oxygen at high pressure to remove impurities. Different desired steel properties may also be obtained by regulating the chemical contents.

At this point, molten steel is made into semi-finished products such as slabs, blooms or billets at the continuous casting machine. Slabs, blooms and billets are produced at different standardized sizes and shapes. Slabs, blooms and billets are semi-finished lower margin products that we either use to produce our further processed products or sell to other steelmakers that produce further processed steel products.

Slabs are processed to produce hot rolled coil products at hot strip mills or to produce plates at plate mills. Hot rolled coils are an intermediate stage product that may either be sold to our customers as various finished products or be further processed by us or our customers into higher value-added products, such as cold rolled sheets and silicon steel sheets. Blooms and billets are processed into wire rods at wire rod mills.

Stainless Steel — Electric Arc Furnace Method

Stainless steel is produced from stainless steel scrap, chrome, nickel and steel scrap using an electric arc furnace. Stainless steel is then processed into higher value-added products by methods similar to those used for steel production. Stainless steel slabs are produced at a continuous casting mill. The slabs are processed at hot rolling mills into stainless steel hot coil, which can be further processed at cold strip mills to produce stainless cold rolled steel products.

 

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Competition

Domestic Market

We are the largest fully integrated steel producer in Korea. In hot rolled products, where we had a market share of approximately 37% on a non-consolidated basis in 2015, we face competition from a Korean steel producer that operates mini-mills and produces hot rolled coil products from slabs and from various foreign producers, primarily from China and Japan. In cold rolled products and stainless steel products, where we had a market share of approximately 40% in each market on a non-consolidated basis in 2015, we compete with smaller specialized domestic manufacturers and various foreign producers, primarily from China and Japan. For a discussion of domestic market shares, see “— Markets — Domestic Market.”

We may face increased competition in the future from new specialized or integrated domestic manufacturers of steel products in the Korean market. Our biggest competitor in Korea is Hyundai Steel Co., Ltd. with an annual crude steel production of approximately 21 million tons.

The Korean Government does not impose quotas on or provide subsidies to local steel producers. As a World Trade Organization signatory, Korea has also removed all steel tariffs.

Export Markets

The competitors in our export markets include all the leading steel manufacturers of the world. In the past decade, there has been a trend toward industry consolidation among our competitors, and smaller competitors in the global steel market today may become larger competitors in the future. For example, Mittal Steel’s takeover of Arcelor in 2006 created a company with approximately 10% of global steel production capacity. Competition from global steel manufacturers with expanded production capacity such as ArcelorMittal S.A., and new market entrants, especially from China and India, could result in a significant increase in competition. In recent years, excess capacity from developing countries, particularly China, has resulted in downward pressure on global steel prices. Major competitive factors include range of products offered, quality, price, delivery performance and customer service. Our larger competitors may use their resources, which may be greater than ours, against us in a variety of ways, including by making additional acquisitions, investing more aggressively in product development and capacity and displacing demand for our export products.

Various export markets currently impose tariffs on different types of steel products. However, we do not believe that tariffs significantly affect our ability to compete in these markets.

Subsidiaries and Global Joint Ventures

Steel Production

In order to effectively implement our strategic initiatives and to solidify our leadership position in the global steel industry, we have established various subsidiaries and joint ventures around the world that engage in steel production activities.

Korea. In order to expand our sale of value-added products, we established POSCO Coated & Color Steel Co., Ltd. by merging a coated steel manufacturer and a color sheet manufacturer in March 1999. POSCO Coated & Color Steel has an aggregate annual production capacity of 600 thousand tons of galvanized and aluminized steel sheets widely used in the construction, automotive parts and home appliances industries. POSCO Coated & Color Steel also has an aggregate annual production capacity of 350 thousand tons of color sheets that are mainly used for interior and exterior materials and home appliances. In 2015, POSCO Coated & Color Steel produced 608 thousand tons of galvanized and aluminized steel sheets and 310 thousand tons of color sheets.

 

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China. We entered into an agreement with Sagang Group Co. to establish Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd., a joint venture company in China for the manufacture and sale of stainless cold rolled steel products. We have an 82.5% interest in the joint venture (including 23.9% interest held by POSCO China Holding Corporation), which commenced production of stainless cold rolled steel products in December 1998. Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel produced 1,105 thousand tons of stainless steel products in 2015. See “— Other Production Facilities Abroad — Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel.”

We established Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary set up to manufacture and sell stainless cold rolled steel products in China. The plant became operational in December 2004, with an annual production capacity of 180 thousand tons of stainless cold rolled steel products. Qingdao Pohang Steel produced 147 thousand tons of such products in 2015.

In August 2003, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Benxi Iron and Steel Group in China to establish Benxi Steel POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd. The cold rolling mill with an annual production capacity of 1.9 million tons became operational in March 2006, and the company produced 1.8 million tons of such products in 2015. We currently hold a 25.0% interest in this joint venture.

Indonesia. We entered into an agreement with PT. Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk. to establish PT. Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd., a joint venture company in Indonesia for the manufacture and sale of plates and slabs. We hold a 70.0% interest in the joint venture. We completed the construction of a steel manufacturing plant in December 2013 with an annual production capacity of 3.0 million tons of plates and slabs. PT. Krakatau POSCO produced 2.7 million tons of plates and slabs in 2015. See “— Other Production Facilities Abroad — PT. Krakatau POSCO.”

Vietnam. We previously entered into an agreement with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation to establish POSCO Vietnam Co., Ltd., a joint venture company in Vietnam for the manufacture and sale of cold rolled steel products. In March 2015, we acquired the interest owned by Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, and we hold a 100.0% interest in the subsidiary. We completed the construction of a plant in September 2009 with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million tons of cold rolled products and commenced commercial production. POSCO Vietnam produced 900 thousand tons of such products in 2015.

We established POSCO SS VINA Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary engaged in the manufacture and sale of shape steel and steel reinforcement products. The plant became operational in June 2015, with an annual production capacity of 1.1 million tons of shape steel and steel reinforcement products. POSCO SS VINA Co., Ltd. is in the process of ramping up its production and produced 0.2 million tons of shape steel and steel reinforcement products in 2015. See “Other Production Facilities Abroad — POSCO SS VINA.”

Thailand. In order to secure an alternative sales source for stainless cold rolled steel products and an export base for expanding into the Southeast Asia stainless steel markets, we acquired a controlling interest in Thainox Stainless Public Company Limited, a major stainless steel manufacturer in Thailand, in September 2011. We renamed the company as POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited in October 2011 and currently hold an 84.9% interest in the company. The company produced 175 thousand tons of stainless cold rolled products in 2015.

United States. We entered into a 50-50 joint venture between U.S. Steel Corporation and us called USS-POSCO Industries Corporation. We sell hot rolled products to USS-POSCO Industries, which uses such products to manufacture cold rolled and galvanized steel products and tin-plate products for sale in the United States. USS-POSCO Industries produced 716 thousand tons of such products in 2015.

Mexico. In Mexico, POSCO Mexico S.A. de C.V. completed the construction of a plant in August 2009 with an annual production capacity of 0.4 million tons of cold rolled products and commenced commercial production to supply automotive manufacturers in Mexico, Southeastern

 

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United States and South America. POSCO Mexico expanded its annual production capacity to 0.9 million tons of galvanized steel products in December 2013, and produced 474 thousand tons of cold rolled products in 2014.

Others. In addition to the above investments, we are carefully seeking out additional promising investment opportunities abroad. In June 2005, we entered into a memorandum of understanding with Odisha State Government of India for the construction of an integrated steel mill and the development of iron ore mines in Odisha State. The Government of India reissued clearance for the construction of the steel mill in January 2014 and the Indian Supreme Court issued a final ruling in May 2013 with respect to authority of the central government to issue permission to develop iron ore mines in Odisha State. Progress on this project remains subject to further discussion with the Government of India.

We have also established supply chain management centers around the world to provide processing and logistics services such as cutting flat steel products to smaller sizes to meet customers’ needs. In 2015, our 31 supply chain management centers recorded aggregate sales of 6 million tons of steel products.

Trading

Our trading activities consist primarily of trading activities of POSCO Daewoo. We acquired a controlling interest in POSCO Daewoo for Won 3.37 trillion on September 20, 2010, and we currently hold a 60.3% interest in POSCO Daewoo. Our consolidated subsidiaries that also engage in trading activities include POSCO Processing & Service Co., Ltd. that primarily focuses in the domestic market, and POSCO Asia Company Limited located in Hong Kong, POSCO Japan Co., Ltd. located in Tokyo, Japan, POSCO America Corporation located in New Jersey, U.S.A. and POSCO South Asia Co., Ltd. located in Bangkok, Thailand.

POSCO Daewoo is a global trading company that primarily engages in trading of steel and raw materials as well as investing in energy and mineral development projects. It also manufactures and sells textiles and operates a department store in Korea. POSCO Daewoo was established in December 2000 when the international trading and construction businesses of Daewoo Corporation were spun off into three separate companies as part of a debt workout program of Daewoo Corporation.

 

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The following table sets forth a breakdown of POSCO Daewoo’s total sales by export sales, domestic sales and third-party trades as well as product category for the periods indicated:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Product Category

   2013     2014     2015  
     (In billions of Won, except percentages)  

Export Sales

            

Trading sales:

            

Steel and metal

   5,397        31.5   5,051        24.8   4,648        26.5

Chemical and commodities

     1,535        9.0        1,836        9.0        1,445        8.2   

Automobile and machinery parts

     1,625        9.5        1,965        9.6        2,003        11.4   

Electronics and miscellaneous items

     72        0.4        44        0.2        42        0.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

     8,630        50.4        8,895        43.6        8,138        46.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Manufactured product sales

     13        0.1        22        0.1        6        0.0   

Miscellaneous

     14        0.1        60        0.3        61        0.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total export sales

     8,657        50.6        8,977        44.0        8,204        46.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Domestic Sales

            

Trading sales:

            

Steel and metal

   686        3.9   737        3.6   506        2.9

Chemical and commodities

     71        0.4        81        0.4        92        0.5   

Automobile and machinery parts

     34        0.2        56        0.3        62        0.4   

Electronics and miscellaneous items

     4        0.0        11        0.1                 

Other goods

     54        0.3        49        0.2        23        0.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

     849        5.0        935        4.6        683        3.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Miscellaneous

     12        0.1        11        0.1        24        0.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total domestic sales

     861        5.1        946        4.7        707        4.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Third-Country Trades

            

Trading

   10,598        61.9   14,284        70.0   11,569        66.0

Natural resources development

     132        0.8        550        2.7        714        4.1   

Manufactured product trading

     261        1.5        266        1.3        242        1.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total third-country trades

     10,991        64.2        15,100        74.0        12,525        71.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidation adjustments

     (3,399     (19.9     (4,615     (22.7     (3,910     (22.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total sales

       17,109        100.0       20,408        100.0       17,527        100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trading Activities. POSCO Daewoo’s trading activities consist of exporting and importing a wide variety of products and commodities, including iron and steel, raw materials for steel production, non-ferrous metals, chemicals, automotive parts, machinery and plant equipment, electronics products, agricultural commodities and textiles. POSCO Daewoo is also engaged in third-country trade that does not involve exports from or imports to Korea. The products are obtained from and supplied to numerous suppliers and purchasers in Korea and overseas, which are procured through a global trading network comprised of overseas trading subsidiaries, branches and representative offices. Such subsidiaries and offices support POSCO Daewoo’s trading activities by locating suitable local suppliers and purchasers on behalf of customers, identifying business opportunities and providing information regarding local market conditions.

In most cases, POSCO Daewoo enters into trading transactions after the underlying sale and purchase contracts have been matched, which mitigates inventory and price risks to POSCO Daewoo. POSCO Daewoo typically enters into trading transactions as a principal, and in limited cases as an import or export agent. When acting as a principal or an agent, POSCO Daewoo derives its gross trading profit from the margin between the selling price of the products and the purchase price it pays for such products. In the case of principal transactions, the selling price is recorded as sales and the purchase price is recorded as cost of sales, while only the margin is recorded as sales in the case of agency transactions in which POSCO Daewoo does not assume the risks and rewards of ownership of the goods. In the case of principal transactions, it takes an average of approximately 51 days

 

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between POSCO Daewoo’s payment of goods and its receipt of payment from its customers. In the instances in which it acts as an arranger for a third country transaction, POSCO Daewoo derives its gross trading profit from, and records as sales, the commission paid to it by the customer. The sizes of margins and commissions for POSCO Daewoo’s trading activities vary depending on a number of factors, including prevailing supply and demand conditions for the product involved, the cost of financing, insurance, storage and transport and the creditworthiness of the customer, and tends to decline as the product or market matures.

In connection with its export and import transactions, POSCO Daewoo has accounts receivable and payable in a number of currencies, but principally in Dollars. POSCO Daewoo’s exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates, including the Won/Dollar exchange rate, is limited because trading transactions typically involve matched purchase and sale contracts, which result in limited settlement exposure, and because POSCO Daewoo’s contracts with domestic suppliers of products for export and with domestic purchasers of imported products are generally denominated in Dollars. Although the impact of exchange rate fluctuations is substantially mitigated by such strategies, POSCO Daewoo also periodically enters into derivative contracts, primarily currency forward contracts, to further hedge its foreign exchange risks.

In connection with its trading activities, POSCO Daewoo arranges insurance and product transport at the request of customers, the costs of which generally become reflected in the sales price of the relevant products, and also provides financing services to its purchasers and suppliers as necessary. In the case of trading transactions involving large-scale industrial or construction projects, POSCO Daewoo also provides necessary project planning and organizing services to its customers.

Natural Resources Development Activities. POSCO Daewoo also invests in energy and mineral development projects throughout the world. In particular, POSCO Daewoo joined a consortium with Korea Gas Corporation, ONGC Videsh Ltd. and the Gas Authority of India Ltd. in November 2002, which made a successful bid in the gas exploration, development and production project in the Myanmar A-1 gas field. In October 2005, the consortium made a successful bid in the gas exploration, development and production project in the Myanmar A-3 gas field, located adjacent to the Myanmar A-1 gas field. In December 2008, the consortium entered into a sales agreement with China National United Oil Corporation to sell the gas produced from the A-1 and A-3 gas fields for a period of 30 years after the commencement of production. In August 2010, Myanmar Oil & Gas Enterprise, the national oil and gas company of Myanmar, acquired a 15.0% interest in each of the projects. As of December 31, 2015, POSCO Daewoo had invested approximately US$ 1,303 million in the A-1 and A-3 gas field projects, approximately US$214 million in a related off-shore pipeline project and approximately US$374 million in a related on-shore pipeline project. POSCO Daewoo plans to make further investments in these gas fields in the future. POSCO Daewoo holds a 51.0% interest in each of the A-1, A-3 and off-shore pipeline projects and a 25.0% interest in the on-shore pipeline project. Production of gas from these gas fields commenced in July 2013 and POSCO Daewoo recognized revenue from the Myanmar gas field project starting in November 2013. POSCO Daewoo recognized revenues of approximately Won 467 billion in 2014 and Won 652 billion in 2015 from the Myanmar gas field project.

Such natural resources development projects, while entailing higher risks than the traditional trading business, offer higher potential returns. POSCO Daewoo intends to continue to expand its operations by carefully seeking out promising energy development projects abroad. POSCO Daewoo mitigates the risks associated with such investments through subsidies from the Special Account for Energy Related Funds that is administered, among others, by Korea National Oil Corporation and Korea Resources Corporation, government agencies that promote natural resources development activities of the fund. The fund subsidizes a portion of the investment amount in the event the investor fails to develop viable deposits. If the natural resources development activities are successful, the investor must reimburse the fund for the subsidy amount, together with accrued interest. In most instances, POSCO Daewoo is required to obtain consent from the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy prior to investing in natural resources development projects.

 

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Competition. POSCO Daewoo competes principally with six other Korean general trading companies, each of which is affiliated with a major domestic business group, as well as global trading companies based in other countries. In the domestic market, competition for export transactions on behalf of domestic suppliers and import transactions on behalf of domestic purchasers was limited, as most affiliated general trading companies of large Korean business groups generally relied on affiliate transactions for the bulk of their trading business. However, in recent years, many of these Korean general trading companies have reduced their reliance on their affiliated business group and transactions carried out on behalf of their member companies and instead have generally evolved to focus on segments of the import and export markets in which they have a competitive advantage. As a result, competition among Korean general trading companies in the area of traditional trade has become more intense. POSCO Daewoo’s principal competitors in the overseas trading markets include Korean trading companies that operate in various international markets, as well as foreign trading companies, particularly those based in Japan. As POSCO Daewoo diversifies into businesses other than traditional trading such as natural resources development, it also increasingly competes with other Korean and international companies involved in these businesses.

Construction

POSCO E&C, our consolidated subsidiary in which we hold a 52.8% interest, is one of the leading engineering and construction companies in Korea, primarily engaged in the planning, design and construction of industrial plants and architectural works and civil engineering projects. In particular, POSCO E&C has established itself as one of the premier engineering and construction companies in Korea through:

 

   

its strong and stable customer base; and

 

   

its cutting-edge technological expertise obtained from construction of advanced integrated steel plants, as well as participation in numerous modernization and rationalization projects at our Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works.

Leveraging its technical know-how and track record of building some of the leading industrial complexes in Korea, POSCO E&C has also focused on diversifying its operations into construction of high-end apartment complexes and participating in a wider range of architectural works and civil engineering projects, as well as engaging in urban planning and development projects and expanding its operations abroad. One of its landmark urban planning and development projects includes the development of a 5.7 million-square meter area of Songdo International City in Incheon, which POSCO E&C is co-developing with Gale International, a respected real estate developer based in the United States. In September 2015, we completed the sale of our 38.0% interest in POSCO E&C to PIF, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, for US$1.05 billion. In connection with the sale, POSCO E&C and PIF agreed to jointly explore additional business opportunities in Saudi Arabia, including participating in various infrastructure projects sponsored by the Saudi Arabian government.

POSCO E&C also has substantial experience in the energy field obtained from the construction of various power plants for member companies of the POSCO Group, specializing primarily in engineering and construction of liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) and coal-fired thermal power plants. In recent years, POSCO E&C has obtained various orders for such power plants, including LNG-fired power plants in Incheon, Korea and coal-fired thermal power plants in Ventanas and Angamos, Chile. In response to increasing demand from the energy industry, POSCO E&C plans to continue to target opportunities in power plant construction, which it believes offers significant growth potential, and thereby enhance its know-how and profitability.

Competition. Competition in the construction industry is based primarily on price, reputation for quality, reliability, punctuality and financial strength of contractors. In Korea, POSCO E&C’s main competition in the construction of residential and non-residential buildings, EPC projects, urban planning and development projects and civil works projects consists of approximately ten major

 

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domestic construction companies, all of which are member companies of other large business groups in Korea and are capable of undertaking larger-scale, higher-value-added projects that offer greater potential returns. A series of measures introduced by the Government over the past few years to regulate housing prices in Korea, as well as an increasing popularity of low-bid contracts in civil works project mandates, have contributed to increased competition in the Korean construction industry in recent years. In the overseas markets, POSCO E&C faces competition from local construction companies, as well as international construction companies from other countries, including other major Korean construction companies with overseas operations. Construction companies from developed countries may be more experienced, have greater financial resources and possess more sophisticated technology than POSCO E&C, while construction companies from developing countries often have the advantage of lower wage costs.

Others

As part of our diversification efforts, we strive to identify business opportunities that supplement our steel, trading and construction segments, including power generation, LNG logistics and network and system integration.

POSCO Energy Corporation. In 2006, we acquired the largest domestic private power utility company that operates LNG combined cycle power generation facilities with total power generation capacity of 1,800 megawatts and renamed it POSCO Energy Corporation. Since our acquisition, POSCO Energy Corporation has expanded its power generation capacity by constructing additional power plants in Korea and Southeast Asia. POSCO Energy Corporation’s total power generation capacity was approximately 4,526 megawatts as of December 31, 2015. POSCO Energy Corporation is also selectively seeking opportunities to expand into solar, wind and other renewable energy businesses in order to become an integrated provider of energy solutions.

LNG Logistics. In an effort to reduce our dependency on oil, we became the first private company in Korea to import LNG in 2005, and we have steadily increased the use of natural gas for energy generation at our steel production facilities. We operate an LNG receiving terminal that is equipped with two 100,000 kiloliters storage tanks, two 165,000 kiloliters storage tanks and additional facilities with an aggregate capacity to process up to 2.4 million tons of LNG annually in Gwangyang. In order to achieve maximum operational efficiency of our LNG terminal, we participate in the LNG trading and LNG ship gas trial businesses. We are in the process of building a synthetic natural gas production plant with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons in Gwangyang that will become operational during 2016. We believe that the synthetic natural gas production plant provides us with a stable supply of LNG substitutes that we can utilize to meet our growing needs for energy generation.

Others. We acquired or established several subsidiaries that address specific services to support the operations of Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works. POSCO ICT Co., Ltd., founded in 1989, provides information and technology consulting and system network integration and outsourcing services. POSCO Processing & Service Co., Ltd., founded in 1994, provides material processing and fabrication services. POSCO Chemtech Company Ltd., formerly POSCO Refractories and Environment Company, Ltd., specializes in the manufacturing of refractories and lime used in steel manufacturing processes as well as a wide range of chemical products.

Insurance

We maintain property insurance for our property, plant and equipment that we believe to be consistent with market practice in Korea.

 

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Item 4.C.  Organizational Structure

The following table sets out the jurisdiction of incorporation and our ownership interests of our significant subsidiaries:

 

Name

   Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
     Percentage of
Ownership
 

POSCO Daewoo Corporation

     Korea         60.3

POSCO Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd

     Korea         52.8

POSCO Energy Corporation

     Korea         89.0

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

     China         82.5

POSCO Processing & Service Co., Ltd.

     Korea         96.0

POSCO ICT Co., Ltd.

     Korea         65.4

Item 4.D.  Property, Plants and Equipment

Our principal properties are Pohang Works, which is located at Youngil Bay on the southeastern coast of Korea, and Gwangyang Works, which is located in Gwangyang City in the southwestern region of Korea. We also maintain and operate production properties abroad, including plants operated by Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel in China, PT. Krakatau POSCO in Indonesia and POSCO SS Vina in Vietnam. We expect to increase our production capacity in the future when we increase our capacity as part of our facilities expansion or as a result of continued modernization and rationalization of our existing facilities. For a discussion of major items of our capital expenditures currently in progress, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources — Liquidity — Capital Expenditures and Capital Expansion.”

Pohang Works

Construction of Pohang Works began in 1970 and ended in 1983. Pohang Works currently has an annual crude steel and stainless steel production capacity of 17.6 million tons. Pohang Works produces a wide variety of steel products. Products produced at Pohang Works include hot rolled sheets, plates, wire rods and cold rolled sheets, as well as specialty steel products such as stainless steel sheets and silicon steel sheets. These products can also be customized to meet the specifications of our customers.

Situated on a site of 8.9 million square meters at Youngil Bay on the southeastern coast of Korea, Pohang Works consists of 43 plants, including iron-making, crude steelmaking and continuous casting and other rolling facilities. Pohang Works also has docking facilities capable of accommodating ships as large as 200,000 tons for unloading raw materials, storage areas for up to 34 days’ supply of raw materials and separate docking facilities for ships carrying products for export. Pohang Works consumed approximately 390 thousand tons of LNG and approximately 790 gigawatt hours of electricity in 2015. Pohang Works is equipped with a highly advanced computerized production-management system allowing constant monitoring and control of the production process.

The following table sets out Pohang Works’ capacity utilization rates for the periods indicated.

 

         As of or for the Year Ended December 31,       
     2013      2014      2015  

Crude steel and stainless steel production capacity as of end of the year (million tons per year)

     17.30         17.40         17.61   

Actual crude steel and stainless steel output (million tons)

     16.18         16.18         16.23   

Capacity utilization rate (%) (1)

     93.5         93.0         92.2   

 

 

(1) Calculated by dividing actual crude steel and stainless steel output by the actual crude steel and stainless steel production capacity for the relevant period as determined by us.

 

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Gwangyang Works

Construction of Gwangyang Works began in 1985 on a site of 13.7 million square meters reclaimed from the sea in Gwangyang City in the southwestern region of Korea. Gwangyang Works currently has an annual crude steel production capacity of 24.8 million tons. Gwangyang Works specializes in high volume production of a limited number of steel products. Products manufactured at Gwangyang Works include both hot and cold rolled types.

Gwangyang Works is comprised of 47 plants, including iron-making plants, steelmaking plants, continuous casting plants, hot strip mills and thin-slab hot rolling plants. The site also features docking and unloading facilities for raw materials capable of accommodating ships as large as 300,000 tons for unloading raw materials, storage areas for 38 days’ supply of raw materials and separate docking facilities for ships carrying products for export. Gwangyang Works consumed approximately 260 thousand tons of LNG and approximately 1,390 gigawatt hours of electricity in 2015.

We believe Gwangyang Works is one of the most technologically advanced integrated steel facilities in the world. Gwangyang Works has a completely automated, linear production system that enables the whole production process, from iron-making to finished products, to take place without interruption. This advanced system reduces the production time for hot rolled products to only four hours. Like Pohang Works, Gwangyang Works is equipped with a highly advanced computerized production-management system allowing constant monitoring and control of the production process.

The following table sets out Gwangyang Works’ capacity utilization rates for the periods indicated.

 

         As of or for the Year Ended December 31,       
     2013      2014      2015  

Crude steel production capacity as of end of the year (million tons per year)

     20.80         20.80         24.80   

Actual crude steel output (million tons)

     20.23         21.47         21.74   

Capacity utilization rate (%) (1)

     97.3         103.2         87.7   

 

 

(1) Calculated by dividing actual crude steel output by the actual crude steel production capacity for the relevant period as determined by us.

Production Facilities Abroad

Our various subsidiaries and joint ventures around the world, including Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd. in China, PT. Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd. in Indonesia and POSCO SS Vina Co., Ltd. in Vietnam, engage in steel production activities. For a discussion of such operations, see “Item 4. Information of the Company — Item 4.B. Business Overview — Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures.”

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel

The following table sets out Zhangjiagang’s capacity utilization rates for the periods indicated.

 

         As of or for the Year Ended December 31,       
     2013      2014      2015  

Crude steel and stainless steel production capacity as of end of the year (million tons per year)

     1.10         1.10         1.10   

Actual crude steel and stainless steel output (million tons)

     1.10         1.15         1.17   

Capacity utilization rate (%) (1)

     100.3         104.9         106.1   

 

 

(1) Calculated by dividing actual crude steel and stainless steel output by the actual crude steel and stainless steel production capacity for the relevant period as determined by us.

 

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PT. Krakatau POSCO

The following table sets out PT. Krakatau POSCO’s capacity utilization rates for the periods indicated.

 

     As of or for the Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2014      2015  

Crude steel production capacity as of end of the year (million tons per year)

     3.00         3.00   

Actual crude steel output (million tons)

     1.90         2.72   

Capacity utilization rate (%) (1)

     63.4         90.7   

 

 

(1) Calculated by dividing actual crude steel output by the actual crude steel capacity for the relevant period as determined by us.

POSCO SS VINA Co., Ltd.

The following table sets out POSCO SS VINA’s capacity utilization rates for 2015.

 

     As of or for the Year
Ended December 31,
 
     2015  

Crude steel production capacity as of end of the year (million tons per year)

     1.10   

Actual crude steel output (million tons)

     0.17   

Capacity utilization rate (%) (1)

     15.8   

 

 

(1) Calculated by dividing actual crude steel output by the actual crude steel production capacity for the relevant period as determined by us.

The Environment

We are vigorous in our efforts to engage in environmentally responsible management of, and to protect the environment from damage resulting from, our operations. Our levels of pollution control are higher than those mandated by Government standards. We established an on-line environmental monitoring system with real-time feedback on pollutant levels and a forecast system of pollutant concentration in surrounding areas. We also undergo periodic environmental inspection by both internal and external inspectors in accordance with ISO 14001 standards to monitor execution and maintenance of our environmental management plan. As we continue to diversify our production operations abroad and the importance of comprehensive environmental management continues to grow, we announced an integrated environmental management system in December 2010, pursuant to which all of our subsidiaries located in Korea as well as abroad acquired the ISO 14001 certification. We also operate a certification program targeting our suppliers and outsourcing partners, pursuant to which they are encouraged to establish environmental management systems of their own.

We have taken additional measures to ensure that we are appropriately addressing environmental issues. We recycle most of the by-products from the steelmaking process. A vital part of our production process requires consumption of water, and many of our operations are located on coastal sites or adjacent to major lakes and rivers. Recognizing the importance of water resources, we established mid-to-long-term water management strategies to more effectively utilize water resources, including increasing water recycling, reducing usage volume, developing substitute sources and reducing manufacturing discharge harmful to the environment. As part of our efforts to preserve biological diversity, we supply steel slag that is used in the construction of underwater facilities designed to restore marine ecosystems damaged by rising seawater temperatures. In addition, we have been developing environmentally friendly products such as chrome-free steel sheets in an effort to compete with products from the European Union, the United States and Japan and to meet strengthened environmental regulations. Anticipating the trend toward increasing regulation of chrome in various steel products, we introduced chrome-free steel products meeting international environmental standards in 2006 that are used to manufacture automotive oil tanks.

 

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We plan to continue to invest in developing more environmentally friendly steel manufacturing processes. We commenced research and development for a new steel manufacturing technology called FINEX in 1992 jointly with the Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology and VOEST Alpine, an Austrian company. We will continue to refine FINEX, a low cost, environmentally friendly steel manufacturing process that we believe optimizes our production capacity by utilizing low-grade iron ore fines and using coal as an energy source and a reducing agent. We believe that FINEX offers considerable environmental and economic advantages by eliminating major sources of pollution such as facilities that pretreat raw materials, as well as decreasing operating and raw material costs.

Our climate change response program seeks to minimize the risks from changes in climate as well as to maximize the opportunities available in such environment by enhancing the energy efficiency of our production process. We have disclosed our carbon dioxide emission levels and efforts to deal with climate changes through various channels, including participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project. The Carbon Disclosure Project is an organization based in the United Kingdom that works with major corporations around the world to disclose their greenhouse gas emission levels. We are also in compliance with the Korea Emissions Trading Scheme, which was launched by the Government in January 2015 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by limiting the total amount of allowable greenhouse gas emission by a manufacturer.

While we believe we are in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations in all material respects, we may be responsible for the investigation and remediation of environmental conditions at currently and formerly operated manufacturing or construction sites. For example, we recognized provision expenses of Won 89 billion in 2014 and Won 2 billion in 2015 related to restoration costs of contaminated land near our magnesium plant in Gangneung, Korea, of which provision of Won 37 billion remained as of December 31, 2015. We spent Won 295 billion in 2013, Won 299 billion in 2014 and Won 168 billion in 2015 on anti-pollution facilities.

Item 4.E.  Unresolved Staff Comments

We do not have any unresolved comments from the Securities and Exchange Commission staff regarding our periodic reports under the Exchange Act of 1934.

Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

Item 5.A.  Operating Results

The following discussion and analysis is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB. Unless otherwise noted, the amounts included in Item 5.A. are presented on a consolidated basis.

Overview

We are the largest fully integrated steel producer in Korea. We have four reportable operating segments — a steel segment, a trading segment, an engineering and construction segment and a segment that contains operations of all other entities which fall below the reporting thresholds. The steel segment includes production of steel products and sale of such products. The trading segment consists of global trading activities of POSCO Daewoo, exporting and importing a wide range of steel products that are both obtained from and supplied to POSCO, as well as between other suppliers and purchasers in Korea and overseas. The construction segment includes planning, designing and construction of industrial plants, civil engineering projects and commercial and residential buildings, both in Korea and overseas. The “others” segment includes power generation, LNG logistics, and network and system integration. See Note 41 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

One of the major factors contributing to our historical performance has been the growth of the Korean economy, and our future performance will depend at least in part on Korea’s general economic

 

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growth and prospects. For a description of recent developments that have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, see “Item 3. Key Information — Item 3.D. Risk Factors — Korea is our most important market, and our current business and future growth could be materially and adversely affected if economic conditions in Korea deteriorate.” A number of other factors have had or are expected to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition and capital expenditures. These factors include:

 

   

our sales volume, unit prices and product mix;

 

   

costs and production efficiency; and

 

   

exchange rate fluctuations.

As a result of these factors, our financial results in the past may not be indicative of future results or trends in those results.

Sales Volume, Prices and Product Mix

In recent years, our net sales have been affected by the following factors:

 

   

the demand for our products in the Korean market and our capacity to meet that demand;

 

   

our ability to compete for sales in the export market;

 

   

price levels; and

 

   

our ability to improve our product mix.

Domestic demand for our products is affected by the condition of major steel consuming industries, such as construction, shipbuilding, automotive, electrical appliances and downstream steel processors, and the Korean economy in general.

In 2014, unit sales prices in Won for our principal product lines of steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, other than hot rolled products and stainless steel products, decreased. The weighted average unit price for such products decreased by 6.2% from 2013 to 2014, in part due to an appreciation in the average value of the Won against the Dollar in 2014 that decreased our export prices in Won terms. The average exchange rate of the Won against the Dollar appreciated from Won 1,095.0 to US$1.00 in 2013 to Won 1,053.2 to US$1.00 in 2014.

The unit sales price of wire rods, which accounted for 7.9% of total sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, decreased by 16.4% in 2014.The unit sales price of plates, which accounted for 15.3% of total sales volume of such products, decreased by 10.6% in 2014.The unit sales price of silicon steel sheets, which accounted for 3.4% of total sales volume of such products, decreased by 6.2% in 2014. The unit sales price of cold rolled products, which accounted for 39.1% of total sales volume of such products, decreased by 5.2% in 2014. On the other hand, the unit sales price of hot rolled products, which accounted for 25.6% of total sales volume of such products, increased by 1.5% in 2014. The unit sales price of stainless steel products, which accounted for 8.7% of total sales volume of such products, increased by 0.1% in 2014.

In 2015, unit sales prices in Won for our principal product lines of steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, other than silicon steel sheets, decreased. The weighted average unit price for such products decreased by 14.8% from 2014 to 2015, despite a depreciation in the average value of the Won against the Dollar in 2015 that increased our export prices in Won terms. The average exchange rate of the Won against the Dollar depreciated from Won 1,053.2 to US$1.00 in 2014 to Won 1,131.5 to US$1.00 in 2015.

The unit sales price of hot rolled products, which accounted for 27.0% of total sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, decreased by

 

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20.1% in 2015. The unit sales price of wire rods, which accounted for 8.4% of total sales volume of such products, decreased by 19.5% in 2015. The unit sales price of plates, which accounted for 14.5% of total sales volume of such products, decreased by 19.3% in 2015. The unit sales price of stainless steel products, which accounted for 8.7% of total sales volume of such products, decreased by 14.4% in 2015. The unit sales price of cold rolled products, which accounted for 38.0% of total sales volume of such products, decreased by 11.2% in 2015. On the other hand, the unit sales price of silicon steel sheets, which accounted for 3.3% of total sales volume of such products, increased by 5.1% in 2015.

The table below sets out the average unit sales prices for our semi-finished and finished steel products for the periods indicated.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Products

       2013              2014              2015      
     (In thousands of Won per ton)  

Cold rolled products

   829       786       698   

Hot rolled products

     677         687         549   

Stainless steel products

         2,576             2,577             2,207   

Plates

     849         759         612   

Wire rods

     1,076         900         724   

Silicon steel sheets

     1,302         1,221         1,284   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average (1)

   998       936       798   

 

 

(1) “Average” prices are based on the weighted average, by sales volume, of our sales for the listed principal products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — Item 4.B. Business Overview — Major Products.” The average unit sales price calculation does not include sales results of steel products categorized as “others.”

Costs and Production Efficiency

Our major costs and operating expenses are raw material purchases, depreciation, labor and other purchases. The table below sets out our cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of our revenue as well as gross profit margin and operating profit margin for the periods indicated.

 

                 For the Year Ended  December 31,              
         2013             2014             2015      
     (Percentage of net sales)  

Cost of sales

     88.9     88.7     88.9

Selling and administrative expenses

     6.3        6.3        7.0   

Gross margin

     11.1        11.3        11.1  

Operating profit margin

     4.2        3.9        2.5   

Our operating profit margin decreased from 4.2% in 2013 to 3.9% in 2014 and further decreased to 2.5% in 2015, reflecting the current challenging business environment as discussed below.

We are closely monitoring changes in market conditions and we implemented the following measures in recent years to address challenges posed by the global economic downturn:

 

   

pursuing cost reduction through enhancing product designs, improving productivity and reducing fixed costs;

 

   

focusing on marketing activities to increase the sales of higher margin, higher value-added products and to strengthen our domestic market position; and

 

   

establishing a special sales committee to more effectively respond to changes in market trends and preparing responses to various scenarios of future sales.

 

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Production capacity represents our maximum production capacity that can be achieved with an optimal level of operations of our facilities. The table below sets out certain information regarding our production capacity and efficiency in the production of steel products for the periods indicated.

 

             For the Year Ended December 31,           
     2013     2014     2015  

Crude steel and stainless steel production capacity (million tons per year) (1)

     40.4        43.5        47.6   

POSCO

     38.1        38.2        42.4   

POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd. (1)

     1.2        1.2          

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

     1.1        1.1        1.1   

PT. Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd.

            3.0        3.0   

POSCO SS VINA Co., Ltd.

                   1.1   

Actual crude steel and stainless steel output (million tons) (2)

     38.3        41.4        42.0   

POSCO

     36.4        37.7        38.0   

POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd. (1)

     0.7        0.7          

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

     1.1        1.2        1.2   

PT. Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd.

            1.9        2.7   

POSCO SS VINA Co., Ltd.

                   0.2   

Capacity utilization rate (%) (1)

     94.6     95.2     88.3

POSCO

     95.5     98.6     89.5

POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd. (1)

     61.8     60.1       

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

     100.3     104.9     106.1

PT. Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd.

            63.4     90.7

POSCO SS VINA Co., Ltd.

                   15.8

 

 

(1) In March 2015, we sold an aggregate of 52.2% of our interest in POSCO Specialty Steel to SeAH Besteel Corp., Shinyoung Securities Co., Ltd. and Shinhan Investment Corp. for approximately Won 419 billion. As a result, we hold a 19.9% interest in POSCO Specialty Steel.

 

(2) Reflects production capacity of POSCO, Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd, PT. Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd. and POSCO SS VINA Co., Ltd. In 2013 and 2014, also includes production capacity of POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.

Exchange Rate Fluctuations

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared from our local currency denominated financial results, assets and liabilities and our subsidiaries around the world, which are then translated into Won. A substantial proportion of our consolidated financial results is accounted for in currencies other than the Won. Accordingly, our consolidated financial results and assets and liabilities may be materially affected by changes in the exchange rates of foreign currencies. In 2015, 59.7% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us was in overseas markets outside of Korea. To the extent that we incur costs in one currency and make sales in another, our profit margins may be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the two currencies. Since the currency in which sales are recorded may not be the same as the currency in which expenses are incurred, foreign exchange rate fluctuations may materially affect our results of operations. Depreciation of the Won may materially affect the results of our operations because, among other things, it causes:

 

   

an increase in the amount of Won required for us to make interest and principal payments on our foreign currency-denominated debt;

 

   

an increase in Won terms in the costs of raw materials and equipment that we purchase from overseas sources and a substantial portion of our freight costs, which are denominated primarily in Dollars; and

 

   

foreign exchange translation losses on liabilities, which lower our earnings for accounting purposes.

Appreciation of the Won against major currencies, on the other hand, causes:

 

   

our export products to be less competitive by raising our prices in Dollar terms; and

 

   

a reduction in net sales and accounts receivables in Won from export sales, which are primarily denominated in Dollars.

 

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We strive to naturally offset our foreign exchange risk by matching foreign currency receivables with our foreign currency payables and our overseas subsidiaries have sought to further mitigate the adverse impact of exchange rate fluctuations by conducting business transactions in the local currency of the respective market in which the transactions occur. In particular, POSCO Daewoo’s exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates, including the Won/Dollar exchange rate, is limited because trading transactions typically involve matched purchase and sale contracts, which result in limited settlement exposure, and because POSCO Daewoo’s contracts with domestic suppliers of products for export and with domestic purchasers of imported products are generally denominated in Dollars. Although the impact of exchange rate fluctuations is partially mitigated by such strategies, we and our subsidiaries, particularly POSCO Daewoo and POSCO E&C, also periodically enter into derivative contracts, primarily foreign currency swaps and forward exchange contracts, to further hedge our foreign exchange risks. However, our results of operations have historically been affected by exchange rate fluctuations and there can be no assurance that such strategies will be sufficient to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of such fluctuations in the future. Because of the larger positive effects of the appreciation of the Won (i.e., the reverse of the negative effects caused by the depreciation of the Won, as discussed above), depreciation of the Won generally has a negative impact on our results of operations.

Inflation

Inflation in Korea, which was 1.3% in 2013, 1.3% in 2014 and 0.7% in 2015, has not had a material impact on our results of operations in recent years.

Critical Accounting Estimates

We have prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts in our consolidated financial statements. Our estimates and judgments are based on historical experience, forecasted future events and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and judgments may differ under different assumptions or conditions. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We believe the critical accounting policies discussed below are the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations. Each of them is dependent on projections of future market conditions, and they require us to make the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for exposures in our receivable balances that represent our estimate of probable losses in our short-term and long-term receivable balances from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate and negatively impact their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Determining the allowance for doubtful accounts requires significant management judgment and estimates including, among others, the credit worthiness of our customers, experience of historical collection patterns, potential events and circumstances affecting future collections and the ongoing risk assessment of our customer’s ability to pay.

Trade account receivables are analyzed on a regular basis and, upon our becoming aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial commitments to us, the value of the receivable is reduced through a charge to the allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, we record a charge to the allowance for doubtful accounts upon receipt of customer claims in connection with sales that management estimates are unlikely to be collected in full. As of December 31, 2015, the percentage of allowance for doubtful accounts to trade accounts and notes receivable and other receivables was 7.55%. Our allowance for doubtful accounts increased by 4.8%, or Won 46 billion, from Won 954 billion as of December 31, 2014 to Won 1,000 billion as of December 31, 2015. See Note 23 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Assumptions and judgments related to the allowance for doubtful accounts did not change in 2015.

 

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Specifically, allowances for doubtful accounts are recorded when any of the following loss events occur: (i) there is objective evidence as to the uncollectability of the account observed through bankruptcy, default or involuntary dissolution of the customer; (ii) we lose a lawsuit against the customer or our right of claim gets extinguished; (iii) our costs to collect the account exceed the payments to be received; or (iv) a dispute with the customer over the collection of the account persists for more than three years.

The actual average annual uncollected percentage rate of accounts receivables resulting in write-offs for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 was 0.16%. These historical results, as well as current known conditions impacting the collectability of our accounts receivable balances, are significant factors for us when we estimate the amount of the necessary allowance for doubtful accounts. Historically, losses from uncollectible accounts receivables have been within expectations and in line with the allowances established. However, unforeseen circumstances such as adverse market conditions that deviate significantly from our estimates may require us to change the timing of, and make additional allowances to, our receivable balances. In this case, our results of operations, financial condition and net worth could be materially and adversely affected.

Valuation of Financial Instruments including Debt and Equity Securities and Derivatives

We invest in various financial instruments including debt and equity securities and derivatives. Depending on the accounting treatment specific to each type of financial instrument, an estimate of fair value is required to determine the instrument’s effect on our consolidated financial statements.

If available, quoted market prices provide the best indication of fair value. We determine the fair value of our financial instruments using quoted market prices when available, including quotes from dealers trading those securities. If quoted market prices are not available, we determine the fair value based on pricing or valuation models, quoted prices of instruments with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Determining the fair value of unlisted financial instruments involves a significant degree of management resources and judgment as no quoted prices exist and such securities are generally very thinly traded. Derivatives for which quoted market prices are not available are valued using valuation models such as the discounted cash flow method. The key inputs used in the valuation of such derivatives depend upon the type of derivative and the nature of the underlying instrument and include interest rate yield curves, foreign exchange rates, the spot price of the underlying instrument, volatility and correlation. The fair values based on pricing and valuation models and discounted cash flow analysis are subject to various assumptions used that, if changed, could significantly affect the fair value of the investments.

We assess at the end of each reporting period whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. In the case of equity investments classified as available-for-sale, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is also evidence that the asset is impaired. As part of this impairment review, the investee’s operating results, net asset value and future performance forecasts as well as general market conditions are taken into consideration in order to assess whether there is any objective evidence such as significant financial difficulty of the issuer.

We have estimated fair values of material non-marketable securities. We estimated these fair values based on pricing or valuation models, quoted prices of instruments with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flow models. The discounted cash flow model valuation technique is based on the estimated cash flow projections of the underlying investee. Key assumptions and estimates include market conditions, revenue growth rates, operating margin rates, income tax rates, depreciation and amortization rates, the level of capital expenditures, working capital amounts and the discount rates. These estimates are based on historical results of the investee and other market data. In these cash flows projections, the two most significant estimates are the discount rates and revenue growth rates. If the discount rates used in these valuations were increased by 1%, then the estimated fair values would

 

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have decreased by 18% in total. In addition, if the revenue growth rate assumptions were decreased by 1% in the cash flow models, then the estimated fair values would have decreased by 16% in total.

We recognized impairment losses on available-for-sale investments of Won 370 billion in 2014 and Won 143 billion in 2015. Our impairment losses on available-for-sale investments in recent years related primarily to a significant and prolonged decline in the fair value of shares of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and Dongbu Metal Co., Ltd. below cost.

Historically, our estimates and assumptions used to evaluate impairment of investments have been within expectations. However, unforeseen circumstances such as adverse market conditions that deviate significantly from our estimates may require us to recognize additional losses on impairment of investments. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair values of our investments and potentially result in different impacts on our results of operations.

Long-lived Assets

At each reporting date, we review the carrying amounts of our tangible and intangible assets (excluding goodwill) to determine whether there is any indication that the carrying amount of those assets may not be recoverable through continuing use. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset (or cash generating unit) is reviewed in order to determine the amount of the impairment, if any. The recoverable amount is the higher of the asset’s net selling price (fair value reduced by selling costs) and its value in use. When the book value of long-lived asset exceeds the recoverable value of the asset due to obsolescence, physical damage or a decline in market value and such amount is material, the impairment of the asset is recognized and the asset’s carrying value is reduced to its recoverable value and the resulting impairment loss is charged to current operations. Such recoverable value is based on our estimates of the future use of assets and is subject to changes in market conditions. Based on an impairment test as of December 31, 2015, we recognized impairment loss on property, plant and equipment amounting to Won 136 billion in 2015.

The depreciable lives and salvage values of our long-lived assets are estimated and reviewed each year based on industry practices and prior experience to reflect economic lives of long-lived assets. Our estimates of the useful lives and recoverable values of long-lived assets are based on historical trends adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. Also, our estimates include the expected future period in which the future cash flows are expected to be generated from continuing use of the assets that we review for impairment and cash outflows to prepare the assets for use that can be directly attributed or allocated on a reasonable and consistent basis. If applicable, estimates also include net cash flows to be received or paid for the disposal of the assets at the end of their useful lives. As a result of the impairment review, when the sum of the discounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets is less than the book value of the assets, we recognize impairment losses based on the recoverable value of those assets. We make a number of significant assumptions and estimates in the application of the discounted cash flow model to forecast cash flows, including business prospects, market conditions, selling prices and sales volume of products, costs of production and funding sources. The estimated cash flow forecast amounts are derived from the most recent financial budgets for the next five years. For periods beyond the five year forecast period, we use a terminal value approach to estimate the cash flows for the remaining years based on an expected estimated growth rate. This estimated growth rate is based on actual historical results. As of December 31, 2015, we estimated an average discount rate of 5.5% and an average rate of revenue growth of 1.4%. However, given the current economic environment, it is likely that the estimates and assumptions will be more volatile than they have been in the past. Further impairment charges may be required if triggering events occur, such as adverse market conditions, that suggest deterioration in an asset’s recoverability or fair value. Assessment of the timing of when such declines become other than temporary and the amount of such impairment is a matter of

 

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significant judgment. Results in actual transactions could differ from those estimates used to evaluate the impairment of such long-lived assets. If our future cash flow projections are not realized, either because of an extended recessionary period or other unforeseen events, impairment charges may be required in future periods.

If the estimated average discount rates used in these valuations were increased by 1%, then the estimated fair values would have decreased by 19.3% in total. If the estimated average rate of revenue growth rate were decreased by 1%, then the estimated fair values would have decreased by 17.2% in total. These sensitivity analyses do not affect the impairment loss due to the absence of an impairment loss indicator for our long-lived assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at the level of the groups of cash generating units or whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The recoverable amounts of the groups of cash-generating units are determined from the higher of their fair value less cost to sell or their value-in-use calculations. The key assumptions for the value in use calculations are those regarding the discount rates, growth rates and expected changes to selling prices and direct costs during the period.

Our management estimates discount rates using post-tax rates that reflect current market rates for investments of similar risk. Growth rates are based on industry growth forecasts, and changes in selling prices and direct costs are based on historical experience and expectations of future changes in the market. Cash flow forecasts are derived from the most recent financial budgets for the next five years. Beyond the specifically forecasted period, we extrapolate cash flows for the remaining years based on an estimated growth rate. This rate does not exceed the average long-term growth rate for the relevant markets. Once recognized, impairment losses recognized for goodwill are not reversed.

In validating the value in use determined for the cash generating units, the sensitivity of key assumptions used in the discounted cash-flow model such as discount rates and the terminal growth rate was evaluated. If the estimated average discount rates used in these valuations were increased by 0.25%, the estimated value-in-use would have decreased by 3.65% in total. If the estimated terminal growth rates were decreased by 0.25%, the estimated value-in-use would have decreased by 1.24% in total. If the discount rate assumptions were increased by 0.25% or the terminal growth rate assumptions were decreased by 0.25%, there would be no impact on goodwill impairment. Based on an impairment test as of December 31, 2015, we recognized impairment loss on goodwill of Won 99 billion in 2015, which related primarily to impairment of goodwill related to EPC Equities LLP. We believe that determining the existence and impairment of goodwill is a critical accounting estimate because significant management judgment is involved in the evaluation of the value of goodwill, and any reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions on which the recoverable amount is based would cause a change in impairment loss on goodwill. See Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Costs of inventories are determined using the moving-weighted average or weighted average method. Materials-in-transit are determined using the specific identification method. Amounts of inventory are written down to net realizable value due to losses occurring in the normal course of business and the allowance is reported as a contra inventory account, while the related charge is recognized in cost of goods sold.

The net realizable value is determined based on the latest selling price available at the end of each quarter taking into account the directly attributable selling costs. The latest selling price is the base price which is the negotiated selling price based upon the recent transactions entered into with major customers. Considering that our inventory turnover is approximately two months and inventories

 

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at the balance sheet date would be sold during the following two months, we perform valuation of inventories using the base price as of the balance sheet date and adjust for significant changes in selling price occurring subsequent to the reporting date. The selling price range used for determining the net realizable value of our inventories ranged from the inventory cost amount less 16.1% of gross profit margin to the inventory cost amount plus 11.4% of gross profit margin. For inventories in which expected selling prices are less than the cost amount, the necessary adjustment to write-down the inventories to net realizable value is made. There was no recovery in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The valuation losses of inventories recognized within cost of goods sold were Won 49 billion in 2013, Won 42 billion in 2014 and Won 153 billion in 2015.

Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

We hold a significant amount of investments in associates and joint ventures, which interests are accounted for using the equity method. As of December 31, 2015, the book value of our investments in associates and joint ventures was Won 3,945 billion. The carrying amounts of our investments in associates and joint ventures are reviewed at the end of the reporting period to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated.

We estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset. If it is impossible to measure the individual recoverable amount of an asset, then we estimate the recoverable amount of cash-generating unit (“CGU”), which is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. The value in use is estimated by applying a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU for which estimated future cash flows have not been adjusted, to the estimated future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or CGU. We treat individual operating entities as CGUs, and an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or a CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss.

As part of our impairment review, the operating results, net asset value and future performance forecasts of our associates and joint ventures as well as general market conditions are taken into consideration in order to assess whether there is any objective evidence of impairment, such as significant financial difficulty of the associate or joint venture. Unforeseen circumstances such as adverse market conditions that deviate significantly from our estimates may require us to recognize additional losses on impairment of our interest in our associates and joint ventures. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair values used to evaluate impairment of our interest in our associates and joint ventures and potentially have different impacts on our results of operations.

Revenue Recognition for Construction Contracts

POSCO E&C, our consolidated subsidiary, engages in various construction activities, including construction of industrial plants and commercial and residential buildings, and revenue recognition are different based on types of contracts. When the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognized in profit or loss in proportion to the stage of completion of the project. Contract revenue includes the initial amount agreed in the contract plus any variation in contract work, claims and incentive payments, to the extent that it is probable that they will result in revenue and can be measured reliably. The stage of completion of a contract is determined based on the proportion that contract costs incurred for work performed to date bear to the estimated total contract costs. On the other hand, when the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, the revenue is recognized only to the extent of contract costs incurred that are likely to be recoverable. An expected loss on the construction contract is recognized as an expense immediately.

 

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Our contract revenue recognition policy requires our management to exercise judgment in estimating the outcome of our contracts and measuring the percentage of completion and actual costs incurred in respect of our projects, which affects the amount and timing of recognition of revenues and cost of sales, provisions for estimated losses, charges against current earnings, trade account receivables and advances. Our ability to measure reliably the estimated total cost of a project has a significant effect on the amount and timing of recognizing our sales and cost of sales. The timing of recognition of sales we report may differ materially from the timing of actual contract payments received. In addition, to the extent that sales recognized by us exceed the amount of payments to be received by us, such amount is reflected as trade account receivables on our balance sheet. To the extent payments received by us exceed the sales recognized, such amount is reflected under advances from customers on our balance sheet. Thus our ability to measure reliably the estimated total costs and the percentage of completion also affects the amount of our trade account receivables and advances from customers.

Deferred Income Taxes

Our deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which we expect, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying mount of our assets and liabilities. We recognize deferred income tax liability for all taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, except to the extent that we are able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. We recognize deferred income tax asset for deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which they can be utilized. However, deferred tax is not recognized for taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill or the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting profit or loss nor taxable income. The carrying amount of a deferred income tax asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and is reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow the benefit of part or all of that deferred tax asset to be utilized.

We believe that recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities is a significant accounting policy that requires our management’s estimates and assumptions regarding, among other things, the level of future taxable income, interpretation of the tax laws and tax planning. Changes in tax laws, projected levels of taxable income and tax planning could affect the effective tax rate and tax balances recorded by us in the future.

Employee Benefits

Our accounting of employee benefits for defined benefit plans involves judgments about uncertain events including, but not limited to, discount rates, life expectancy, future pay inflation and expected rate of return on plan assets. The discount rates are determined by reference to the yield at the reporting date on high quality corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating the terms of our benefits obligations and that are denominated in the same currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid. We determine the net interest expense (income) on the net defined benefit liability (asset) for the period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the then-net defined benefit liability (asset), taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability (asset) during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments, net interest expense, and other expenses related to defined benefit plans that are recognized in profit or loss. Due to changing market and economic conditions, the underlying key assumptions may differ from actual developments and may lead to significant changes in our defined benefit plan. We immediately recognize all actuarial gains and losses arising from defined benefit plans in retained earnings. If the estimated average discount rates by actuarial assumptions used in these

 

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valuations were increased by 1%, then the estimated provision for severance benefits would have decreased by Won 133 billion, or 7.8% in total. If the estimated future pay inflation rates were decreased by 1%, then the estimated provision for severance benefits would have decreased by Won 130 billion, or 7.6% in total.

Explanatory Note Regarding Presentation of Certain Financial Information under K-IFRS

In addition to preparing financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report, we also prepare financial statements in accordance with K-IFRS as adopted by the KASB, which we are required to file with the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange under the FSCMA.

 

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During the three years ended December 31, 2015, we are required to adopt certain amendments and interpretations to K-IFRS, relating to presentation of operating profit. Additionally, under K-IFRS, revenue from the development and sale of real estate is recognized using the percentage of completion method. However, under IFRS as issued by the IASB, revenue from the development and sale of certain real estate is recognized when an individual unit of residential real estate is delivered to the buyer. As a result, our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and our consolidated statements of financial position prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report differ from our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of financial position prepared in accordance with K-IFRS. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our operating profit and net income or loss as presented in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 to our operating profit and net income or loss in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income prepared in accordance with K-IFRS, for each of the corresponding years, taking into account such differences:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2014     2015  
     (In millions of Won)  

Operating profit under IFRS as issued by the IASB

       2,566,269          2,512,998          1,486,380   

Additions:

      

Impairment loss on assets held for sale

     1,814        17,205        133,547   

Loss on disposals of assets held for sale

     26,498        14        190,357   

Loss on disposals of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     19,404        2,556        18,996   

Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     121,133        50,006        101,732   

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment

     9,742        64,833        136,269   

Impairment loss on intangible assets

     125,316        55,220        161,412   

Other bad debt expenses

     111,065        96,373        158,071   

Idle tangible assets expenses

     17,624        12,214        12,773   

Impairment loss on other non-current assets

     9,000        38,137        12,264   

Other provision expenses

     65,896        126,601        18,396   

Donations

     60,940        69,544        62,957   

Others

     82,374        446,971        435,524   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     650,806        979,674        1,442,298   

Deductions:

      

Gain on disposals of assets held for sale

     (101,611     (48,232     (227,956

Gain on disposals of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     (7,668     (41,258     (88,718

Gain on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     (14,177     (15,039     (22,730

Recovery of allowance for other doubtful accounts

                   (10,452

Rental revenues

     (1,588     (1,743     (1,019

Gain on insurance proceeds

     (1,000     (2,924     (14,976

Others

     (103,029     (160,210     (183,197
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (229,073     (269,406     (549,048
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue recognition related to development and sale of real estate

     98,907        339,820        (329,923

Cost of sales recognition related to development and sale of real estate

     (90,775     (349,556     360,336   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit under K-IFRS

       2,996,134          3,213,530          2,410,043   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) under IFRS as issued by the IASB

       1,349,016      564,039      (116,215)   

Adjustments related to development and sale of real estate:

      

Revenue

     98,907        339,820        (329,923

Cost of sales

     (90,775     (349,556     360,336   

Income tax

     (1,968     2,356        (10,379
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) under K-IFRS

       1,355,180          556,659          ( 96,181
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Operating Results — 2014 Compared to 2015

The following table presents our income statement information and changes therein for 2014 and 2015.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,       2014 versus 2015    
     2014     2015     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Revenue

       64,759          58,522          (6,236     (9.6 )% 

Cost of sales

     57,465        52,018        (5,447     (9.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Gross profit

     7,293        6,504        (789     (10.8

Administrative expenses

     2,310        2,395        85        3.7   

Selling expenses

     1,760        1,729        (31     (1.8

Other operating income

     269        549        280        103.8   

Other operating expenses

     980        1,442        463        47.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Operating profit

     2,513        1,486        (1,027     (40.9

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees

     300        506        206        68.7   

Finance income

     2,397        2,557        160        6.7   

Finance costs

     3,222        3,387        165        5.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Profit before income tax

     1,388        150        (1,238     (89.2

Income tax expense

     824        267        (557     (67.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Profit (loss)

     564        (116     (680     N.A.  (1) 

Profit for the period attributable to owners of the controlling company

     633        171        (461     (72.9

Loss for the period attributable to non-controlling interests

     (69     (288     (219     319.0   

 

 

(1) N.A. means not applicable.

 

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Revenue

The following table presents our revenue by segment and changes therein for 2014 and 2015.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,       2014 versus 2015    
     2014     2015     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment:

        

External revenue

       31,842          28,293          (3,549     (11.1 )% 

Internal revenue

     17,755        16,544        (1,211     (6.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Steel Segment

     49,597        44,837        (4,760     (9.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Trading Segment:

        

External revenue

     21,166        18,315        (2,850     (13.5

Internal revenue

     10,095        8,692        (1,403     (13.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Trading Segment

     31,261        27,008        (4,253     (13.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Construction Segment:

        

External revenue

     8,119        8,516        397        4.9   

Internal revenue

     2,185        1,352        (832     (38.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Construction Segment

     10,304        9,868        (436     (4.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Others Segment:

        

External revenue

     3,972        3,068        (903     (22.7

Internal revenue

     3,095        2,691        (403     (13.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Others Segment

     7,066        5,760        (1,307     (18.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue prior to consolidation adjustments and basis difference

     98,228        87,472        (10,756     (11.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Consolidation adjustments

     (33,129     (29,279     3,850        (11.6

Basis difference (1)

     (340     330        670        N.A.  (2) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Revenue

   64,759      58,522        (6,236     (9.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1) Basis difference is related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 41 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2) N.A. means not applicable.

Our revenue decreased by 9.6%, or Won 6,236 billion, from Won 64,759 billion in 2014 to Won 58,522 billion in 2015 primarily due to decreases in external revenues from the Steel Segment, the Trading Segment and the Others Segment, which were offset in part by an increase in external revenues from the Construction Segment. Specifically:

Steel Segment. External revenue from the Steel Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, decreased by 11.1%, or Won 3,549 billion, from Won 31,842 billion in 2014 to Won 28,293 billion primarily due to a decrease in the average unit sales price per ton of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, which was offset in part by an increase in our sales volume of the steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers (including miscellaneous steel products not included in any of our major product categories). The weighted average unit sales price per ton of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 14.8% from Won 936,405 per ton in 2014 to Won 798,217 per ton in 2015, while the overall sales volume of the steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers (including miscellaneous steel products) increased by 3.9% from 30.4 million tons in 2014 to 31.6 million tons in 2015. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

The unit sales prices in Won of hot rolled products, wire rods, plates, stainless steel products and cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased

 

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by 20.1%, 19.5%, 19.3%, 14.4% and 11.2%, respectively, from 2014 to 2015. On the other hand, the unit sales prices in Won of silicon steel sheets produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 5.1% from 2014 to 2015. For a discussion of changes in the unit sales prices of each of our principal product lines, see “— Overview — Sales Volume, Prices and Product Mix” above.

 

   

The sales volume of wire rods, hot rolled products, stainless steel products and cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 11.2%, 9.7%, 4.1% and 1.0%, respectively, from 2014 to 2015. On the other hand, our sales volume of plates and silicon steel sheets produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 1.1% and 0.7%, respectively, from 2014 to 2015. For a discussion of changes in sales volume of each of our principal product lines, see “Item 4.B. Business Overview — Major Products.”

Total revenue from the Steel Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, decreased by 9.6%, or Won 4,760 billion, from Won 49,597 billion in 2014 to Won 44,837 billion in 2015 as internal revenue from inter-company transactions decreased by 6.8%, or Won 1,211 billion, from Won 17,755 billion in 2014 to Won 16,543 billion in 2015. Such decrease primarily reflected a decrease in the average unit sales price of the steel products sold to our sales subsidiaries, which was offset in part by an increase in reliance on sales subsidiaries for the sale of our steel products.

Trading Segment. External revenue from the Trading Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, decreased by 13.5%, or Won 2,850 billion, from Won 21,166 billion in 2014 to Won 18,315 billion in 2015 primarily due to a decrease in third-country trades by POSCO Daewoo and our other trading subsidiaries from 2014 to 2015, reflecting market conditions related to the deterioration of the global economy that has been characterized by weaker demand and falling prices for export and import products, reduced trading volume and intense competition among trading companies, which were partially offset by an increase in revenue from natural resources development activities, particularly from revenue related to the gas produced at the Myanmar gas fields.

Total revenue from the Trading Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, decreased by 13.6%, or Won 4,253 billion, from Won 31,261 billion in 2014 to Won 27,008 billion in 2015 as internal revenue from inter-company transactions decreased by 13.9%, or Won 1,403 billion, from Won 10,095 billion in 2014 to Won 8,692 billion in 2015 primarily due to the reasons stated above.

Construction Segment. External revenue from the Construction Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, increased by 4.9%, or Won 397 billion, from Won 8,119 billion in 2014 to Won 8,516 billion in 2015 primarily due to an increase in POSCO E&C’s construction activities in Brazil relating to the construction of a steel plant.

Total revenue from the Construction Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, decreased by 4.2%, or Won 436 billion, from Won 10,304 billion in 2014 to Won 9,868 billion in 2015 as internal revenue from inter-company transactions decreased by 38.1%, or Won 832 billion, from Won 2,185 billion in 2014 to Won 1,352 billion in 2015. Such decrease primarily reflected a decrease in the amount of construction activities for member companies of the POSCO Group, which was partially offset by an increase in external revenue as discussed above.

Others Segment. The Others Segment includes power generation, LNG production, network and system integration, logistics and magnesium coil and sheet production. External revenue from the Others Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, decreased by 22.7%, or Won 903 billion, from Won 3,972 billion in

 

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2014 to Won 3,068 billion in 2015 primarily due to a decrease in revenue of POSCO Energy Corporation reflecting a decrease in the unit price of electric power sold, which was offset in part by an increase in the volume of power sold.

Total revenue from the Others Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, decreased by 18.5%, or Won 1,307 billion, from Won 7,066 billion in 2014 to Won 5,760 billion in 2015 as internal revenue from inter-company transactions decreased by 13.0%, or Won 403 billion, from Won 3,095 billion in 2014 to Won 2,691 billion in 2015. Such decrease primarily reflected a decrease in inter-company sales of POSCO ICT Co., Ltd. due to a general reduction in investments made by the POSCO Group in 2015, which in turn reduced demand for system network integration and outsourcing services provided by POSCO ICT Co., Ltd. In addition, inter-company sales between eNtoB Corporation and POSCO E&C related to the construction of a synthetic natural gas production plant in Gwangyang also decreased in 2015 due to the substantial completion of POSCO E&C’s construction activities during 2015.

Cost of Sales

Our cost of sales decreased by 9.5%, or Won 5,447 billion, from Won 57,465 billion in 2014 to Won 52,018 billion in 2015. The decrease in cost of sales was primarily due to decreases in the average price in Won terms of key raw materials that were used to manufacture our finished goods sold, as well as a decrease in trading activities as discussed above, which were partially offset by an increase in our sales volume of steel products.

The following table presents a breakdown of our cost of sales by segment, prior to adjusting for inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, and changes therein for 2014 and 2015.

 

                 Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2014 versus 2015  
             2014                     2015                 Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

   44,587      40,381      (4,207     (9.4 )% 

Trading Segment

     29,884        25,563          (4,321     (14.5

Construction Segment

     9,554        9,248        (305     (3.2

Others Segment

     6,366        5,158        (1,208     (19.0

Consolidation adjustments

     (32,577     (28,692     3,884        (11.9

Basis difference (1)

     (350     360        710        N.A.  (2) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Cost of sales

   57,465        52,018        (5,447     (9.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1) Basis difference is related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 41 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2) N.A. means not applicable.

Steel Segment. The cost of sales of our Steel Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased by 9.4%, or Won 4,207 billion, from Won 44,587 billion in 2014 to Won 40,381 billion in 2015 primarily due to decreases in the average price in Won terms of key raw materials that were used to manufacture our finished goods sold, the impact of which was partially offset by an increase in our sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers.

Trading Segment. The cost of sales of our Trading Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased by 14.5%, or Won 4,321 billion, from Won 29,884 billion in 2014 to Won 25,563 billion in 2015 primarily due to decreases in cost of export and import products sold as well as our trading volumes, the impact of which was partially offset by an increase in the production costs related to gas produced at the Myanmar gas fields and sold to customers.

 

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Construction Segment. The cost of sales of our Construction Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased by 3.2%, or Won 305 billion, from Won 9,554 billion in 2014 to Won 9,248 billion in 2015 in line with the decrease in total revenue from the Construction Segment.

Others Segment. The cost of sales of our Others Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased by 19.0%, or Won 1,208 billion, from Won 6,366 billion in 2014 to Won 5,158 billion in 2015 primarily due to decreases in the average price in Won terms of key raw materials of POSCO Energy Corporation.

Gross Profit

Our gross profit decreased by 10.8%, or Won 789 billion, from Won 7,293 billion in 2014 to Won 6,504 billion in 2015 primarily due to decreases in gross profit of our Steel Segment, Construction Segment and Others Segment, which were partially offset by an increase in gross profit of our Trading Segment. Our gross margin decreased from 11.3% in 2014 to 11.1% in 2015.

The following table presents our gross profit by segment, prior to adjusting for inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, and changes therein for 2014 and 2015.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,       2014 versus 2015    
     2014     2015     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

       5,010          4,456          (553     (11.0 )% 

Trading Segment

     1,376        1,445        68        4.9   

Construction Segment

     750        619        (130     (17.4

Others Segment

     700        601        (99     (14.1

Consolidation adjustments

     (553     (587     (34     6.2   

Basis difference (1)

     10        (30     (40     N.A.  (2) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Gross profit

       7,293          6,504        (789     (10.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1) Basis difference is related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 41 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2) N.A. means not applicable.

Steel Segment. The gross profit of our Steel Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased by 11.0%, or Won 553 billion, from Won 5,010 billion in 2014 to Won 4,456 billion in 2015 primarily due to a decrease in the average unit sales price per ton of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, which was partially offset by a decrease in the average price in Won terms of coal and other key raw materials that were used to manufacture our finished steel products sold and an increase in the overall sales volume of our principal steel products, as discussed above. The gross margin of our Steel Segment, which is gross profit as a percentage of total revenue prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased from 10.1% in 2014 to 9.9% in 2015.

Trading Segment. The gross profit of our Trading Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, increased by 4.9%, or Won 68 billion, from Won 1,376 billion in 2014 to Won 1,445 billion in 2015, reflecting POSCO Daewoo’s and our other trading subsidiaries’ efforts to streamline their trading operations to focus on higher margin trades, as well as an increase in gross profit of the Myanmar gas fields. The gross margin of our Trading Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, increased from 4.4% in 2014 to 5.3% in 2015.

Construction Segment. The gross profit of our Construction Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased by 17.4%, or Won 130 billion, from Won 750 billion in 2014 to Won 619 billion in 2015, and the gross margin decreased from 7.3% in 2014 to 6.3% in 2015 primarily due to a

 

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decrease in construction activities for member companies of the POSCO Group, as well as the weakening of market conditions in the domestic construction industry in 2015 that resulted in an increase in competition.

Others Segment. The gross profit of our Others Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased by 14.1%, or Won 99 billion, from Won 700 billion in 2014 to Won 601 billion in 2015 primarily due to decreases in gross profit of POSCO Chemtech Co., Ltd., POS-HIMetal Co., Ltd. and POSCO ICT Co., Ltd. Despite such decreases, gross margin increased from 9.9% in 2014 to 10.4% in 2015 due to the larger decrease in revenue as discussed above.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

The following table presents a breakdown of our selling and administrative expenses and changes therein for 2014 and 2015.

 

                   Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2014 versus 2015  
     2014      2015      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Freight and custody expenses

   1,552       1,532       (20     (1.3 )% 

Sales commissions

     66         80         14        20.8   

Sales promotion

     26         22         (3     (12.9

Sales insurance premium

     40         31         (9     (22.4

Contract cost

     50         38         (11     (23.0

Others

     27         25         (2     (5.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total selling expenses

       1,760           1,729         (31     (1.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Wages and salaries

   781       811       29        3.8

Expenses related to post-employment benefits

     67         87         21        30.8   

Other employee benefits

     174         194             20        11.4   

Depreciation and amortization

     273         274         1        0.3   

Taxes and public dues

     56         74         19        33.5   

Rental

     137         120         (18     (12.8

Advertising

     104         91         (14     (13.2

Research and development

     175         136         (40     (22.7

Service fees

     216         219         3        1.3   

Bad debt allowance

     109         190         81        74.1   

Others

     217         200         (16     (7.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total administrative expenses

   2,310       2,395         85        3.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total selling and administrative expenses

       4,070           4,124         54        1.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Our selling and administrative expenses increased by 1.3%, or Won 54 billion, from Won 4,070 billion in 2014 to Won 4,124 billion in 2015 primarily due to increases in bad debt allowance, labor-related expenses and expenses related to post-employment benefits, which were partially offset by a decrease in research and development expenses and freight and custody expenses. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

Our bad debt allowance increased by 74.1%, or Won 81 billion, from Won 109 billion in 2014 to Won 190 billion in 2015 primarily due to additional bad debt allowance recognized related to POSCO Daewoo’s outstanding receivables in Kazakhstan as well as POSCO E&C’s bad debt allowance related to pre-sales of residential apartments in Chungnam, Korea.

 

   

Our labor-related expenses included in selling and administrative expenses, which consist of wages and salaries, other employee benefits and expenses related to post-employment benefits, increased by 6.8%, or Won 70 billion, from Won 1,022 billion in 2014 to Won 1,092 billion in 2015 primarily due to increases in wages as well as post-employment

 

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benefits and other employee benefits related to an increase in early retirement of our employees in 2015, which were offset in part by a decrease in the number of administrative personnel.

 

   

Our research and development expenses decreased by 22.7%, or Won 40 billion, from Won 175 billion in 2014 to Won 136 billion in 2015 primarily due to a decrease in our development activities for new products.

 

   

Our freight and custody expenses decreased by 1.3%, or Won 20 billion, from Won 1,552 billion in 2014 to Won 1,532 billion in 2015 primarily due to an increase in our export volume, which was offset in part by a decrease in freight rates.

Other Operating Income and Expenses

The following table presents a breakdown of our other operating income and expenses and changes therein for 2014 and 2015.

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2014 versus 2015  
             2014                      2015                  Amount          %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Gain on disposals of assets held for sale

   48       228           180         372.6

Gain on disposals of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     41         89         47         115.0   

Gain on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     15         23         8         51.1   

Recovery of allowance for other doubtful accounts

             10         10         N.A.  (1) 

Gain on insurance proceeds

     3         15         12         412.2   

Others

     162         184         22         13.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Total other operating income

     269         549         280         103.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

(1) N.A. means not applicable.

Our other operating income increased by 103.8%, or Won 280 billion, from Won 269 billion in 2014 to Won 549 billion in 2015 primarily due to increases in gain on disposals of assets held for sale and gain on disposals of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures. Our gain on disposals of assets held for sale increased by 372.6%, or Won 180 billion, from Won 48 billion in 2014 to Won 228 billion in 2015. In 2014, we recognized a gain of Won 48 billion on disposals of assets held for sale primarily from our disposition of International Business Center Corporation shares. In 2015, we recognized a gain of Won 228 billion on disposals of assets held for sale primarily from the disposal of our 52.2% interest in SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.) and our shares in POSFINE Co., Ltd. Our gain on disposals of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures increased by 115.0%, or Won 47 billion, from Won 41 billion in 2014 to Won 89 billion in 2015 primarily due to disposition of our interests in some of our subsidiaries and associates as part of our reorganization efforts.

 

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            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2014 versus 2015  
             2014                      2015                  Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Impairment loss on assets held for sale

       17         134         116        676.2

Loss on disposals of assets held for sale

     0         190         190        N.A.  (1) 

Loss on disposals of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     3         19         16        643.2   

Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     50         102         52        103.4   

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment

     65         136         71        110.2   

Impairment loss on intangible assets

     55         161         106        192.3   

Other bad debt expenses

     96         158         62        64.0   

Idle tangible assets expenses

     12         13         1        4.6   

Impairment loss on other non-current assets

     38         12         (26     (67.8

Other provision expenses

     127         18         (108     (85.5

Donations

     70         63         (7     (9.5

Others(2)

     447         436         (11     (2.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total other operating expenses

       980           1,442         463        47.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

(1) N.A. means not applicable.

 

(2) Includes penalty and additional tax payments of Won 352 billion in 2014 and lawsuit settlement expenses of Won 299 billion in 2015.

Our other operating expenses increased by 47.2%, or Won 463 billion, from Won 980 billion in 2014 to Won 1,442 billion in 2015, primarily due to our recognition of lawsuit settlement expenses in 2015 related to the litigation with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation as well as increases in our loss on disposals of assets held for sale, impairment loss on assets held for sale, impairment loss on intangible assets and impairment loss on property, plant and equipment, which were partially offset by decreases in penalty and additional tax payments and our other provision expenses. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

We recognized lawsuit settlement expenses of Won 299 billion in 2015 related to the litigation with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, compared to no such expenses in 2014. See “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Legal Proceedings.”

 

   

We recognized a loss on disposals of assets held for sale of Won 190 billion in 2015 primarily due to the disposal of our investment in Nacional Minerios S.A. In 2014, we only recognized Won 14 million of loss on disposals of assets held for sale.

 

   

Our impairment loss on assets held for sale increased by 676.2%, or Won 116 billion, from Won 17 billion in 2014 to Won 134 billion in 2015 primarily due to classification of our investment in Nacional Minerios S.A. as assets held for sale and impairment loss from the fair value of such investment less cost to sell being below the carrying amount.

 

   

Our impairment loss on intangible assets increased by 192.3%, or Won 106 billion, from Won 55 billion in 2014 to Won 161 billion in 2015 primarily due to impairment losses in goodwill in 2015 relating to EPC Equities LLP of Won 46 billion, POSCO Plantec Co., Ltd. of Won 38 billion and POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited of Won 16 billion.

 

   

Our impairment loss on property, plant and equipment increased by 110.2%, or Won 71 billion, from Won 65 billion in 2014 to Won 136 billion in 2015 primarily due to an impairment loss of Won 46 billion related to the suspension of operation of our magnesium plant in Gangneung, Korea.

 

   

Our penalty and additional tax payments decreased by 98.7%, or Won 348 billion, from Won 352 billion in 2014 to Won 5 billion in 2015 primarily due to additional tax payments of

 

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Won 272 billion resulting from Korea National tax Service’s periodic audit completed in 2014, which mostly related to value added taxes, compared to no such expenses in 2015.

 

   

Our other provision expenses decreased by 85.5%, or Won 108 billion, from Won 127 billion in 2014 to Won 18 billion in 2015 primarily due to a decrease in our provision related to restoration costs of contaminated land near our magnesium plant in Gangneung, Korea, from Won 89 billion in 2014 to Won 37 billion in 2015.

Operating Profit

Due to the factors described above, our operating profit decreased by 40.9%, or Won 1,027 billion, from Won 2,513 billion in 2014 to Won 1,486 billion in 2015. Our operating margin decreased from 3.9% in 2014 to 2.5% in 2015.

Share of Loss of Equity-Accounted Investees

Our share of loss of equity-accounted investees increased by 68.7%, or by Won 206 billion, from Won 300 billion in 2014 to Won 506 billion in 2015. In 2014, we recognized a net loss for our proportionate share of equity-accounted investees of Won 300 billion primarily due to our share of loss of POSCO Plantec Co., Ltd. (Won 211 billion) and CSP-Compania Siderurgica do Pecem (Won 57 billion), which was partially offset by our share of profit of KOBRASCO (Won 30 billion) and South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd. (Won 26 billion). In 2015, we recognized a net loss for our proportionate share of equity-accounted investees of Won 506 billion primarily due to our share of losses of Eureka Moly LLC (Won 147 billion), CSP-Compania Siderurgica do Pecem (Won 145 billion) and DMSA/AMSA (Won 138 billion), which were partially offset by our share of profits of South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd. (Won 54 billion), KOBRASCO (Won 31 billion) and AES-VCM Mong Duong Power Company Limited (Won 30 billion). For a discussion of our share of profits or losses of equity-accounted investees, see Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Finance Income and Finance Costs

The following table presents a breakdown of our finance income and costs and changes therein for 2014 and 2015.

 

                   Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2014 versus 2015  
             2014                      2015                  Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Interest income

   228       210       (18     (7.9 )% 

Dividend income

     48         184         136        284.1   

Gain on foreign currency transactions

     1,022         1,025         3        0.3   

Gain on foreign currency translations

     453         466         13        2.8   

Gain on derivatives transactions

     328         366         39        11.8   

Gain on valuation of derivatives

     73         155         82        112.0   

Gain on disposals of available-for-sale financial assets

     236         139         (97     (41.2

Others

     7         11         3        46.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total finance income

   2,397       2,557         160        6.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Interest expenses

                796       789         (7     (0.9 )% 

Loss on foreign currency transactions

     1,034         1,157         123        11.9   

Loss on foreign currency translations

     429                 717                 288        67.1   

Loss on derivatives transactions

     353         343         (10     (2.9

Loss on valuation of derivatives

     101         72         (29     (28.8

Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets

     370         143         (227     (61.4

Others

     139         166         27        19.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total finance costs

   3,222       3,387         165        5.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

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We recognized a net gain on foreign currency translations of Won 25 billion in 2014 compared to a net loss on foreign currency translations of Won 251 billion in 2015, and net loss on foreign currency transactions increased more than ten-fold, or Won 120 billion, from Won 11 billion in 2014 to Won 132 billion in 2015, as the Won depreciated against the Dollar in both 2014 and 2015 and the Won appreciated against the Yen in 2014 while it depreciated against the Yen in 2015. In terms of the market average exchange rates announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd., the Won depreciated from Won 1,055.3 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2013 to Won 1,099.2 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2014 and depreciated further to Won 1,172.0 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2015. The Won appreciated against the Yen from Won 1,004.7 per Yen 100 as of December 31, 2013 to Won 920.1 per Yen 100 as of December 31, 2014 but depreciated to Won 972.0 per Yen 100 as of December 31, 2015. Against such fluctuations, we recognized a net loss on valuation of derivatives of Won 28 billion in 2014 compared to a net gain on valuations of derivatives of Won 83 billion in 2015, as well as a net loss on transactions of derivatives of Won 26 billion in 2014 compared to a net gain on transactions of derivatives of Won 23 billion in 2015.

Our gain on disposals of available-for-sale financial assets decreased by 41.2%, or Won 97 billion, from Won 236 billion in 2014 to Won 139 billion in 2015. Our gain in 2014 related primarily to our disposal of interest in SK Telecom Co., Ltd., and our gain in 2015 related primarily to our acquisition of, and subsequent partial disposal of, shares in Congonhas Minerios S.A., as well as our disposal of interest in Sandfire Resources NL by POSCO Australia Pty Ltd. We acquired shares in Congonhas Minerios S.A., a Brazil-based iron ore mining company, in exchange for our shares in Nacional Minerios S.A. For a discussion of our impairment loss on our investment in Nacional Minerios S.A., see “— Operating Results — 2014 Compared to 2015 — Other Operating Income and Expenses.”

Our impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets decreased by 61.4%, or Won 227 billion, from Won 370 billion in 2014 to Won 143 billion in 2015 primarily due to a decrease in our impairment in recent years that related primarily to a significant and prolonged decline in the fair value of shares of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and Dongbu Metal Co., Ltd. below cost.

Our dividend income increased by 284.1%, or Won 136 billion, from Won 48 billion in 2014 to Won 184 billion in 2015 primarily due to the dividend we received from Nacional Minerios S.A.

Income Tax Expense

Our income tax expense decreased by 67.6%, or Won 557 billion, from Won 824 billion in 2014 to Won 267 billion in 2015. Our effective tax rate increased from 59.4% in 2014 to 177.3% in 2015 primarily due to an increase in tax related to investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures from Won 372 billion in 2014 to Won 440 billion in 2015 (that resulted in an increase in effective tax rate of 265.6%), an increase in tax credits from Won 50 billion in 2014 to Won 152 billion in 2015 due to an increase in investment tax credit (that resulted in a decrease in effective tax rate of 97.6%), a decrease in tax effects due to permanent differences from Won 70 billion in 2014 to Won (26) billion in 2015 (that resulted in a decrease in effective tax rate of 22.4%), as well as an increase over provision from prior years from Won 0.5 billion in 2014 to 47 billion in 2015 (that resulted in a decrease in effective tax rate of 31.3%). See Note 35 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Profit

Due to the factors described above, we recorded profit of Won 564 billion in 2014 compared to loss of Won 116 billion in 2015.

The following table presents our profit and loss by segment, prior to adjusting for inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, and changes therein for 2014 and 2015.

 

                 Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2014 versus 2015  
             2014                     2015                 Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

           857              181      (676     (78.8 )% 

Trading Segment

     181        39        (142     (78.6

Construction Segment

     13        (276     (289     N.A. (1) 

Others Segment

     9        (66     (74     N.A. (1) 

Consolidation adjustments

     (503     25                528        N.A. (1) 

Basis difference(2)

     7        (20     (27     N.A. (1) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Profit (loss) for the period

   564      (116     (680     N.A. (1) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1) N.A. means not applicable.

 

(2) Basis difference is related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 41 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Operating Results – 2013 Compared to 2014

The following table presents our income statement information and changes therein for 2013 and 2014.

 

                 Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2013 versus 2014  
             2013                     2014                 Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Revenue

       61,766          64,759          2,993        4.8

Cost of sales

     54,914        57,465        2,552        4.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Gross profit

     6,852        7,293        441        6.4   

Administrative expenses

     2,232        2,310        78        3.5   

Selling expenses

     1,632        1,760        128        7.8   

Other operating income

     229        269        40        17.6   

Other operating expenses

     651        980        329        50.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Operating profit

     2,566        2,513        (53     (2.1

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees

     180        300        120        66.8   

Finance income

     2,381        2,397        16        0.7   

Finance costs

     2,829        3,222        393        13.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Profit before income tax

     1,938        1,388        (550     (28.4

Income tax expense

     589        824        235        39.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Profit

     1,349        564        (785     (58.2

Profit for the period attributable to owners of the controlling company

     1,371        633        (738     (53.8

Loss for the period attributable to non-controlling interests

     (22     (69     (47     214.1   

 

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Revenue

The following table presents our revenue by segment and changes therein for 2013 and 2014.

 

                 Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2013 versus 2014  
             2013                     2014                 Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment:

        

External revenue

   31,795      31,842      47        0.1

Internal revenue

     16,229        17,755        1,526        9.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Steel Segment

     48,024        49,597        1,573        3.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Trading Segment:

        

External revenue

     18, 308        21,166        2,858        15.6   

Internal revenue

     7, 611        10,095        2,484        32.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Trading Segment

     25,919        31,261        5,342        20.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Construction Segment:

        

External revenue

     6,897        8,119        1,222        17.7   

Internal revenue

     3,885        2,185        (1,701     (43.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Construction Segment

     10,782        10,304        (478     (4.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Others Segment:

        

External revenue

     4,865        3,972        (894     (18.4

Internal revenue

     3,019        3,095        75        2.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Others Segment

     7, 885        7,066        (818     (10.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue prior to consolidation adjustments and basis difference

     92,610        98,228        5,618        6.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Consolidation adjustments

     (30,745     (33,129     (2,384     7.8   

Basis difference(1)

     (99     ( 340     (241     243.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Revenue

   61,766      64,759        2,993        4.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1) Basis difference is related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 41 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our revenue increased by 4.8%, or Won 2,993 billion, from Won 61,766 billion in 2013 to Won 64,759 billion in 2014 due to increases in external revenues from the Trading Segment and the Construction Segment, which were offset in part by a decrease in external revenue from the Others Segment. External revenues from the Steel Segment remained relatively unchanged. Specifically:

Steel Segment. External revenue from the Steel Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, increased slightly by 0.1%, or Won 47 billion, from Won 31,795 billion in 2013 to Won 31,842 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in our sales volume of the steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers (including miscellaneous steel products not included in any of our major product categories), which was largely offset by a decrease in the average unit sales price per ton of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. The overall sales volume of the steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers (including miscellaneous steel products) increased by 4.4% from 29.1 million tons in 2013 to 30.4 million tons in 2014, while the weighted average unit sales price per ton of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 6.2% from Won 998,012 per ton in 2013 to Won 936,405 per ton in 2014. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

The sales volume of wire rods, plates and hot rolled produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 38.3%, 20.5% and 2.6%, respectively, from 2013 to 2014. On the other hand, our sales volume of silicon steel sheets, stainless steel products

 

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and cold rolled produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 8.5%, 8.1% and 0.3%, respectively, from 2013 to 2014. For a discussion of changes in sales volume of each of our principal product lines, see “Item 4.B. Business Overview — Major Products.”

 

   

The unit sales prices in Won of wire rods, plates, silicon steel sheets and cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 16.4%, 10.6%, 6.2% and 5.2%, respectively, from 2013 to 2014. On the other hand, the unit sales prices in Won of hot rolled products and stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 1.5% and 0.1%, respectively, from 2013 to 2014. For a discussion of changes in the unit sales prices of each of our principal product lines, see “— Overview — Sales Volume, Prices and Product Mix” above.

Total revenue from the Steel Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, increased by 3.3%, or Won 1,573 billion, from Won 48,024 billion in 2013 to Won 49,597 billion in 2014, as internal revenue from inter-company transactions increased from 2013 to 2014 due to an increase in reliance on sales subsidiaries for the sale of our steel products.

Trading Segment. External revenue from the Trading Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, increased by 15.6%, or Won 2,858 billion, from Won 18,308 billion in 2013 to Won 21,166 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in third-country trades by POSCO Daewoo and our other trading subsidiaries.

Total revenue from the Trading Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, increased by 20.6%, or Won 5,342 billion, from Won 25,919 billion in 2013 to Won 31,261 billion in 2014 primarily due to the reasons stated above, which was enhanced by an increase in reliance on sales subsidiaries by us on our steel trading activities.

Construction Segment. External revenue from the Construction Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, increased by 17.7%, or Won 1,222 billion, from Won 6,897 billion in 2013 to Won 8,119 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in POSCO E&C’s construction activities in architectural works.

Total revenue from the Construction Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, decreased by 4.4%, or Won 478 billion, from Won 10,782 billion in 2013 to Won 10,304 billion in 2014 primarily due to a decrease in internal revenue from inter-company transactions by 43.8%, or Won 1,701 billion, from Won 3,885 billion in 2013 to Won 2,185 billion in 2014 resulting from a decrease in the amount of construction activities for member companies of the POSCO Group. The impact from such decrease was offset in part by an increase in external revenue as discussed above.

Others Segment. The Others Segment includes power generation, LNG production, network and system integration, logistics and magnesium coil and sheet production. External revenue from the Others Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, decreased by 18.4%, or Won 894 billion, from Won 4,865 billion in 2013 to Won 3,972 billion in 2014 primarily due to a decrease in revenue of POSCO Energy Corporation reflecting a decrease in demand for fuel cell energy as well as a decrease in revenue of POSCO ICT Co., Ltd. following the completion of some of its major service contracts in 2014.

Total revenue from the Others Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, decreased by 10.4%, or Won 818 billion, from Won 7,885 billion in 2013 to Won 7,066 billion in 2014, primarily due to the reasons stated above.

Cost of Sales

Our cost of sales increased by 4.6%, or Won 2,552 billion, from Won 54,914 billion in 2013 to Won 57,465 billion in 2014. The increase in cost of sales was primarily due to increases in our sales

 

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volume of steel products and trading activities as discussed above, which were partially offset by decreases in the average price in Won terms of key raw materials that were used to manufacture our steel products sold.

The following table presents a breakdown of our cost of sales by segment, prior to adjusting for inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, and changes therein for 2013 and 2014.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2013 versus 2014  
     2013     2014     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

   43,274      44,587      1,313        3.0

Trading Segment

     24,816        29,884                  5,068        20.4   

Construction Segment

     9,848        9,554        (294     (3.0

Others Segment

     7,123        6,366        (757     (10.6

Consolidation adjustments

     (30,056     (32,576     (2,520     8.4   

Basis difference (1)

     (91     (350     (259     284.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Cost of sales

       54,914          57,465        2,552        4.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1) Basis difference is related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 41 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Steel Segment. The cost of sales of our Steel Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, increased by 3.0%, or Won 1,313 billion, from Won 43,274 billion in 2013 to Won 44,587 billion in 2014 primarily due to increase in our sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, the impact of which was partially offset by decreases in the average price in Won terms of key raw materials that were used to manufacture our finished goods sold.

Trading Segment. The cost of sales of our Trading Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, increased by 20.4%, or Won 5,068 billion, from Won 24,816 billion in 2013 to Won 29,884 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in our trading volumes as well as an increase in the production costs related to gas produced at the Myanmar gas field and sold to customers. The Myanmar gas field began its commercial production in July 2013.

Construction Segment. The cost of sales of our Construction Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased by 3.0%, or Won 294 billion, from Won 9,848 billion in 2013 to Won 9,554 billion in 2014 primarily due to a decrease in the construction activities of POSCO E&C.

Others Segment. The cost of sales of our Others Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased by 10.6%, or Won 757 billion, from Won 7,123 billion in 2013 to Won 6,366 billion in 2014 primarily due to decreases in the average price in Won terms of key raw materials that were used by POSCO Energy Corporation in its power generation activities, as well as a decrease in costs from completion of POSCO ICT Co., Ltd.’s major service contracts in 2014.

Gross Profit

Our gross profit increased by 6.4%, or Won 441 billion, from Won 6,852 billion in 2013 to Won 7,293 billion in 2014 primarily due to increases in gross profit of our Trading Segment and Steel Segment, which were partially offset by a decrease in gross profit of our Construction Segment. Our gross margin increased from 11.1% in 2013 to 11.3% in 2014.

 

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The following table presents our gross profit by segment, prior to adjusting for inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, and changes therein for 2013 and 2014.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2013 versus 2014  
             2013                     2014                 Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

   4,749      5,010      260        5.5

Trading Segment

     1,103        1,376        274        24.8   

Construction Segment

     934        750        (184     (19.7

Others Segment

     761        700        (61     (8.0

Consolidation adjustments

     (687     (553               134        (19.5

Basis difference (1)

     (8     10        18        N.A.  (2) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Gross profit

       6,852          7,293        441        6.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1) Basis difference is related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 41 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2) N.A. means not applicable.

Steel Segment. The gross profit of our Steel Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, increased by 5.5%, or Won 260 billion, from Won 4,749 billion in 2013 to Won 5,010 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in the overall sales volume of our steel products, as discussed above, which was partially offset by a decrease in the average unit sales price per ton of our principal steel products as well as a decrease in the average price in Won terms of coal and other key raw materials that were used to manufacture our finished steel products sold. The gross margin of our Steel Segment, which is gross profit as a percentage of total revenue prior to consolidation adjustments, increased slightly from 9.9% in 2013 to 10.1% in 2014.

Trading Segment. The gross profit of our Trading Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, increased by 24.8%, or Won 274 billion, from Won 1,103 billion in 2013 to Won 1,376 billion in 2014, reflecting an increase in overall trading volumes as well as an increase in the gross profit from our sale of gas produced at the Myanmar gas field. The gross margin of our Trading Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, increased slightly from 4.3% in 2013 and 4.4% in 2014.

Construction Segment. The gross profit of our Construction Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased by 19.7%, or Won 184 billion, from Won 934 billion in 2013 to Won 750 billion in 2014, and the gross margin decreased from 8.7% in 2013 to 7.3% in 2014 primarily due to a decrease in POSCO E&C’s construction activities for POSCO as well as a decrease in its participation of construction projects with higher margins in 2014.

Others Segment. The gross profit of our Others Segment, prior to consolidation adjustments, decreased by 8.0%, or Won 61 billion, from Won 761 billion in 2013 to Won 700 billion in 2014 while its gross margin increased from 9.7% in 2013 to 9.9% in 2014, primarily due to the results of POSCO Energy Corporation described above.

 

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Selling and Administrative Expenses

The following table presents a breakdown of our selling and administrative expenses and changes therein for 2013 and 2014.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2013 versus 2014  
     2013      2014      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Freight and custody expenses

   1,433       1,552           119        8.3

Sales commissions

     74         66         (8     (10.2

Sales promotion

     27         26         (1     (5.0

Sales insurance premium

     27         40         13        46.3   

Contract cost

     37         50         13        33.7   

Others

     34         27         (7     (20.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total selling expenses

   1,632       1,760         128        7.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Wages and salaries

   755       781       27        3.5

Expenses related to post-employment benefits

     67         67         (1     (1.1

Other employee benefits

     166         174         8        5.1   

Depreciation and amortization

     228         273         45        19.6   

Rental

     110         137         27        24.7   

Repairs

     6         14         8        143.9   

Advertising

     106         104         (1     (1.1

Research and development

     193         175         (18     (9.1

Service fees

     240         216         (24     (10.0

Bad debt allowance

     90         109         19        20.9   

Others

     271         258         (12     (4.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total administrative expenses

       2,232           2,310         78        3.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total selling and administrative expenses

   3,864       4,070         206        5.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Our selling and administrative expenses increased by 5.3%, or Won 206 billion, from Won 3,864 billion in 2013 to Won 4,070 billion in 2014 primarily due to increases in freight and custody expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses, which were partially offset by a decrease in service fees and research and development expenses. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

Our freight and custody expense increased by 8.3%, or Won 119 billion, from Won 1,433 billion in 2013 to Won 1,552 billion in 2014 primarily due to increases in freight rates as well as an increase in our export volume.

 

   

Our depreciation and amortization expenses increased by 19.6%, or Won 45 billion, from Won 228 billion in 2013 to Won 273 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in amortization of intangible assets related to upgrading of our new information technology infrastructure in 2014.

 

   

Our service fees decreased by 10.0%, or Won 24 billion, from Won 240 billion in 2013 to Won 216 billion in 2014 primarily due to a decrease in professional advisory services provided to us resulting from our reduction in investment activities.

 

   

Our research and development expenses decreased by 9.1%, or Won 18 billion, from Won 193 billion in 2013 to Won 175 billion in 2014 primarily reflecting a decrease in our development activities for new products.

 

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Other Operating Income and Expenses

The following table presents a breakdown of our other operating income and expenses and changes therein for 2013 and 2014.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2013 versus 2014  
             2013                      2014                  Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Gains on disposals of assets held for sale

   102       48               (53     (52.5 )% 

Gains on disposals of investment in associates

     8         41         34        438.1   

Gains on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     14         15         1        6.1   

Reversal of other provision expenses

     3         20         17        576.1   

Outsourcing income

     25         14         (11     (44.2

Gain on disposals of waste

     17         11         (5     (31.3

Gain from claim compensation

     15         29         15        100.8   

Penalty income from early termination of contracts

     16         35         18        110.0   

Others

     30         56         26        87.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total other operating income

       229           269         40        17.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Our other operating income increased by 17.6%, or Won 40 billion, from Won 229 billion in 2013 to Won 269 billion in 2014 primarily due to increases in gains on disposals of investment in associates, penalty income from early termination of contracts and reversal of other provision expenses, which were offset in part by a decrease in gains on disposal of assets for sale. Our gains on disposals of investment in associates increased more than four-fold, or Won 34 billion, from Won 8 billion in 2013 to Won 41 billion in 2014 primarily due to gains related to POSCO Plantec Co., Ltd. that became our consolidated subsidiary in 2014. Our penalty income from early termination of contracts increased by 110.0%, or Won 18 billion, from Won 16 billion in 2013 to Won 35 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in delayed payments to subcontractors as a result of the prolonged downturn in the construction industry. Our reversal of other provision expenses increased more than five-fold, or Won 17 billion, from Won 3 billion in 2013 to Won 20 billion in 2014 primarily due to reversal of provisions of POSCO Daewoo of Won 8 billion in connection with guarantees provided for the acquisition of Shandong Cement and reversal of provisions of POSCO Engineering Co., Ltd. (“POSCO Engineering”) of Won 9 billion relating to settled litigation regarding deferred compensation. On the other hand, our gains on disposals of assets held for sale decreased by 52.5%, or Won 53 billion, from Won 102 billion in 2013 to Won 48 billion in 2014. In 2013, we recognized a gain of Won 102 billion on disposal of assets held for sale primarily from our disposition of SK Telecom shares and SeAH Steel shares. In 2014, we recognized a gain of Won 48 billion on disposal of assets held for sale primarily from our disposition of International Business Center Corporation shares.

 

                   Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2013 versus 2014  
         2013              2014              Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Other bad debt expenses

   111       96       (15     (13.2 )% 

Losses on disposals of assets held for sale

     26         0         (26     (99.9

Impairment losses on assets held for sale

     2         17         15        848.5   

Losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     121         50         (71     (58.7

Impairment losses on property, plant and equipment

     10         65         55        565.5   

Impairment losses on intangible assets

     125         55         (70     (55.9

Idle tangible assets expenses

     18         12         (5     (30.7

Impairment losses on other non-current assets

     9         38         29        323.7   

Other provision expenses

     66         127         61        92.1   

Donations

     61         70         9        14.1   

Loss on disposal of investment in associates

     19         3         (17     (86.8

Loss on disposal of wastes

     15         16         1        7.6   

Penalty and additional tax payments

     19         352         333        1,721.0   

Others

     48         78         31        64.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total other operating expenses

       651           980         329        50.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

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Our other operating expenses increased by 50.5%, or Won 329 billion, from Won 651 billion in 2013 to Won 980 billion in 2014, primarily due to an increase in penalty and additional tax payments and other provisions expenses, which were partially offset by decreases in our losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment and impairment losses on intangible assets. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

Our penalty and additional tax payments increased more than seventeen-fold, or Won 333 billion, from Won 19 billion in 2013 to Won 352 billion in 2014 primarily due to additional tax payments of Won 272 billion resulting from Korea National tax Service’s periodic audit completed in 2014, which mostly related to value added taxes.

 

   

Our other provision expenses increased by 92.1%, or Won 61 billion, from Won 66 billion in 2013 to Won 127 billion in 2014 primarily due to a provision of Won 89 billion in 2014 related to restoration costs of contaminated land near our magnesium plant in Gangneung, Korea.

 

   

Our losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment decreased by 58.7%, or Won 71 billion, from Won 121 billion in 2013 to Won 50 billion in 2014 primarily due to removal and dismantlement costs related to the restoration work of furnace no. 1 and no. 2 in Gwangyang in 2013 compared to no such loss in 2014.

 

   

Our impairment losses on intangible assets decreased by 55.9%, or Won 70 billion, from Won 125 billion in 2013 to Won 55 billion in 2014 primarily due to impairment loss of Won 97 billion related to the decrease in value of POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited in 2013 compared to no such impairment loss in 2014.

Operating Profit

Due to the factors described above, our operating profit decreased by 2.1%, or Won 53 billion, from Won 2,566 billion in 2013 to Won 2,513 billion in 2014. Our operating margin decreased from 4.2% in 2013 to 3.9% in 2014.

Share of Loss of Equity-Accounted Investees

Our share of loss of equity-accounted investees increased by 66.8%, or by Won 120 billion, from Won 180 billion in 2013 to Won 300 billion in 2014. In 2013, we recognized a net loss for our proportionate share of equity-accounted investees of Won 180 billion primarily due to our share of loss of POSCO Plantec Co., Ltd. (Won 49 billion), Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd. (Won 38 billion) and CSP-Compania Siderurgica do Pecem (Won 34 billion), which was partially offset by our share of profit of KOBRASCO (Won 22 billion), Korea LNG Ltd. (Won 22 billion) and CAML Resources Pty Ltd. (Won 18 billion). In 2014, we recognized a net loss for our proportionate share of equity-accounted investees of Won 300 billion primarily due to our share of loss of POSCO Plantec Co., Ltd. (Won 211 billion) and CSP-Compania Siderurgica do Pecem (Won 57 billion), which was partially offset by our share of profit of KOBRASCO (Won 30 billion) and South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd. (Won 26 billion). For a discussion of our share of profits or losses of equity-accounted investees, see Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Finance Income and Finance Costs

The following table presents a breakdown of our finance income and costs and changes therein for 2013 and 2014.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,        2013 versus 2014    
     2013      2014      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Interest income

   260       228       (32     (12.3 )% 

Dividend income

     59         48         (11     (19.2

Gain on foreign currency transactions

     998         1,022         25        2.5   

Gain on foreign currency translations

     511         453         (58     (11.3

Gain on derivatives transactions of

     370         328         (43     (11.5

Gain on valuations of derivatives

     72         73         1        1.4   

Gain on disposals of available-for-sale financial assets

     106         236         131        124.0   

Others

     4         7         3        72.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total finance income

       2,381           2,397         16        0.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Interest expenses

   658       796           138        21.0

Loss on foreign currency transactions

     927         1,034         106        11.5   

Loss on foreign currency translations

     345         429         84        24.4   

Loss on derivatives transactions

     287         353         67        23.3   

Loss on valuations of derivatives

     291         101         (190     (65.2

Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets

     280         370         89        31.9   

Loss on disposals of available-for-sale financial assets

     4         55         51        1370.3   

Loss on financial guarantee

     6         10         4        71.4   

Others

     31         75         43        137.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total finance costs

   2,829       3,222         393        13.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Our net gain on foreign currency translations decreased by 85.2%, or Won 141 billion, from Won 166 billion in 2013 to Won 25 billion in 2014, and we recognized a net gain on foreign currency transactions of Won 70 billion in 2013 compared to a net loss on foreign currency transactions of Won 11 billion in 2014, as the Won appreciated against the Dollar in 2013 while it depreciated against the Dollar in 2014 and the Won depreciated at a greater level against the Yen in 2013 compared to 2014. In terms of the market average exchange rates announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd., the Won appreciated from Won 1,071.1 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2012 to Won 1,055.3 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2013 but depreciated to Won 1,099.2 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2014. The Won appreciated against the Yen from Won 1,247.5 per Yen 100 as of December 31, 2012 to Won 1,004.7 per Yen 100 as of December 31, 2013 and appreciated further to Won 920.1 per Yen 100 as of December 31, 2014. Against such fluctuations, we recognized a decrease of 87.2% in net loss on valuations of derivatives, or Won 191 billion, from Won 219 billion in 2013 to Won 28 billion in 2014, as well as a net gain on derivatives transactions of Won 84 billion in 2013 compared to a net loss on derivatives transactions of Won 28 billion in 2014.

Our interest expenses increased by 21.0%, or Won 138 billion, from Won 658 billion in 2013 to Won 796 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in the average balance of our interest-bearing payables and financial liabilities, which was partially offset by a general decrease in interest rates in Korea.

Our impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets increased by 31.9%, or Won 89 billion, from Won 280 billion in 2013 to Won 370 billion in 2014 primarily due to a prolonged decline in the fair value of shares of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and unmarketable securities of Dongbu Metal Co., Ltd.

 

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Our gain on disposal of available-for-sale financial assets increased by 124.0%, or Won 131 billion, from Won 106 billion in 2013 to Won 236 billion in 2014, as we recognized a Won 199 billion gain in 2014 from our disposal of interest in SK Telecom Co., Ltd.

Income Tax Expense

Our income tax expense increased by 39.9%, or Won 235 billion, from Won 589 billion in 2013 to Won 824 billion in 2014. Our effective tax rate increased from 30.4% in 2013 to 59.4% in 2014 primarily due to an increase in tax related to investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures from Won 251 billion in 2013 to Won 372 billion in 2014 (that resulted in an increase in effective tax rate of 13.8%), a decrease in tax credits from Won 169 billion in 2013 to Won 50 billion in 2014 due to a decrease in job creation tax credit (that resulted in an increase in effective tax rate of 5.2%), an increase in tax effects due to permanent differences from Won 8 billion in 2013 to Won 70 billion in 2014 (that resulted in an increase in effective tax rate of 4.6%), as well as adjustments on prior year tax of Won 56 billion resulting from the tax audit completed in 2014 (that resulted in an increase in effective tax rate of 4.1%). See Note 35 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Profit

Due to the factors described above, our profit decreased by 58.2%, or Won 785 billion, from Won 1,349 billion in 2013 to Won 564 billion in 2014. Our net profit margin decreased from 2.2% in 2013 to 0.9% in 2014.

The following table presents our profit by segment, prior to adjusting for inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, and changes therein for 2013 and 2014.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2013 versus 2014  
     2013     2014     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

       1,449      857          (592     (40.9 )% 

Trading Segment

     10        181        172        1,804.6   

Construction Segment

     147        13        (134     (91.2

Others Segment

     197        9        (189     (95.7

Consolidation adjustments

     (448     (503     (55     12.3   

Basis difference (1)

     (6     7        13        N.A. (2)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Profit for the period

   1,349      564        (785     (58.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1) Basis difference is related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 41 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2) N.A. means not applicable.

Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table sets forth the summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2014     2015  
     (In billions of Won)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

       4,858          3,412          7,602   

Net cash used in investing activities

     (8,752     (3,745     (4,535

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     3,532        135        (2,242

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held

     (111     12        23   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     4,681        4,209        4,022   

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

     4,209        4,022        4,871   

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (472     (186     849   

 

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Capital Requirements

Historically, uses of cash consisted principally of purchases of property, plant and equipment and other assets and repayments of outstanding debt and payments of dividends.

Net cash used in investing activities was Won 8,752 billion in 2013, Won 3,745 billion in 2014 and Won 4,535 billion in 2015. These amounts included acquisition of property, plant and equipment of Won 6,570 billion in 2013, Won 3,506 billion in 2014 and Won 2,560 billion in 2015. We plan to spend between Won 2 trillion to Won 3 trillion in capital expenditures in 2016, which we may adjust on an on-going basis subject to market demand for our products, the production outlook of the global steel industry and global economic conditions in general. We may delay or not implement some of our current capital expenditure plans based on our assessment of such market conditions. We had net acquisitions of short-term financial instruments of Won 548 billion in 2013, net disposals of short-term financial instruments of Won 1,539 billion in 2014 and net acquisitions of short-term financial instruments of Won 2,443 billion in 2015. We also had net acquisitions of available-for-sale investments of Won 40 billion in 2013 and net disposals of available-for-sale investments of Won 176 billion in 2014 and Won 220 billion in 2015.

In our financing activities, we used cash of Won 2,846 billion in 2013, Won 2,802 billion in 2014 and Won 3,510 billion in 2015 for repayments of borrowings. We paid dividends on common stock in the amount of Won 649 billion in 2013, Won 677 billion in 2014 and Won 823 billion in 2015.

In recent years, we have also selectively considered various opportunities to acquire or invest in companies that may complement our businesses, as well as invest in overseas resources development projects. We may require additional capital for such acquisitions or entering into other strategic relationships. Other than capital required for such activities, we anticipate that capital expenditures, repayments of outstanding debt and payments of cash dividends will represent the most significant uses of funds for the next several years.

Payments of contractual obligations and commitments will also require considerable resources. In our ordinary course of business, we routinely enter into commercial commitments for various aspects of our operations, as well as issue guarantees for indebtedness of our related parties and others. Contingent liabilities on outstanding guarantees provided by us were Won 9,555 billion as of December 31, 2015. The following table sets forth the amount of long-term debt, capital lease and operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2015.

 

     Payments Due by Period  
     Total      Less than
1 Year
     1 to 3 Years      4 to 5 Years      More than
5 Years
 
     (In billions of Won)  

Long-term debt obligations (a)

       17,048           3,885           4,838           3,334           4,991   

Interest payments on long-term debt (b)

     2,495         477         1,067         561         390   

Capital lease obligations

     55         20         16         16         3   

Operating lease obligations

     49         17         16         15         1   

Purchase obligations (c)

     16,415         5,826         5,060         3,454         2,075   

Accrued severance benefits (d)

     2,303         46         232         250         1,775   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

       38,365           10,271           11,229           7,630           9,235   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes the current portion and premium on bond redemption but excludes amortization of discount on debentures and issuance costs.

 

(b) As of December 31, 2015, a portion of our long-term debt carried variable interest rates. We used the interest rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 in calculating the interest payments on long-term debt for the periods indicated.

 

(c)

Our purchase obligations include supply contracts to purchase iron ore, coal, nickel, LNG and other raw materials. These contracts generally have terms of one to ten years and the long-term contracts provide for periodic price adjustments according to the market prices. As of December 31, 2015, 166 million tons of iron ore and 26 million tons of coal remained to be purchased under long-term contracts. In addition, we entered into an agreement with Tangguh LNG Consortium in Indonesia to purchase 550 thousand tons of LNG for 20 years commencing in August 2005. The purchase price under the

 

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  agreement with Tangguh LNG Consortium is variable based on the monthly standard oil price (as represented by the Japan Customs cleared Crude Price), subject to a ceiling. We used the market price and exchange rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 in calculating the iron ore, coal and LNG purchase obligations described above for the periods indicated.

 

(d) Represents, as of December 31, 2015, the expected amount of severance benefits that we will be required to pay under applicable Korean law to all of our employees when they reach their normal retirement age. The amounts were determined based on the employees’ current salary rates and the number of service years that will be accumulated upon their retirement. These amounts do not include amounts that may be paid to employees who cease to work at the company before their normal retirement age.

Capital Resources

We have traditionally met our working capital and other capital requirements principally from cash provided by operations, while raising the remainder of our requirements primarily through long-term debt and short-term borrowings. We expect that these sources will continue to be our principal sources of cash in the future. From time to time, we may also generate cash through issuance of hybrid bonds and sale of treasury shares and our holdings in available-for-sale securities.

Our net cash provided by operating activities decreased by 29.8%, or Won 1,446 billion, from Won 4,858 billion in 2013 to Won 3,412 billion in 2014. Our gross cash flow from our sales activities increased as discussed above. However, our cash outflows increased due to the buildup of semi-finished and finished goods resulting from continuing uncertainties in the global economy affecting China and other major emerging market economies.

Our net cash provided by operating activities increased by 122.8%, or Won 4,190 billion, from Won 3,412 billion in 2014 to Won 7,602 billion in 2015. Our gross cash flow from our sales activities decreased as discussed above. However, we managed our inventory level in 2015 in response to the continuing uncertainties in the global economy and overcapacity in the global steel industry. The inventory turnover was faster in 2015 compared to 2014 as we maintained a lower level of inventory level. Our outstanding trade accounts and notes receivable also decreased in 2015, as we shortened payment terms for some of our key customers, which in turn positively impacted our net cash provided by operating activities.

Net proceeds from borrowings, after deducting for repayment of borrowings, were Won 2,253 billion in 2013. We had net repayments of borrowings of Won 280 billion in 2014 and Won 1,731 billion in 2015. Net proceeds from short-term borrowings, after deducting for repayments of short-term borrowings, were Won 87 billion in 2013 and Won 1,038 billion in 2014. We had net repayment of short-term borrowings, after deducting for repayment of short-term borrowings, of Won 846 billion in 2015. We also raised Won 1,495 billion from our issuances of hybrid bonds in 2013, which are accounted for as part of our equity. Long-term borrowings, excluding current portion, were Won 15,533 billion as of December 31, 2013, Won 15,233 billion as of December 31, 2014 and Won 12,849 billion as of December 31, 2015. Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term borrowings were Won 10,714 billion as of December 31, 2013, Won 12,195 billion as of December 31, 2014 and Won 12,371 billion as of December 31, 2015. Outstanding hybrid bonds were Won 997 billion as of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Our net borrowings-to-equity ratio, which is calculated by deducting cash and cash equivalents from total borrowings and dividing the net amount with our total equity, was 52.18% as of December 31, 2014 and 45.21% as of December 31, 2015.

We periodically increase our short-term borrowings and adjust our long-term debt financing levels depending on changes in our capital requirements. We also generated cash of Won 14 billion in 2013 and Won 43 billion in 2014 from the sale of our treasury shares. We believe that we have sufficient working capital for our current requirements and that we have a variety of alternatives available to us to satisfy our liquidity requirements to the extent that they are not met by funds generated by operations, including the issuance of debt and equity securities and bank borrowings denominated in Won and various foreign currencies. However, our ability to rely on some of these

 

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alternatives could be affected by factors such as the liquidity of the Korean and the global financial markets, prevailing interest rates, our credit rating and the Government’s policies regarding Won currency and foreign currency borrowings.

Liquidity

We had working capital (current assets minus current liabilities) of Won 11,681 billion as of December 31, 2013, Won 10,833 billion as of December 31, 2014 and Won 9,148 billion as of December 31, 2015. Our holdings of cash and cash equivalents (which do not include cash and cash equivalents categorized under “assets for sale”) were Won 4,209 billion as of December 31, 2013, Won 3,811 billion as of December 31, 2014 and Won 4,870 billion as of December 31, 2015. See Notes 5 and 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Our holding of other receivables and other short-term financial assets were Won 4,861 billion as of December 31, 2013, Won 3,419 billion as of December 31, 2014 and Won 5,590 billion as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, approximately 25% of our cash and cash equivalents, other receivables and other short-term financial assets were held outside of Korea, which we expect to use in our operations abroad, including capital expenditure activities. In the event that such assets are needed for our operations in Korea, such amounts are typically not restricted under local laws from being used in Korea. In addition, we believe that there are no material tax implications in the event our foreign subsidiaries elect to grant cash dividends to us. POSCO had total available credit lines of Won 2,215 billion as of December 31, 2015, none of which was used as of such date. We have not had, and do not believe that we will have, difficulty gaining access to short-term financing sufficient to meet our current requirements.

Our liquidity is affected by exchange rate fluctuations. See “— Overview — Exchange Rate Fluctuations.”

Capital Expenditures and Capacity Expansion

Cash used for acquisitions of property, plant and equipment was Won 6,570 billion in 2013, Won 3,506 billion in 2014 and Won 2,560 billion in 2015. We plan to spend between Won 2 trillion to Won 3 trillion in capital expenditures in 2016, which we may adjust on an on-going basis subject to market demand for our products, the production outlook of the global steel industry and global economic conditions in general. We may delay or not implement some of our current capital expenditure plans based on our assessment of such market conditions.

Our current plan for capital investment in production facilities emphasizes capacity rationalization, increased production of higher value-added products and improvements in the efficiency of older facilities in order to reduce operating costs. The following table sets out the major items of our capital expenditures as of December 31, 2015:

 

Project

   Expected
Completion Date 
     Total Cost
of Project
     Estimated
Remaining Cost of
Completion as of
December 31,
2015
 
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment:

        

Miscellaneous capital expenditures, including rationalization and upgrading of raw materials treatment and transportation facilities

     December 2018         2,199         1,001   

Rationalization of furnace no. 3 at Pohang Works

     December 2017         532         475   

Rationalization of furnace no. 5 at Gwangyang Works

     December 2016         509         289   

Rationalization of furnace no. 2 at Pohang Works

     April 2016         394         6   

Construction of no. 7 CGL at Gwangyang Works

     June 2017         255         203   

 

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Item 5.C.  Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.

We maintain a research and development program to carry out basic research and applied technology development activities. As of December 31, 2015, POSCO Technical Research Laboratories employed 1,041 personnel, including 532 researchers. Our technology development department also works closely with the Pohang University of Science & Technology, Korea’s first research-oriented college founded by us in 1986, and the Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Korea’s first private comprehensive research institute founded by us in 1987. We also established POSCO Research Institute (POSRI) in 1994, which engages in research activities and consulting services.

We recorded research and development expenses of Won 370 billion as cost of sales in 2013, Won 353 billion in 2014 and Won 356 billion in 2015, as well as research and development expenses of Won 193 billion as selling and administrative expenses in 2013, Won 175 billion in 2014 and Won 136 billion in 2015.

Our research and development program has filed over 39,000 industrial rights applications relating to steel-making technology, approximately one-third of which were registered as of December 31, 2015, and has successfully applied many of these to the improvement of our manufacturing process.

Item 5.D.  Trend Information

These matters are discussed under Item 5.A. and Item 5.B. above where relevant.

Item 5.E.  Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Item 5.F.  Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

These matters are discussed under Item 5.B. above where relevant.

Item 5.G.  Safe Harbor

See “Item 3. Key Information — Item 3.D. Risk Factors — This annual report contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

Item 6.  Directors, Senior Management and Employees

Item 6.A.  Directors and Senior Management

Board of Directors

Our board of directors has the ultimate responsibility for the management of our business affairs. Our board consists of five directors who are our executive officers (“Inside Directors”) and seven directors who are outside directors (“Outside Directors”). Our shareholders elect both the Inside Directors and Outside Directors at a general meeting of shareholders. Candidates for Inside Directors are recommended to shareholders by the board of directors after the board reviews such candidates’ qualifications, and candidates for Outside Directors are recommended to the shareholders by a separate board committee consisting of three Outside Directors and one Inside Director (“Director Candidate Recommendation Committee”) after the committee reviews such candidates’ qualifications. Any shareholder holding our outstanding shares with voting rights may suggest candidates for Outside Directors to the Director Candidate Recommendation Committee.

 

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Our board of directors maintains the following six sub-committees:

 

   

the Director Candidate Recommendation Committee;

 

   

the Evaluation and Compensation Committee;

 

   

the Finance and Operation Committee;

 

   

the Executive Management Committee;

 

   

the Audit Committee; and

 

   

the Related Party Transactions Committee.

Our board committees are described in greater detail below under “— Item 6.C. Board Practices.”

Under the Commercial Code and our articles of incorporation, one Chairman should be elected among the Outside Directors and several Representative Directors may be elected among the Inside Directors by our board of directors’ resolution.

Inside Directors

Our current Inside Directors are:

 

Name

   Position    Responsibilities and
Division
     Years
as
Director
     Years
with
POSCO
     Age      Expiration
of Term of
Office

Kwon, Oh-Joon

   Chief Executive Officer
and Representative
Director
     —                             2         27         65       March
2017

Kim, Jin-Il

   President and
Representative Director
    
 
Head of Steel Production
Division
  
  
     4         39         63       March
2017

Lee, Young-Hoon

   Senior Executive Vice
President
     —                             2         29         56       March
2017

Oh, In-Hwan

   Senior Executive Vice
President
    
 
Head of Steel Business
Division
  
  
     1         33         57       March
2017

Choi, Jeong-Woo

   Senior Executive Vice
President
    
 
Head of Corporate Strategy
& Finance Center
  
  
     0         30         59       March
2017

All Inside Directors are engaged in our business on a full-time basis.

Outside Directors

Our current Outside Directors are set out in the table below. Each of our Outside Directors meets the applicable independence standards set forth under the rules of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets of Korea (the “FSCMA”).

 

Name

   Position    Principal Occupation    Years
as
Director
     Age      Expiration
of Term of
Office
 

Lee, Myoung-Woo

   Chairman    President, Dongwon Industries      3         62         March 2019   

Shin, Chae-Chol

   Director    Former Chairman and CEO, IBM
Korea Inc.
     3         68         March 2018   

Kim, Il-Sup

   Director    President, Seoul School of Integrated
Sciences & Technologies
     2         69         March 2017   

Sunwoo, Young

   Director    Representative Lawyer, Rhi & Partners      2         60         March 2017   

Ahn, Dong-Hyun

   Director    Professor, Seoul National University      2         52         March 2017   

Bahk, Byong-Won

   Director    Chairman, Korea Employers
Federation
     1         63         March 2018   

Kim, Joo-Hyun

   Director    Advisory, Hyundai Research Institute      1         63         March 2018   

 

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The term of office of the Directors elected in March 2016 is up to three (3) years. Each Director’s term expires at the close of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders convened in respect of the fiscal year that is the last one to end during such Director’s tenure.

Senior Management

In addition to the Inside Directors who are also our executive officers, we have the following executive officers:

 

Name

  

Position

  

Responsibility and Division

   Years
with
POSCO
     Age  

Hwang, Eun-Yeon

   President    Head of Management Support Division      28         57   

An, Tong-Il

   Senior Executive Vice President    General Superintendent, Gwangyang Works      29         56   

Kim, Hag-Dong

   Senior Executive Vice President    General Superintendent, Pohang Works      29         56   

Chang, In-Hwa

   Senior Executive Vice President    Head of Technology and Investment Division, Head of Technical Research Laboratories      5         60   

Lee, Woo-Kyu

   Executive Vice President    Head of Corporate Audit Dept.      26         58   

Yim, Chang-Hee

   Executive Vice President         30         59   

Yu, Seong

   Executive Vice President    Head of Energy Storage Materials Business Dept.      30         59   

Min, Kyung-Zoon

   Executive Vice President    President, PT Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd.      32         57   

Jeong, Tak

   Executive Vice President    Head of Energy and Shipbuilding Materials Marketing Dept.      4         56   

Yang, Heung-Yul

   Executive Vice President    Head of Labor and Outside Services Dept.      26         55   

Chung, Chang-Hwa

   Executive Vice President    Head of Public Relations Dept.      20         54   

Son, Chang Hwan

   Executive Vice President    Head of Steel Business Strategy Dept.      31         55   

Chon, Jung-Son

   Executive Vice President    Head of Corporate Strategy Dept.      29         53   

Kim, Hak-Yong

   Executive Vice President    Head of Plant, Equipment and Materials Procurement Dept.      27         54   

Kim, Jun-Hyung

   Executive Vice President    Head of New Business Dept.      30         53   

Lee, Duk-Lak

   Executive Vice President    Head of Steel Solution Marketing Dept.      30         55   

Kwak Jeong-Shik

   Executive Vice President    Head of External Relation Dept.      28         58   

Choi, Jong-Jin

   Senior Vice President    Deputy General Superintendent (Administration, Pohang Works)      26         52   

Jeong, Ki-Seop

   Senior Vice President    Head of Domestic Business Management Dept.      1         54   

Yi, Kyung-Jo

   Senior Vice President    Head of Steel Planning Dept.      30         55   

Kim, Byung-Hwi

   Senior Vice President    Head of Human Resources Management Dept.      25         52   

Cho, Il-Hyun

   Senior Vice President    Deputy General Superintendent (Safety and Maintenance, Pohang Works)      29         54   

Park, Young-Kwan

   Senior Vice President    Deputy General Superintendent (Iron and Steel Making, Gwangyang Works)      30         57   

Nam,Soo-hi

   Senior Vice President    Deputy General Superintendent (Iron and Steel Making, Pohang Works)      28         56   

Lee, Won-Hwi

   Senior Vice President    Head of Automotive Materials Marketing Dept.      26         52   

Noh, Min-Yong

   Senior Vice President    Head of Finance Dept.      26         52   

Kim, Dong-Ho

   Senior Vice President    President, CSP-Compania Siderurgica do Pecem      31         56   

Yun, Han-Kuen

   Senior Vice President    Deputy General Superintendent (Hot and Cold Rolling, Pohang Works)      33         57   

 

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Name

  

Position

  

Responsibility and Division

   Years
with
POSCO
     Age  

Choi, Joo

   Senior Vice President    General Manager of Gwangyang Research Lab      32         57   

Kwon, Woo-Taeck

   Senior Vice President    Head of Investment Planning & Engineering Dept.      30         56   

Yoo, Byeong-Og

   Senior Vice President    Head of Raw Materials Dept.      27         53   

Yang, Weon-Jun

   Senior Vice President    Head of Human Resources and Innovation Dept.      27         50   

Lee, Eun-Seok

   Senior Vice President    Deputy General Superintendent (Stainless Steel Production, Pohang Works)      30         55   

Kim, Soon-Ki

   Senior Vice President    Deputy General Superintendent (Administration, Gwangyang Works)      25         51   

Park, Mi-Hwa

   Senior Vice President    Head of Information Planning Dept.      1         49   

Lee, Si-Woo

   Senior Vice President    Deputy General Superintendent (Hot and Cold Rolling, Gwangyang Works)      30         55   

Kwon, Jong-Won

   Senior Vice President    General Manager of Europe Office      21         54   

Kim, Kwang-Soo

   Senior Vice President    Head of Stainless Steel Marketing Dept.      31         56   

Kim, Gwang-Soo

   Senior Vice President    Head of Global Marketing Coordination Dept.      29         54   

Min, Jung-Ki

   Senior Vice President    Head of Production Division, PT Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd.      29         56   

Ha, Dae-Ryong

   Senior Vice President    Head of Electrical and Electronic Materials Marketing Dept.      27         52   

Park, Hyeon

   Senior Vice President    Head of Environment, Energy and Social Responsibility Dept.      15         49   

Lim Seung-Kyu

   Senior Vice President    Head of Overseas Business Management Dept.      27         52   

Choo, Se-Don

   Senior Vice President    General Manager of Pohang Research Lab      22         54   

Lee, Sang-Hyeon

   Senior Vice President    Center Manager of Engineering Solution Dept.      12         55   

Kim, Bok-Tae

   Senior Vice President    Head of Safety and Production Strategy Dept.      28         54   

Chun, Sung-Lae

   Senior Vice President    Head of Hot Rolled and Construction Steel Materials Marketing Dept.      27         52   

Kim Min-Chul

   Senior Vice President    Deputy General Superintendent (Safety and Maintenance, Gwangyang Works)      30         53   

Kim, Jeong-Su

   Senior Vice President    Head of Wire Rod Marketing Dept.      20         52   

Lee, Hoo-Geun

   Executive Vice President    Technology and Investment Division      33         58   

Kim, Jeong-Sik

   Executive Vice President    Steel Production Division      33         59   

Lee, Jong-Sub

   Executive Vice President    Steel Business Division      32         59   

Cho,Won-Kyu

   Executive Vice President    Management Support Division      0         59   

Shin, Geon

   Senior Vice President    Steel Business Division      34         58   

Park, Yong-Kyu.

   Senior Vice President    Steel Production Division      31         56   

Lee, Young-Woo

   Senior Vice President    Steel Business Division      27         55   

Lee, Chang-Sun

   Senior Vice President    Technical Research Laboratories      28         58   

Kim, Gyo-Sung

   Senior Vice President    Steel Business Division      31         54   

Yi, Sang-Ho

   Senior Vice President    Steel Production Division      31         55   

Kang, Seog-Beom

   Senior Vice President    Steel Business Division      30         55   

Hong, Moon-Hi

   Senior Vice President    Steel Production Division      29         50   

Han Chan-Hee

   Senior Vice President    Technical Research Laboratories      30         57   

Won, Hyung-Il

   Senior Vice President    Legal Affairs Dept.      4         47   

Kim, Sun-Koo

   Senior Vice President    Technical Research Laboratories      25         56   

 

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Name

  

Position

  

Responsibility and Division

   Years
with
POSCO
     Age  

Chon, Uong

   Senior Vice President    Technology and Investment Division      1         52   

Lee, Ki-Ho

   Senior Vice President    Steel Production Division      32         56   

Kim, Jong-Sang

   Senior Vice President    Technical Research Laboratories      21         55   

Chun, Myung-Sik

   Senior Vice President    Technical Research Laboratories      12         56   

Item 6.B.  Compensation

Compensation of Directors and Officers

Salaries and bonuses for Inside Directors and salaries for Outside Directors are paid in accordance with standards decided by the board of directors within the limitation of directors remuneration approved by the annual general meeting of shareholders. In addition, executive officers’ compensation is paid in accordance with standards decided by the board of directors. In 2015, the aggregate compensation paid and accrued to all Directors and executive officers was approximately Won 39.7 billion and the aggregate amount set aside or accrued by us to provide pension and retirement benefits to such persons was Won 10.2 billion.

The compensation of our directors and executive officers who received total annual compensation exceeding Won 500 million in 2015 were as follows:

 

Name

   Position    Total Compensation
in 2015
    

Long-term Incentive Compensation for
Payment Subsequent to  2015

          (In millions of Won)

Kwon, Oh-Joon

   Chief Executive Officer and
Representative Director
   1,207      

Kim, Jin-Il

   President and
Representative Director
   808      

Lee, Young-Hoon

   Senior Executive Vice
President
   657      

Oh, In-Hwan

   Senior Executive Vice
President
   577      

We have also granted stock options to some of our Directors and executive officers. See “— Item 6.E. Share Ownership” for a list of stock options granted to our Directors and executive officers. At the annual shareholders’ meeting held in February 2006 our shareholders elected to terminate the stock option program. Stock options granted prior to this meeting remain valid and outstanding pursuant to the articles of incorporation in effect at the time of the issuance of the stock option.

Item 6.C.  Board Practices

Director Candidate Recommendation Committee

The Director Candidate Recommendation Committee is composed of three Outside Directors, Shin, Chae-Chol (committee chair), Lee, Myoung-Woo, Kim, Joo-Hyun and one Inside Director, Choi, Jeong-Woo. The Director Candidate Recommendation Committee reviews the qualifications of potential candidates and proposes nominees to serve on our board of directors as an Outside Director. Any shareholder holding our outstanding shares with voting rights may suggest candidates for Outside Directors to the Director Candidate Recommendation Committee.

 

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Evaluation and Compensation Committee

The Evaluation and Compensation Committee is composed of four Outside Directors, Sunwoo, Young (committee chair), Kim, Il-Sup, Ahn, Dong-Hyun and Bahk, Byong-Won. The Evaluation and Compensation Committee’s primary responsibilities include establishing evaluation procedures and compensation plans for executive officers and taking necessary measures to execute such plans.

Finance and Operation Committee

The Finance and Operation Committee is composed of three Outside Directors, Ahn, Dong-Hyun (committee chair), Shin, Chae-Chol, Bahk, Byong-Won and two Inside Directors, Kim, Jin-Il and Oh, In-Hwan. This committee is an operational committee that oversees decisions with respect to finance and operational matters, including making assessments with respect to potential capital investments and evaluating prospective capital-raising activities.

Executive Management Committee

The Executive Management Committee is composed of five Inside Directors, Kwon, Oh-Joon (committee chair), Kim, Jin-Il, Lee, Young-Hoon, Oh, In-Hwan and Choi, Jeong-Woo. This committee oversees decisions with respect to our operational and management matters, including review of management’s proposals of new strategic initiatives, as well as deliberation over critical internal matters related to organization structure and development of personnel.

Audit Committee

Under Korean law and our articles of incorporation, we are required to have an Audit Committee. The Audit Committee may be composed of three or more directors; all members of the Audit Committee must be Outside Directors. Audit Committee members must also meet the applicable independence criteria set forth under the rules and regulations of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Members of the Audit Committee are elected by the shareholders at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders. We currently have an Audit Committee composed of three Outside Directors. Members of our Audit Committee are Kim, Il-Sup (committee chair), Kim, Joo-Hyun and Sunwoo, Young.

The duties of the Audit Committee include:

 

   

engaging independent auditors;

 

   

approving independent audit fees;

 

   

approving audit and non-audit services;

 

   

reviewing annual financial statements;

 

   

reviewing audit results and reports, including management comments and recommendations;

 

   

reviewing our system of controls and policies, including those covering conflicts of interest and business ethics; and

 

   

examining improprieties or suspected improprieties.

In addition, in connection with general meetings of stockholders, the committee examines the agenda for, and financial statements and other reports to be submitted by, the board of directors at each general meeting of stockholders. Our internal and external auditors report directly to the Audit Committee. The committee holds regular meetings at least once each quarter, and more frequently as needed.

 

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Related Party Transactions Committee

The Related Party Transaction Committee is composed of three Outside Directors, Kim, Il-Sup (committee chair), Kim, Joo-Hyun and Sunwoo, Young. This committee reviews related party and other internal transactions and ensures compliance with the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act.

Item 6.D.  Employees

As of December 31, 2015, we had 34,327 employees, including 17,282 persons employed by our subsidiaries, almost all of whom were employed within Korea. Of the total number of employees, approximately 80% are technicians and skilled laborers and 20% are administrative staff. We use subcontractors for maintenance, cleaning and transport activities. We had 37,225 employees, including 19,538 persons employed by our subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2014, and 37,809 employees, including 19,906 persons employed by our subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2013. To improve operational efficiency and increase labor productivity, we plan to reduce the number of our employees in future years through natural attrition. However, we expect the number of persons employed by our subsidiaries in growth industries to increase in the future.

We consider our relations with our work force to be good. We have never experienced a work stoppage or strike. Wages of our employees are among the highest of manufacturing companies in Korea. In addition to a base monthly wage, employees receive periodic bonuses and allowances. Base wages are determined annually following consultation between the management and employee representatives, who are currently elected outside the framework of the POSCO labor union. A labor union was formed by our employees in June 1988. Union membership peaked at 19,026 employees at the beginning of 1991, but has steadily declined since then. As of December 31, 2015, only 10 of our employees were members of the POSCO labor union.

In accordance with the National Pension Act of Korea, we contribute an amount equal to 4.5% of an employee’s standard monthly wages, and each employee contributes 4.5% of his or her standard monthly wages, into his or her personal pension account. Our employees, including executive officers as well as non-executive employees, are subject to a pension insurance system, under which we make monthly contributions to the pension accounts of the employees, and upon retirement, such employees are paid from their pension accounts. Prior to 2011, our executive and non-executive employees were subject to a lump-sum severance payment system, under which they were entitled to receive a lump-sum severance payment upon termination of their employment, based on their length of service and salary level at the time of termination. Starting in 2011, in accordance with the Korean Employee Retirement Income Security Act, we replaced such lump-sum severance payment system with our current pension insurance system in the form of either a defined benefit plan or a defined contribution plan. Our employees have the option of choosing either the defined benefit plan or the defined contribution plan. See Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Lump-sum severance amounts previously accrued prior to our adoption of the current pension insurance system continue to remain payable. We also provide a wide range of fringe benefits to our employees, including housing, housing loans, company-provided hospitals and schools, a company-sponsored pension program, an employee welfare fund, industrial disaster insurance, and cultural and athletic facilities.

As of December 31, 2015, our employees owned, through our employee stock ownership association, approximately 0.001% of our common stock in their association accounts and 1.76% of our common stock in their employee accounts.

 

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Item 6.E.  Share Ownership

Common Stock

The persons who are currently our Directors or executive officers held, as a group, 19,672 common shares as of March 30, 2016, the most recent practicable date for which this information is available. The table below shows the ownership of our common shares by our Directors and executive officers.

 

Kwon, Oh-Joon

     1,692   

Lee, Hoo-Geun

     701   

Park, Yong-Gyu

     662   

Kim, Hak-Yong

     577   

Noh, Min-Yong

     572   

Lee, Ki-Ho

     541   

Yim, Chang-Hee

     533   

Kim, Jeong-Sik

     520   

Min, Kyung-Zoon

     494   

Kwon, Woo-Taeck

     469   

Kim, Hag-Dong

     411   

Lee, Chang-Sun

     392   

Kim, Sun-Koo

     384   

Kim, Kwang Soo

     370   

Lee, Woo Kyu

     360   

Kim, Jin-Il

     359   

Han, Chan-Hee

     356   

Yi, Sang-Ho

     352   

Shin, Chae-Chol

     350   

Kim, Dong-Ho

     347   

Lee, Eun-Seok

     347   

Yu, Seong

     337   

Kim, Soon-Ki

     326   

Kim, Min-Chul

     314   

An, Tong-Il

     296   

Yang, Weon-Jun

     293   

Park, Young-Kwan

     292   

Yoo, Byeong-Og

     291   

Choi, Joo

     290   

Kang, Seog-Beom

     290   

Cho, Il-Hyun

     281   

Lee, Young-Woo

     274   

Lee, Jong-Seob

     261   

Chun, Myung-Sik

     242   

Kwak, Jeong-Shik

     241   

Kim, Gyo-Sung

     230   

Lee, Young-Hoon

     223   

Chon, Jung-Son

     220   

Park, Hyeon

     219   

Nam, Soo-Hi

     216   

Hwang, Eun-Yeon

     204   

Kim, Il-Sup

     200   

Oh, In-Hwan

     199   

Choi, Jeong-Woo

     198   

Yi, Kyung-Jo

     192   

Yang, Heung-Yul

     173   

Son, Chang-Hwan

     173   

Shin, Geon

     170   

Kim, Jun-Hyung

     165   

Lim, Seung-Kyu

     164   

Choi, Jong-Jin

     163   

Chang, In-Hwa

     160   

Chung, Chang-Hwa

     158   

Kim, Byung Hwi

     151   

 

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Choo, Se-Don

     142   

Chun, Sung-Lae

     127   

Kim, Jong Sang

     118   

Hong, Moon-Hi

     115   

Jeong, Tak

     109   

Lee, Won-Hwi

     99   

Min, Jung Ki

     99   

Yun, Han-Kuen

     62   

Kim, Gwang-Soo

     53   

Lee, Sang-Hyeon

     47   

Lee, Duk-Lak

     44   

Kwon, Jong-Won

     41   

Ha, Dae-Ryong

     40   

Lee, Si-Woo

     39   

Kim, Boktae

     34   

Kim, Jeong-Su

     31   

Park, Mi Hwa

     26   

Won, Hyung Il

     26   

Chon, Uong

     17   

Cho, Won Kyu

     8   

Jeong, Ki Seop

       

Lee, Myoung-Woo

       

Sun, Woo-Young

       

Ahn, Dong-Hyun

       

Bahk, Byong-Won

       

Kim, Joo-Hyun

       
  

 

 

 

Total

     19,672   
  

 

 

 

Stock Options

With respect to the options granted, we may elect either to issue shares of common stock, distribute treasury stock or to pay in cash the difference between the exercise and the market price at the date of exercise. The options may be exercised by a person who has continued employment with POSCO for two or more years from the date on which the options are granted. Expiration date of options is seven years from the date on which the options are granted. All of the stock options below relate to our common stock.

At the annual shareholders’ meeting held in February 2006, our shareholders elected to terminate the stock option program. Stock options granted prior to this meeting remain valid and outstanding pursuant to the articles of incorporation in effect at the time of the issuance of the stock option. Currently, there are no outstanding exercisable stock options. The following table sets forth information regarding the stock options we have granted to our current Directors and executive officers.

 

    Grant Date     Exercise Period     Exercise
Price
    Granted
Options
    Exercised
Options
    Exercisable
Options
 

Director

    From     To          

Kwon, Oh-Joon

    April 26, 2003        4/27/2005        4/26/2010        102,900        9,604        9,604        0   

Kim, Jin-II

    April 25, 2003        4/27/2005        4/26/2010        102,900        9,604        9,604        0   

 

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Item 7.  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

Item 7.A.  Major Shareholders

The following table sets forth certain information relating to the shareholders of our common stock issued as of December 31, 2015.

 

Shareholders

   Number of
Shares
Owned
     Percentage  

National Pension Service

     7,885,065         9.04

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (1)

     4,394,712         5.04   

Pohang University of Science and Technology

     1,905,000         2.18   

Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte. Ltd

     1,862,625         2.14   

KB Financial Group Inc. and subsidiaries

     1,828,207         2.10   

Directors and executive officers as a group

     21,891         0.03   

Public (2)

     62,098,148         71.22   

POSCO (held in the form of treasury stock)

     7,191,187         8.25   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total issued shares of common stock

     87,186,835         100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Held in the form of ADRs.

 

(2) Includes ADRs.

As of December 31, 2015, there were 12,495,565 shares of common stock outstanding in the form of ADRs, representing 14.33% of the total issued shares of common stock.

Item 7.B.  Related Party Transactions

We have issued guarantees of Won 6,362 billion as of December 31, 2013, Won 6,691 billion as of December 31, 2014 and Won 6,855 billion as of December 31, 2015, in favor of affiliated and related companies. We have also engaged in various transactions with our subsidiaries and affiliated companies. See Notes 37 and 38 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, we had no loans outstanding to our executive officers and Directors.

Item 7.C.  Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable

Item 8.  Financial Information

Item 8.A.  Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

See “Item 18. Financial Statements” and pages F-1 through F-117.

Legal Proceedings

In recent years, we have become subject to a number of anti-dumping duties in the United States, Canada, the European Union, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Taiwan and Thailand and safeguard duties in Thailand and Malaysia. We are also subject to a number of on-going anti-dumping and safeguard investigations in the United States, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. In addition, the Mexican government initiated an anti-dumping investigation in October 2012 relating to our exports of cold rolled steel products, and the investigation was suspended until 2018 on condition that we comply with supply undertakings. Our products that are subject to anti-dumping, safeguard or countervailing duty proceedings in the aggregate currently do not account for a material portion of our total sales, and such proceedings have not had a material adverse impact on our business and operations in recent years. However, there can be no assurance that

 

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increases in, or new impositions of, anti-dumping duties, safeguard duties, countervailing duties, quotas or tariffs on our exports of products abroad may not have a material adverse impact on our exports in the future. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — Item 4.B. Business Overview — Markets — Exports.”

During the course of its internal audit in July 2014, POSCO E&C, one of our subsidiaries, discovered certain officers’ use, for unauthorized and unidentified purposes, of approximately Won 10 billion belonging to POSCO E&C’s project management office and its subsidiary in Vietnam between 2009 and 2012, which related to certain construction projects in Vietnam. POSCO E&C, after such discovery through its internal audit, undertook an internal investigation over other projects for further assessment, strengthened its internal control procedures, such as segregating duties and enhancing monitoring procedures, to ensure similar cases do not arise and reprimanded the responsible employees, including dismissal of the responsible officers. After POSCO E&C’s internal audit result was publicized by the press, the prosecutors’ office of Korea commenced an investigation that lasted from March to October of 2015, which resulted in a determination to prosecute 14 responsible employees. We understand that the scope of the prosecution remains limited to the individuals and does not extend to POSCO E&C.

In 2012, the Korea Fair Trade Commission imposed a total fine of Won 108.6 billion on us and POSCO Coated & Color Steel Co., Ltd. (“POSCO Coated & Color Steel”), our consolidated subsidiary, for alleged antitrust violations in Korea relating to galvanized steel sheets and color sheets. Subsequent to paying such fines, we and POSCO Coated & Color Steel each filed for judicial review of such fines in the Seoul High Court in February 2013. In July 2015, the Seoul High Court ruled in our favor for reimbursement of the fine of Won 89.3 billion imposed on us, which was subsequently appealed by the Korea Fair Trade Commission and is currently pending at the Supreme Court of Korea. In January 2016, the Seoul High Court ruled against POSCO Coated & Color Steel with respect to the fine of Won 19.3 billion imposed against it, but POSCO Coated & Color Steel appealed with respect to Won 3.0 billion of such fine, which is currently pending at the Supreme Court of Korea. We and POSCO Coated & Color Steel intend to vigorously defend against such administrative actions.

In May 2002, Industrial Development Bank of India brought a suit against POSCO Daewoo, Daewoo Motors India Ltd., Daewoo Co., Ltd. and Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. in the India Delhi Mumbai Court, regarding its loans to Daewoo Motors India Ltd. guaranteed by Daewoo Co., Ltd. (predecessor of POSCO Daewoo). The total claim amount is Won 77 billion, and POSCO Daewoo recorded provision of Won 23 billion relating to its portion of the guarantee. The outcome of such lawsuits remains uncertain and POSCO Daewoo’s provision is classified as a non-current liability as of December 31, 2015.

In April 2012, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation filed a civil lawsuit in Japan, alleging violation of trade secrets and seeking prohibition on production and sales of grain oriented electrical steel sheets. In September 2015, we paid Won 299 billion as settlement to Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, and the lawsuit filed in Japan as well as all related lawsuits filed by Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation were withdrawn.

Except as described above, we are not involved in any pending or threatened legal or arbitration proceedings that may have, or have had during the last 12 months, a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.

Dividends

The amount of dividends paid on our common stock is subject to approval at the annual general meeting of shareholders, which is typically held in February or March of the following year. In addition to our annual dividends, our board of directors is authorized to declare and distribute interim dividends once a year under our articles of incorporation. If we decide to pay interim dividends, our articles of

 

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incorporation authorize us to pay them in cash, shares or other form of property to the shareholders of record as of June 30 of the relevant fiscal year. We may pay cash dividends out of retained earnings that have not been appropriated to statutory reserves.

The table below sets out the annual dividends declared on the outstanding common stock to shareholders of record on December 31 of the years indicated and the interim dividends declared on the outstanding common stock to shareholders of record on June 30 of the years indicated. A total of 87,186,835 shares of common stock were issued as of December 31, 2015. Of these shares and as of such date, 79,995,648 shares were outstanding and 7,191,187 shares were held by us in treasury. The annual dividends set out for each of the years below were paid in the immediately following year.

 

Year

   Annual Dividend per
Common Stock to
Public
   Interim Dividend
per Common Stock
   Average Total
Dividend per
Common Stock
 
     (In Won)  

2011

   7,500    2,500      10,000   

2012

   6,000    2,000      8,000   

2013

   6,000    2,000      8,000   

2014

   6,000    2,000      8,000   

2015

   6,000    2,000      8,000   

Owners of the ADSs are entitled to receive any dividends payable in respect of the underlying shares of common stock.

Historically, we have paid to holders of record of our common stock an annual dividend. However, we can give no assurance that we will continue to declare and pay any dividends in the future.

Item 8.B. Significant Changes

Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.

Item 9.  The Offer and Listing

Item 9.A.  Offer and Listing Details

Market Price Information

Notes

Not applicable

 

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Common Stock

The principal trading market for our common stock is the KRX KOSPI Market. Our common stock, which is in registered form and has a par value of Won 5,000 per share, has been listed on the first section of the KRX KOSPI Market since June 1988 under the identifying code 005490. The table below shows the high and low trading prices and the average daily volume of trading activity on the KRX KOSPI Market for our common stock.

 

     Price      Average Daily
Trading Volume
 
     High      Low     
     ( In Won)      (Number of
Shares)
 

2011

        

First Quarter

     517,000         450,500         345,785   

Second Quarter

     565,000         421,000         282,070   

Third Quarter

     480,000         358,500         277,876   

Fourth Quarter

     351,000         308,000         235,063   

2012

        

First Quarter

     424,000         376,000         198,239   

Second Quarter

     385,000         351,500         169,135   

Third Quarter

     391,000         353,500         159,508   

Fourth Quarter

     367,000         308,000         202,895   

2013

        

First Quarter

     371,000         321,500         169,232   

Second Quarter

     326,000         292,500         182,277   

Third Quarter

     340,000         292,500         225,474   

Fourth Quarter

     338,000         307,500         183,055   

2014

        

First Quarter

     322,000         272,500         222,494   

Second Quarter

     317,000         285,500         170,778   

Third Quarter

     361,000         291,500         201,548   

Fourth Quarter

     321,500         275,500         191,916   

2015

        

First Quarter

     290,500         242,500         211,737   

Second Quarter

     269,000         214,500         256,415   

Third Quarter

     229,000         168,500         285,052   

Fourth Quarter

     193,000         162,000         380,436   

October

     193,000         167,000         396,644   

November

     188,000         165,500         326,570   

December

     179,000         162,000         418,095   

2016

        

First Quarter

     222,000         156,000         394,379   

January

     178,500         156,000         367,264   

February

     202,000         173,000         391,685   

March

     222,000         203,000         413,306   

Second Quarter (through April 27)

     249,000         213,500         434,336   

April (through April 27)

     249,000         213,500         434,336   

ADSs

Our common stock is also listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange in the form of ADSs. The ADSs have been issued by Citibank, N.A. as ADR depositary and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PKX.” One ADS represents one-fourth of one share of common stock. As of December 31, 2015, 49,982,260 ADSs representing 12,495,565 common shares were outstanding, representing 14.33% shares of common stock.

 

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The table below shows the high and low trading prices and the average daily volume of trading activity on the New York Stock Exchange for our ADSs.

 

     Price      Average Daily
Trading  Volume
 
     High      Low     
     (In US$)      (Number of
ADSs)
 

2011

        

First Quarter

     117.57         100.50         403,646   

Second Quarter

     116.83         95.86         348,986   

Third Quarter

     112.41         76.01         344,454   

Fourth Quarter

     89.16         72.51         366,073   

2012

        

First Quarter

     94.06         80.28         268,347   

Second Quarter

     85.09         74.82         262,176   

Third Quarter

     85.55         77.21         190,260   

Fourth Quarter

     82.97         71.85         187,932   

2013

        

First Quarter

     86.69         72.41         258,130   

Second Quarter

     74.82         63.23         252,261   

Third Quarter

     78.75         64.29         186,347   

Fourth Quarter

     80.40         72.19         177,415   

2014

        

First Quarter

     75.88         64.03         298,320   

Second Quarter

     76.56         69.60         223,292   

Third Quarter

     86.37         71.97         232,861   

Fourth Quarter

     75.11         63.61         361,829   

2015

        

First Quarter

     66.00         54.66         305,147   

Second Quarter

     61.95         48.17         279,028   

Third Quarter

     51.03         34.48         475,594   

Fourth Quarter

     42.62         33.73         455,010   

October

     42.62         34.85         518,573   

November

     42.00         34.42         441,353   

December

     38.82         33.73         403,863   

2016

        

First Quarter

     47.61         32.26         388,580   

January

     37.09         32.26         463,277   

February

     40.53         35.76         331,243   

March

     47.61         41.09         376,193   

Second Quarter (through April 26)

     54.85         46.71         446,989   

April (through April 26)

     54.85         46.71         446,989   

Item 9.B.  Plan of Distribution

Not applicable

Item  9.C.  Markets

The Korean Securities Market

On January 27, 2005, the Korea Exchange was established pursuant to the Korea Securities and Futures Exchange Act by consolidating the Korea Stock Exchange, the Korea Futures Exchange, the KOSDAQ Stock Market, Inc., or the KOSDAQ, and the KOSDAQ Committee of the Korea Securities Dealers Association, which had formerly managed the KOSDAQ. There are three different markets operated by the Korea Exchange: the KRX KOSPI Market, the KRX KOSDAQ Market, and the KRX Derivatives Market. The Korea Exchange has two trading floors located in Seoul, one for the KRX KOSPI Market and one for the KRX KOSDAQ Market, and one trading floor in Busan for the KRX Derivatives Market. The Korea Exchange is a limited liability company, the shares of which are held by (i) investment brokers and investment dealers that were formerly members of the Korea Futures

 

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Exchange or the Korea Stock Exchange and (ii) the stockholders of the KOSDAQ. Currently, the Korea Exchange is the only stock exchange in Korea and is operated by membership, having as its members most of the Korean investment brokers and investment dealers and some Korean branches of foreign investment brokers and investment dealers.

According to data published by the Korea Exchange, as of December 31, 2015, the aggregate market value of equity securities listed on the KRX KOSPI Market and the KRX KOSDAQ Market was approximately Won 1,444 trillion, and the average daily trading volume of equity securities for 2015 was approximately 1,060 million shares with an average transaction value of Won 8,875 billion. The Korea Exchange has the power in some circumstances to suspend trading in the shares of a given company or to de-list a security pursuant to the Regulation on Listing on the Korea Exchange. The Korea Exchange also restricts share price movements. All listed companies are required to file accounting reports annually, semi-annually and quarterly and to release immediately all information that may affect trading in a security.

The Government has in the past exerted, and continues to exert, substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector business community that can have the intention or effect of depressing or boosting the market. In the past, the Government has informally both encouraged and restricted the declaration and payment of dividends, induced mergers to reduce what it considers excess capacity in a particular industry and induced private companies to offer publicly their securities.

The Korea Exchange publishes the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or KOSPI, every ten seconds, which is an index of all equity securities listed on the Korea Exchange. On January 1, 1983, the method of computing KOSPI was changed from the Dow Jones method to the aggregate value method. In the new method, the market capitalizations of all listed companies are aggregated, subject to certain adjustments, and this aggregate is expressed as a percentage of the aggregate market capitalization of all listed companies as of the base date, January 4, 1980.

Movements in KOSPI are set out in the following table together with the associated dividend yields and price earnings ratios.

 

                                 Period Average  

Year

   Opening      High      Low      Closing      Dividend
Yield (1)(2)
(Percent)
     Price
Earnings
Ratio (2)(3)
 

1986

     161.40         279.67         153.85         272.61         4.3         7.6   

1987

     264.82         525.11         264.82         525.11         2.6         10.9   

1988

     532.04         922.56         527.89         907.20         2.4         11.2   

1989

     919.61         1,007.77         844.75         909.72         2.0         13.9   

1990

     908.59         928.82         566.27         696.11         2.2         12.8   

1991

     679.75         763.10         586.51         610.92         2.6         11.2   

1992

     624.23         691.48         459.07         678.44         2.2         10.9   

1993

     697.41         874.10         605.93         866.18         1.6         12.7   

1994

     879.32         1,138.75         855.37         1,027.37         1.2         16.2   

1995

     1,027.45         1,016.77         847.09         882.94         1.2         16.4   

1996

     882.29         986.84         651.22         651.22         1.3         17.8   

1997

     647.67         792.29         350.68         376.31         1.5         17.0   

1998

     374.41         579.86         280.00         562.46         1.9         10.8   

1999

     565.10         1,028.07         498.42         1,028.07         1.1         13.5   

2000

     1,028.33         1,059.04         500.60         504.62         1.6         18.6   

2001

     503.31         704.50         468.76         693.70         2.0         14.2   

2002

     698.00         937.61         584.04         627.55         1.4         17.8   

2003

     633.03         822.16         515.24         810.71         2.2         10.9   

2004

     821.26         936.06         719.59         895.92         2.1         15.8   

2005

     896.00         1,379.37         870.84         1,379.37         1.7         11.0   

2006

     1,383.32         1,464.70         1,203.86         1,434.46         1.7         11.4   

2007

     1,438.89         2,015.48         1,345.08         1,897.13         1.4         16.8   

2008

     1,891.45         1,888.88         938.75         1,124.47         2.6         8.9   

 

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                                 Period Average  

Year

   Opening      High      Low      Closing      Dividend
Yield (1)(2)
(Percent)
     Price
Earnings
Ratio (2)(3)
 

2009

     1,132.87         1,718.88         1,018.81         1,682.77         1.2         23.7   

2010

     1,681.71         2,052.97         1,552.79         2,051.00         1.1         19.0   

2011

     2,063.69         2,231.47         1,644.11         1,825.12         1.3         13.1   

2012

     1,831.69         2,057.28         1,758.99         1,997.05         1.3         12.9   

2013

     2,031.10         2,059.58         1,780.63         2,011.34         1.1         15.0   

2014

     2,013.11         2,093.08         1,881.73         1,915.19         1.1         15.3   

2015

     1,926.44         2,173.41         1,829.81         1,961.31         1.3         14.6   

2016 (through April 27)

     1,918.76         2,022.10         1,835.28         2,015.40         1.4         14.3   

 

Source: The KRX KOSPI Market

 

(1) Dividend yields are based on daily figures. Before 1983, dividend yields were calculated at the end of each month. Dividend yields after January 3, 1984 include cash dividends only.

 

(2) Starting in April 2000, dividend yield and price earnings ratio are calculated based on KOSPI 200, an index of 200 equity securities listed on the KRX KOSPI Market. Starting in April 2000, KOSPI 200 excludes classified companies, companies which did not submit annual reports to the KRX KOSPI Market, and companies which received qualified opinion from external auditors.

 

(3) The price earnings ratio is based on figures for companies that record a profit in the preceding year.

Shares are quoted “ex-dividend” on the first trading day of the relevant company’s accounting period. Since the calendar year is the accounting period for the majority of listed companies, this may account for the drop in KOSPI between its closing level at the end of one calendar year and its opening level at the beginning of the following calendar year.

With certain exceptions, principally to take account of a share being quoted “ex-dividend” and “ex-rights,” permitted upward and downward movements in share prices of any category of shares on any day are limited under the rules of the Korea Exchange to 30% of the previous day’s closing price of the shares, rounded down as set out below:

 

Previous Day’s Closing Price (Won)

   Rounded
Down
to (Won)
 

Less than 1,000

     1   

1,000 to less than 5,000

     5   

5,000 to less than 10,000

     10   

10,000 to less than 50,000

     50   

50,000 to less than 100,000

     100   

100,000 to less than 500,000

     500   

500,000 or more

     1,000   

As a consequence, if a particular closing price is the same as the price set by the fluctuation limit, the closing price may not reflect the price at which persons would have been prepared, or would be prepared to continue, if so permitted, to buy and sell shares. Orders are executed on an auction system with priority rules to deal with competing bids and offers.

Due to deregulation of restrictions on brokerage commission rates, the brokerage commission rate on equity securities transactions may be determined by the parties, subject to commission schedules being filed with the Korea Exchange by the financial investment companies with a brokerage license. In addition, a securities transaction tax of 0.5% of the sales price will generally be imposed on the transfer of shares or certain securities representing rights to subscribe for shares if traded on the KRX KOSPI Market. An agricultural and fishery special surtax of 0.15% of the sales prices will also be imposed on transfer of these shares and securities on the Korea Exchange. See “Item 10. Additional Information — Item 10.E. Taxation — Korean Taxation.”

 

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The number of companies listed on the KRX KOSPI Market, the corresponding total market capitalization at the end of the periods indicated and the average daily trading volume for those periods are set forth in the following table:

 

     Market Capitalization on the
Last Day of Each Period
     Average Daily Trading Volume, Value  

Year

   Number of
Listed
Companies
     (Billions
of Won)
     (Millions of
US$) (1)
     Thousands
of Shares
     (Millions of
Won)
     (Thousands
of US$) (1)
 

1986

     355       11,994       US$ 13,924         31,755       32,870       US$ 38,159   

1987

     389         26,172         33,033         20,353         70,185         88,583   

1988

     502         64,544         94,348         10,367         198,364         289,963   

1989

     626         95,477         140,490         11,757         280,967         414,430   

1990

     669         79,020         110,301         10,866         183,692         256,411   

1991

     686         73,118         96,107         14,022         214,263         281,629   

1992

     688         84,712         107,448         24,028         308,246         390,977   

1993

     693         112,665         139,420         35,130         574,048         710,367   

1994

     699         151,217         191,730         36,862         776,257         984,223   

1995

     721         141,151         182,201         26,130         487,762         629,613   

1996

     760         117,370         139,031         26,571         486,834         576,680   

1997

     776         70,989         50,162         41,525         555,759         392,707   

1998

     748         137,799         114,091         97,716         660,429         546,803   

1999

     725         349,504         305,137         278,551         3,481,620         3,039,655   

2000

     704         188,042         149,275         306,163         2,602,211         2,065,739   

2001

     689         255,850         192,934         473,241         1,997,420         1,506,237   

2002

     683         258,681         215,496         857,245         3,041,598         2,533,815   

2003

     684         355,363         296,679         542,010         2,216,636         1,850,589   

2004

     683         412,588         395,275         372,895         2,232,109         2,138,445   

2005

     702         655,075         646,158         467,629         3,157,662         3,114,679   

2006

     731         704,588         757,948         279,096         3,435,180         3,695,331   

2007

     745         951,900         1,016,770         363,741         5,539,653         5,917,168   

2008

     763         576,888         458,758         352,599         3,211,039         2,553,510   

2009

     770         887,935         762,503         485,657         5,595,552         4,976,859   

2010

     777         1,141,885         1,006,243         380,859         5,619,768         4,952,210   

2011

     791         1,041,999         904,670         353,760         6,836,146         5,935,185   

2012

     930         1,154,294         1,078,578         486,479         4,823,642         4,507,234   

2013

     777         1,185,974         1,123,720         328,425         3,993,422         3,783,800   

2014

     773         1,192,253         1,084,655         278,081         3,983,580         3,624,072   

2015

     770         1,242,832         1,060,437         455,256         5,351,734         4,566,326   

2016 (through April 27)

     769         1,276,057         1,109,904         364,992         4,604,139         4,004,644   

 

Source: The Korea Exchange

 

(1) Converted at the Concentration Base Rate of The Bank of Korea or the Market Average Exchange Rate, as the case may be, at the end of the periods indicated.

The Korean securities markets are principally regulated by the Financial Services Commission and under the regulations set forth in the FSCMA. In August 2007, the National Assembly of Korea enacted the FSCMA. The FSCMA, which came into effect on February 4, 2009, comprehensively regulates the Korean capital markets, the financial investment business (including collective investment businesses and trust businesses) and financial investment products (such as securities and derivatives). The FSCMA imposes restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation, requires specified information to be made available by listed companies to investors and establishes rules regarding margin trading, proxy solicitation, takeover bids, acquisition of treasury shares and reporting requirements for shareholders holding substantial interests. The FSCMA regulates the operation and monitoring of the securities and derivatives markets.

Protection of Customer’s Interest in Case of Insolvency of Investment Brokers or Investment Dealers

Under Korean law, the relationship between a customer and an investment broker or an investment dealer in connection with a securities sell or buy order is deemed to be a consignment and

 

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the securities acquired by a consignment agent (i.e., the investment broker or the investment dealer) through such sell or buy order are regarded as belonging to the customer in so far as the customer and the consignment agent’s creditors are concerned. Therefore, in the event of a bankruptcy or reorganization procedure involving an investment broker or an investment dealer, the customer of the investment broker or the investment dealer is entitled to the proceeds of the securities sold by the investment broker or the investment dealer.

When a customer places a sell order with an investment broker or an investment dealer that is not a member of the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market and this investment broker or investment dealer places a sell order with another investment broker or investment dealer that is a member of the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRXKOSDAQ Market, the customer is still entitled to the proceeds of the securities sold and received by the non-member company from the member company regardless of the bankruptcy or reorganization of the non-member company.

Under the FSCMA, the Korea Exchange is obliged to indemnify any loss or damage incurred by a counterparty as a result of a breach by members of the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market. If an investment broker or an investment dealer that is a member of the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market breaches its obligation in connection with a buy order, the Korea Exchange is obliged to pay the purchase price on behalf of the breaching member. Therefore, the customer can acquire the securities that have been ordered to be purchased by the breaching member.

When a customer places a buy order with a non-member company and the non-member company places a buy order with a member company, the customer has the legal right to the securities received by the non-member company from the member company because the purchased securities are regarded as belonging to the customer in so far as the customer and the non-member company’s creditors are concerned.

As the cash deposited with an investment broker or an investment dealer is regarded as belonging to the investment broker or investment dealer, which is liable to return the same at the request of its customer, the customer cannot take back deposited cash from the investment broker or the investment dealer if a bankruptcy or rehabilitation procedure is instituted against the investment broker or the investment dealer and, therefore, can suffer from loss or damage as a result. However, in case of the investment broker or the investment dealer’s bankruptcy, liquidation, cancellation of investment broker or investment dealer license or other insolvency events, the Depositor Protection Act provides that the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation will, upon the request of the investors, pay each investor up to a total of Won 50 million, which shall represent both actual cash deposited and any interest accrued thereon. Pursuant to the FSCMA, as amended, investment brokers or investment dealers are required to deposit the cash received from its customers at the securities finance company established pursuant to the FSCMA. Set-off or attachment of cash deposits by investment brokers or investment dealers is prohibited. The premiums related to this insurance are paid by investment brokers or investment dealers.

Clearance and Settlement

The settlement of trades on the Korea Exchange is required to be handled by a settlement agency of the Korea Exchange. The Korea Securities Depository is the institution commissioned by the Korea Exchange to handle all such settlement of trades. The settlement of trades on the Korea Exchange takes place through a clearance and settlement procedure. The Korea Exchange has adopted the multilateral netting system and carries out the clearance of the trades by netting the sales and purchases of each Korea Securities Depository participant. The Korea Exchange is required to provide the daily net settlement results of the trades to the Korea Securities Depository one business day after the day of the sale and purchase contract. The Korea Securities Depository then handles settlement of the securities and the funds based on the information received from the Korea Exchange. The securities are settled through book-entry changes in the accounts of Korea Securities Depository

 

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participants and the funds are settled by transfer to an account at a bank designated by the Korea Securities Depository. Settlement of trades is generally required to take place on the third day following the day of the sale and purchase contract.

Item 9.D.  Selling Shareholders

Not applicable

Item 9.E.  Dilution

Not applicable

Item 9.F.  Expenses of the Issuer

Not applicable

Item 10.  Additional Information

Item 10.A.  Share Capital

Currently, our authorized share capital is 200,000,000 shares, which consists of shares of common stock, par value Won 5,000 per share (“Common Shares”) and shares of non-voting stock, par value Won 5,000 per share (“Non-Voting Preferred Shares”). Our Non-Voting Preferred Shares have a preferential right to dividend payments. Common Shares and Non-Voting Preferred Shares together are referred to as “Shares.” Under our articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue Non-Voting Preferred Shares up to the limit prescribed by applicable law, the aggregate of which currently is one-quarter of our total issued and outstanding capital stock. As of December 31, 2015, 87,186,835 Common Shares were issued, of which 7,191,187 shares were held by us in treasury. We have never issued any Non-Voting Preferred Shares. All of the issued and outstanding Common Shares are fully-paid and non-assessable and are in registered form. We issue share certificates in denominations of 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 10,000 shares.

Item 10.B.  Memorandum and Articles of Association

This section provides information relating to our capital stock, including brief summaries of material provisions of our articles of incorporation, the FSCMA, the Commercial Code and related laws, all as currently in effect. The following summaries are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, our articles of incorporation and the applicable provisions of the FSCMA and the Commercial Code. We have filed copies of our articles of incorporation and these laws (except for the newly enacted the FSCMA) as exhibits to registration statements under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act previously filed by us.

Dividends

We distribute dividends to our shareholders in proportion to the number of shares owned by each shareholder. The Common Shares represented by the ADSs have the same dividend rights as other outstanding Common Shares.

Holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares are entitled to receive dividends in priority to the holders of Common Shares in an amount not less than 9% of the par value of the Non-Voting Preferred Shares as determined by the board of directors at the time of their issuance. If the amount available for dividends is less than the aggregate amount of such minimum dividend, we do not have to declare dividends on the Non-Voting Preferred Shares.

We may declare dividends annually at the annual general meeting of shareholders which is held within three months after the end of the fiscal year. We pay the annual dividend shortly after the annual

 

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general meeting to the shareholders of record as of the end of the preceding fiscal year. We may distribute the annual dividend in cash, Shares or other form of property. However, a dividend of Shares must be distributed at par value. Dividends in Shares may not exceed one-half of the annual dividend. In addition, we may declare, and distribute in cash, interim dividends pursuant to a board resolution once a fiscal year to the eligible shareholders recorded as of the end of March, June and September of the relevant fiscal year. We have no obligation to pay any annual dividend unclaimed for five years from the payment date.

Under the Commercial Code, we may pay an annual dividend only to the extent the net asset amount in our balance sheets exceeds the sum of the following: (i) our stated capital, (ii) the total amount of our capital surplus reserve and earned surplus reserve accumulated up to the end of the relevant dividend period, (iii) the legal reserve to be set aside for annual dividend, and (iv) unrealized profits determined in the Presidential Decree to the Commercial Code. We may not pay an annual dividend unless we have set aside as earned surplus reserve an amount equal to at least 10% of the cash portion of the annual dividend or unless we have accumulated earned surplus reserve of not less than one-half of our stated capital. We may not use legal reserve to pay cash dividends but may transfer amounts from legal reserve to capital stock or use legal reserve to reduce an accumulated deficit.

Distribution of Free Shares

In addition to paying dividends in Shares out of our retained or current earnings, we may also distribute to our shareholders an amount transferred from our capital surplus or legal reserve to our stated capital in the form of free shares. We must distribute such free shares to all our shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings.

Preemptive Rights and Issuance of Additional Shares

We may issue authorized but unissued shares at the times and, unless otherwise provided in the Commercial Code, on the terms our board of directors may determine. All our shareholders are generally entitled to subscribe for any newly issued Shares in proportion to their existing shareholdings. We must offer new Shares on uniform terms to all shareholders who have preemptive rights and are listed on our shareholders’ register as of the relevant record date. Under the Commercial Code, we may vary, without shareholders’ approval, the terms of these preemptive rights for different classes of shares. We must give public notice of the preemptive rights regarding new Shares and their transferability at least two weeks before the relevant record date. Our board of directors may determine how to distribute Shares for which preemptive rights have not been exercised or where fractions of Shares occur.

Under our articles of incorporation, we may issue new Shares pursuant to a board resolution to persons other than existing shareholders, who in these circumstances will not have preemptive rights, if the new Shares are:

 

   

offered publicly or to underwriters for underwriting pursuant to the FSCMA;

 

   

issued to members of our employee stock ownership association pursuant to the FSCMA;

 

   

represented by depositary receipts pursuant to the FSCMA;

 

   

issued in a general public offering pursuant to a board resolution in accordance with the FSCMA, the amount of which is no more than 10% of the outstanding Shares;

 

   

issued to our creditors pursuant to a debt-equity swap;

 

   

issued to domestic or foreign corporations pursuant to a joint venture agreement, strategic coalition or technology inducement agreement when deemed necessary for management purposes; or

 

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issued to domestic or foreign financial institutions when necessary for raising funds in emergency cases.

In addition, we may issue convertible bonds or bonds with warrants, each up to an aggregate principal amount of Won 2 trillion, to persons other than existing shareholders.

Members of our employee stock ownership association, whether or not they are our shareholders, generally have a preemptive right to subscribe for up to 20% of the Shares publicly offered pursuant to the FSCMA. This right is exercisable only to the extent that the total number of Shares so acquired and held by members of our employee stock ownership association does not exceed 20% of the total number of Shares then issued. As of December 31, 2015, our employees owned, through our employee stock ownership association, approximately 0.001% of our common stock in their association accounts and 1.76% of our common stock in their employee accounts.

General Meeting of Shareholders

We hold the annual general meeting of shareholders within three months after the end of each fiscal year. The record date of the register of shareholders is December 31 of each year, and such shareholders listed on the register of shareholder as of the record date are entitled to exercise their right at the general meeting of shareholders. Subject to a board resolution or court approval, we may hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders:

 

   

as necessary;

 

   

at the request of holders of an aggregate of 3% or more of our outstanding Shares;

 

   

at the request of shareholders holding an aggregate of 1.5% or more of our outstanding Shares for at least six months; or

 

   

at the request of our audit committee.

Holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares may request a general meeting of shareholders only after the Non-Voting Preferred Shares become entitled to vote or “enfranchised,” as described under “— Voting Rights” below.

We must give shareholders written notice or electronic document setting out the date, place and agenda of the meeting at least two weeks before the date of the general meeting of shareholders. However, for holders of 1% or less of the total number of issued and outstanding voting Shares, we may give notice by placing at least two public notices in at least two daily newspapers or by notices to be posted on the electronic disclosure database system maintained by the Financial Supervisory Service or the Korea Exchange at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. Currently, we use The Seoul Shinmun published in Seoul, The Maeil Shinmun published in Taegu and The Kwangju Ilbo published in Kwangju for this purpose. Shareholders not on the shareholders’ register as of the record date are not entitled to receive notice of the general meeting of shareholders or attend or vote at the meeting. Holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares, unless enfranchised, are not entitled to receive notice of general meetings of shareholders, but may attend such meetings. Our general meetings of shareholders are held either in Pohang or Seoul.

Voting Rights

Holders of our Common Shares are entitled to one vote for each Common Share, except that voting rights of Common Shares held by us, or by a corporate shareholder that is more than 10% owned by us either directly or indirectly, may not be exercised. The Commercial Code permitted cumulative voting, under which voting method each shareholder would have multiple voting rights corresponding to the number of directors to be appointed in the voting and may exercise all voting rights cumulatively to elect one director.

Our shareholders may adopt resolutions at a general meeting by an affirmative majority vote of the voting Shares present or represented at the meeting, where the affirmative votes also represent at

 

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least one-fourth of our total voting Shares then issued and outstanding. However, under the Commercial Code and our articles of incorporation, the following matters, among others, require approval by the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting Shares present or represented at a meeting, where the affirmative votes also represent at least one-third of our total voting Shares then issued and outstanding:

 

   

amending our articles of incorporation;

 

   

removing a director;

 

   

effecting any dissolution, merger or consolidation of us;

 

   

transferring the whole or any significant part of our business;

 

   

acquisition of all or a part of the business of any other company that may have a material impact on our business;

 

   

issuing any new Shares at a price lower than their par value; or

 

   

approving matters required to be approved at a general meeting of shareholders, which have material effects on our assets, as determined by the Board of Directors.

In general, holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares are not entitled to vote on any resolution or receive notice of any general meeting of shareholders. However, in the case of amendments to our articles of incorporation, or any merger or consolidation of us, or in some other cases that affect the rights or interests of the Non-Voting Preferred Shares, approval of the holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares is required. We may obtain the approval by a resolution of holders of at least two-thirds of the Non-Voting Preferred Shares present or represented at a class meeting of the holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares, where the affirmative votes also represent at least one-third of our total issued and outstanding Non-Voting Preferred Shares.

Shareholders may exercise their voting rights by proxy. When a shareholder is a corporate entity, such shareholder may give proxies to its officers or directors.

Holders of ADRs exercise their voting rights through the ADR depositary, an agent of which is the record holder of the underlying Common Shares. Subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement, ADR holders are entitled to instruct the ADR depositary how to vote the Common Shares underlying their ADSs.

Rights of Dissenting Shareholders

In some limited circumstances, including the transfer of the whole or any significant part of our business and our merger or consolidation with another company, dissenting shareholders have the right to require us to purchase their Shares. Only the shareholders who have executed a share purchase agreement evidencing their acquisition of the relevant Shares on or prior to the day immediately following the public disclosure of the board resolutions approving any of the aforementioned transactions have the rights to require us to purchase their Shares. To exercise this right, shareholders, including holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares, must submit to us a written notice of their intention to dissent before the general meeting of shareholders. Within 20 days after the relevant resolution is passed at a meeting, the dissenting shareholders must request us in writing to purchase their Shares. We are obligated to purchase the Shares of dissenting shareholders within one month after the expiration of the 20-day period. The purchase price for the Shares is required to be determined through negotiation between the dissenting shareholders and us. If we cannot agree on a price through negotiation, the purchase price will be the average of (1) the weighted average of the daily Share prices on the Korea Exchange for the two-month period before the date of the adoption of the relevant board resolution, (2) the weighted average of the daily Share price on the Korea Exchange

 

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for the one month period before the date of the adoption of the relevant resolution and (3) the weighted average of the daily Share price on the Korea Exchange for the one week period before such date of the adoption of the relevant resolution. However, the court may determine this price if we or dissenting shareholders do not accept the purchase price. Holders of ADSs will not be able to exercise dissenter’s rights unless they have withdrawn the underlying common stock and become our direct shareholders.

Register of Shareholders and Record Dates

Our transfer agent, Kookmin Bank, maintains the register of our shareholders at its office in Seoul, Korea. It registers transfers of Shares on the register of shareholders on presentation of the Share certificates.

The record date for annual dividends is December 31. For the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to annual dividends, the register of shareholders may be closed for the period from January 1 to January 15 of each year. Further, for the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to some other rights pertaining to the Shares, we may, on at least two weeks’ public notice, set a record date and/or close the register of shareholders for not more than three months. The trading of Shares and the delivery of share certificates may continue while the register of shareholders is closed.

Annual Report

At least one week before the annual general meeting of shareholders, we must make our annual report and audited financial statements available for inspection at our principal office and at all of our branch offices. In addition, copies of annual reports, the audited financial statements and any resolutions adopted at the general meeting of shareholders will be available to our shareholders.

Under the FSCMA, we must file with the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange (1) an annual business report within 90 days after the end of our fiscal year, (2) a half-year report within 45 days after the end of the first six months of our fiscal year, and (3) quarterly reports within 45 days after the end of the third month and the ninth month of our fiscal year. Copies of these reports are or will be available for public inspection at the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange.

Transfer of Shares

Under the Commercial Code, the transfer of Shares is effected by delivery of share certificates. However, to assert shareholders’ rights against us, the transferee must have his name and address registered on our register of shareholders. For this purpose, a shareholder is required to file his name, address and seal with our transfer agent. A non-Korean shareholder may file a specimen signature in place of a seal, unless he is a citizen of a country with a sealing system similar to that of Korea. In addition, a non-resident shareholder must appoint an agent authorized to receive notices on his behalf in Korea and file a mailing address in Korea. The above requirements do not apply to the holders of ADSs.

Under current Korean regulations, the Korea Securities Depository, foreign exchange banks (including domestic branches of foreign banks), financial investment companies with a brokerage, dealing or collective investment license and internationally recognized custodians may act as agents and provide related services for foreign shareholders. Certain foreign exchange controls and securities regulations apply to the transfer of Shares by non-residents or non-Koreans. See “Item 10. Additional Information — Item 10.D. Exchange Controls.”

Our transfer agent is Kookmin Bank, located at 26, Gukjegeumyung-ro 8-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Korea.

 

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Acquisition of Shares by Us

We may acquire our own Shares, subject to the approval by the general meeting of shareholders. In addition, we may acquire Shares through purchases on the Korea Exchange or through a tender offer or by acquiring the interests in a trust account holding our own Shares through agreements with trust companies and asset management companies. The aggregate purchase price for the Shares may not exceed the total amount available for distribution of dividends available at the end of the preceding fiscal year less the amount of dividends and mandatory reserves required to be set aside for that fiscal year, subject to certain procedural requirements.

In accordance with the Commercial Code, we may resell or transfer any Shares acquired by us to a third party, subject to the approval by the Board of Directors. In general, corporate entities in which we own more than 50% equity interest may not acquire our Shares. Under the FSCMA, we are subject to certain selling restrictions for the Shares acquired by us.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of our liquidation, after payment of all debts, liquidation expenses and taxes, our remaining assets will be distributed among shareholders in proportion to their shareholdings. Holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares have no preference in liquidation.

Item 10.C.  Material Contracts

None.

Item 10.D.  Exchange Controls

Shares and ADSs

The Foreign Exchange Transaction Act and the Presidential Decree and regulations under that Act and Decree (collectively, “Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws”) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Law regulate investment in Korean securities by non-residents and issuance of securities outside Korea by Korean companies. Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws, non-residents may invest in Korean securities subject to procedural requirements in accordance with these laws. The Financial Services Commission has also adopted, pursuant to its authority under the FSCMA, regulations that restrict investment by foreigners in Korean securities.

Subject to certain limitations, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance has the authority to take the following actions under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws:

 

   

if the Government deems it necessary on account of war, armed conflict, natural disaster or grave and sudden and significant changes in domestic or foreign economic circumstances or similar events or circumstances, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance may temporarily suspend performance under any or all foreign exchange transactions, in whole or in part, to which the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws apply (including suspension of payment and receipt of foreign exchange) or impose an obligation to deposit, safe-keep or sell any means of payment to The Bank of Korea, a foreign exchange stabilization fund, certain other governmental agencies or financial companies; and

 

   

if the Government concludes that the international balance of payments and international financial markets are experiencing or are likely to experience significant disruption or that the movement of capital between Korea and other countries is likely to adversely affect the Won, exchange rates or other macroeconomic policies, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance may take action to require any person who intends to effect a capital transaction to obtain permission or to require any person who effects a capital transaction to deposit a portion of the means of payment acquired in such transactions with The Bank of Korea, a foreign exchange stabilization fund, certain other governmental agencies or financial companies.

 

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Government Review of Issuance of ADSs

In order for us to issue shares represented by ADSs, we are required to file a prior report of the issuance with our designated foreign exchange bank or the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, depending on the issuance amount. No further Korean governmental approval is necessary for the initial offering and issuance of the ADSs.

Under current Korean laws and regulations, the depositary bank is required to obtain our prior consent for the number of shares to be deposited in any given proposed deposit which exceeds the difference between (1) the aggregate number of shares deposited by us for the issuance of ADSs (including deposits in connection with the initial and all subsequent offerings of ADSs and stock dividends or other distributions related to these ADSs) and (2) the number of shares on deposit with the depositary bank at the time of such proposed deposit. We can give no assurance that we would grant our consent, if our consent is required.

Reporting Requirements for Holders of Substantial Interests

Under the FSCMA, any person whose direct or beneficial ownership of shares with voting rights, whether in the form of shares or ADSs, certificates representing the rights to subscribe for Shares and equity-related debt securities including convertible bonds and bonds with warrants (collectively, “Equity Securities”) together with the Equity Securities beneficially owned by certain related persons or by any person acting in concert with the person accounts for 5% or more of the total outstanding Equity Securities is required to report the status and the purpose (whether or not to exert an influence on management control over the issuer) of the holdings to the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange within five business days after reaching the 5% ownership interest. In addition, any change in the purpose of holding such ownership interest or a change in the ownership interest subsequent to the report which equals or exceeds 1% of the total outstanding Equity Securities is required to be reported to the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange within five business days from the date of the change. However, the reporting deadline of such reporting requirement is extended to the tenth day of the month immediately following the month of such change in their shareholding for (1) certain professional investors, as specified under the FSCMA, or (2) persons who hold shares for purposes other than management control. Those who report the purpose of shareholding as management control of the issuer are prohibited from exercising their voting rights and acquiring additional shares for five days subsequent to their report under the FSCMA.

Violation of these reporting requirements may subject a person to criminal sanctions such as fines or imprisonment and may result in a loss of voting rights with respect to the ownership of Equity Securities exceeding 5%. Furthermore, the Financial Services Commission may issue an order to dispose of non-reported Equity Securities.

In addition to the reporting requirements described above, any person whose direct or beneficial ownership of a company’s shares accounts for 10% or more of the total issued and outstanding shares with voting rights (a “major stockholder”) must report the status of his or her shareholding to the Securities and Futures Commission and the Korea Exchange within five business days after he or she becomes a major stockholder. In addition, any change in the ownership interest subsequent to the report must be reported to the Securities and Futures Commission and the Korea Exchange by the fifth business day of any changes in his or her shareholding. Violation of these reporting requirements may subject a person to criminal sanctions such as fines or imprisonment.

Under the KRX regulations, if a company listed on the KRX KOSPI Market has submitted public disclosure of material matters to a foreign financial investment supervisory authority pursuant to the laws of the foreign jurisdiction, then it must submit a copy of the public disclosure and a Korean translation thereof to the Korea Exchange. In addition, if a company listed on the KRX KOSPI Market is approved for listing on a foreign stock exchange or determined to be de-listed from the foreign stock

 

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exchange or actually lists on, or de-lists from, a foreign stock exchange, then it must submit to the Korea Exchange a copy, together with a Korean translation thereof, of all documents submitted to, or received from, the relevant foreign government, supervisory authority or stock exchange.

Restrictions Applicable to ADSs

No Korean governmental approval is necessary for the sale and purchase of ADSs in the secondary market outside Korea or for the withdrawal of shares underlying ADSs and the delivery inside Korea of shares in connection with the withdrawal, provided that a foreigner who intends to acquire the shares must obtain an investment registration card from the Financial Supervisory Service as described below. The acquisition of the shares by a foreigner must be immediately reported by the foreigner or his standing proxy in Korea to the Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service (“Governor”).

Persons who have acquired shares as a result of the withdrawal of shares underlying the ADSs may exercise their preemptive rights for new shares, participate in free distributions and receive dividends on shares without any further governmental approval.

In addition, under the Financial Services Commission regulations, effective as of November 30, 2006, we are required to file a securities registration statement with the Financial Services Commission and such securities registration statement has to become effective pursuant to the FSCMA in order for us to issue shares represented by ADSs, except in certain limited circumstances.

Restrictions Applicable to Shares

Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws and the Financial Services Commission regulations (together, the “Investment Rules”), foreigners may invest, with limited exceptions and subject to procedural requirements, in all shares of Korean companies, whether listed on the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market, unless prohibited by specific laws. Foreign investors may trade shares listed on the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market only through the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market, except in limited circumstances, including, among others:

 

   

odd-lot trading of shares;

 

   

acquisition of shares (“Converted Shares”) by exercise of warrant, conversion right under convertible bonds or withdrawal right under depositary receipts issued outside of Korea by a Korean company;

 

   

acquisition of shares as a result of inheritance, donation, bequest or exercise of shareholders’ rights, including preemptive rights or rights to participate in free distributions and receive dividends;

 

   

over-the-counter transactions between foreigners of a class of shares for which the ceiling on aggregate acquisition by foreigners, as explained below, has been reached or exceeded with certain exceptions;

 

   

shares acquired by direct investment as defined in the Foreign Investment Promotion Law;

 

   

disposal of shares pursuant to the exercise of appraisal rights of dissenting shareholders;

 

   

disposal of shares in connection with a tender offer;

 

   

acquisition of shares by a foreign depositary in connection with the issuance of depositary receipts;

 

   

acquisition and disposal of shares through overseas stock exchange market if such shares are simultaneously listed on the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market and such overseas stock exchange; and

 

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arm’s length transactions between foreigners, if all of such foreigners belong to an investment group managed by the same person.

The Investment Rules require a foreign investor who wishes to invest in shares for the first time on the Korea Exchange (including Converted Shares) to register its identity with the Financial Supervisory Service prior to making any such investment; however, the registration requirement does not apply to foreign investors who acquire Converted Shares with the intention of selling such Converted Shares within three months from the date of acquisition of the Converted Shares or who acquire the shares in an over-the-counter transaction or dispose of shares where such acquisition or disposal is deemed to be a foreign direct investment pursuant to the Foreign Investment Promotion Law. Upon registration, the Financial Supervisory Service will issue to the foreign investor an investment registration card which must be presented each time the foreign investor opens a brokerage account with a financial investment company with a brokerage license or dealing license in Korea. Foreigners eligible to obtain an investment registration card include foreign nationals who are individuals residing abroad for more than six months, foreign governments, foreign municipal authorities, foreign public institutions, international financial institutions or similar international organizations, corporations incorporated under foreign laws and any person in any additional category designated by the Enforcement Decree to the FSCMA. All Korean offices of a foreign corporation as a group are treated as a separate foreigner from the offices of the corporation outside Korea. However, a foreign corporation or depositary issuing depositary receipts may obtain one or more investment registration cards in its name in certain circumstances as described in the relevant regulations.

Upon a foreign investor’s purchase of shares through the Korea Exchange, no separate report by the investor is required because the investment registration card system is designed to control and oversee foreign investment through a computer system. However, a foreign investor’s acquisition or sale of shares outside the Korea Exchange (as discussed above) must be reported by the foreign investor or his standing proxy to the Governor at the time of each such acquisition or sale; provided, however, that a foreign investor must ensure that any acquisition or sale by it of shares outside the Korea Exchange in the case of trades in connection with a tender offer, odd-lot trading of shares or trades of a class of shares for which the aggregate foreign ownership limit has been reached or exceeded, is reported to the Governor by the Korea Securities Depository, financial investment companies with a dealing or brokerage license or securities finance companies engaged to facilitate such transaction. A foreign investor must appoint one or more standing proxies from among the Korea Securities Depository, foreign exchange banks (including domestic branches of foreign banks) financial investment companies with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license and internationally recognized custodians which will act as a standing proxy to exercise shareholders’ rights or perform any matters related to the foregoing activities if the foreign investor does not perform these activities himself. However, a foreign investor may be exempted from complying with these standing proxy rules with the approval of the Governor in cases deemed inevitable by reason of conflict between laws of Korea and those of the home country of the foreign investor.

Certificates evidencing shares of Korean companies must be kept in custody with an eligible custodian in Korea. Only foreign exchange banks (including domestic branches of foreign banks), financial investment companies with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license, the Korea Securities Depository and internationally recognized custodians are eligible to act as a custodian of shares for a non-resident or foreign investor. A foreign investor must ensure that his custodian deposits its shares with the Korea Securities Depository. However, a foreign investor may be exempted from complying with this deposit requirement with the approval of the Governor in circumstances where compliance with that requirement is made impracticable, including cases where compliance would contravene the laws of the home country of such foreign investor.

Under the Investment Rules, with certain exceptions, foreign investors may acquire shares of a Korean company without being subject to any foreign investment ceiling. As one such exception, designated public corporations are subject to a 40% ceiling on the acquisition of shares by foreigners

 

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in the aggregate. Designated public corporations may set a ceiling on the acquisition of shares by a single person according to its articles of incorporation. We set this ceiling at 3% until the discontinuation of our designation as a public corporation on September 28, 2000. As a result, we currently do not have any ceiling on the acquisition of shares by a single person or by foreigners in the aggregate. Furthermore, an investment by a foreign investor of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares with voting rights of a Korean company is defined as a direct foreign investment under the Foreign Investment Promotion Law, which is, in general, subject to the report to, and acceptance by, the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy. The acquisition of shares of a Korean company by a foreign investor may also be subject to certain foreign shareholding restrictions in the event that the restrictions are prescribed in each specific law which regulates the business of the Korean company.

Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws, a foreign investor who intends to acquire shares must designate a foreign exchange bank at which he must open a foreign currency account and a Won account exclusively for stock investments. No approval is required for remittance into Korea and deposit of foreign currency funds in the foreign currency account. Foreign currency funds may be transferred from the foreign currency account at the time required to place a deposit for, or settle the purchase price of, a stock purchase transaction to a Won account opened in the name of a financial investment company with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license. Funds in the foreign currency account may be remitted abroad without any governmental approval.

Dividends on Shares are paid in Won. No governmental approval is required for foreign investors to receive dividends on, or the Won proceeds of the sale of, any shares to be paid, received and retained in Korea. Dividends paid on, and the Won proceeds of the sale of, any shares held by a non-resident of Korea must be deposited either in a Won account with the investor’s financial investment company with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license or his Won Account. Funds in the investor’s Won Account may be transferred to his foreign currency account or withdrawn for local living expenses up to certain limitations. Funds in the Won Account may also be used for future investment in shares or for payment of the subscription price of new shares obtained through the exercise of preemptive rights.

Financial investment companies with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license are allowed to open foreign currency accounts with foreign exchange banks exclusively for accommodating foreign investors’ stock investments in Korea. Through these accounts, these financial investment companies and asset management companies may enter into foreign exchange transactions on a limited basis, such as conversion of foreign currency funds and Won funds, as counterparty to foreign investors, without the investors having to open their own accounts with foreign exchange banks.

Item 10.E.  Taxation

The following summary is based upon tax laws of the United States and Korea as in effect on the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, and is subject to any change in United States or Korean law that may come into effect after such date. Investors in the shares of common stock or ADSs are advised to consult their own tax advisers as to the United States, Korean or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of such securities, including the effect of any foreign, state or local tax laws.

Korean Taxation

The following is a summary of the principal Korean tax consequences to owners of the common shares or ADSs, as the case may be, who are non-resident individuals or non-Korean corporations without a permanent establishment in Korea to which the relevant income is attributable or with which the relevant income is effectively connected (“Non-resident Holders”). The statements regarding Korean tax laws set forth below are based on the laws in force and as interpreted by the Korean taxation authorities as of the date hereof. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible tax

 

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considerations which may apply to a particular investor and potential investors are advised to satisfy themselves as to the overall tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the common shares or ADSs, including specifically the tax consequences under Korean law, the laws of the jurisdiction of which they are resident, and any tax treaty between Korea and their country of residence, by consulting their own tax advisers.

Tax on Dividends

Dividends on the common shares or ADSs paid (whether in cash or in shares) to a Non-resident Holder will be subject to Korean withholding taxes at the rate of 22% (including local income tax) or such lower rate as is applicable under a treaty between Korea and such Non-resident Holder’s country of tax residence. Free distributions of shares representing a capitalization of certain capital surplus reserves may be subject to Korean withholding taxes.

The tax is withheld by the payer of the dividend. Since the payer is required to withhold the tax, Korean law does not entitle the person who was subject to the withholding of Korean tax to recover from the Government any part of the Korean tax withheld, even if it subsequently produces evidence that it was entitled to have tax withheld at a lower rate, except in certain limited circumstances.

Tax on Capital Gains

As a general rule, capital gains earned by Non-resident Holders upon transfer of the common shares or ADSs are subject to Korean withholding tax at the lower of (i) 11% (including local income tax) of the gross proceeds realized or (ii) 22% (including local income tax) of the net realized gains (subject to the production of satisfactory evidence of the acquisition costs and certain direct transaction costs), unless exempt from Korean income taxation under the effective Korean tax treaty with the Non-resident Holder’s country of tax residence or Korean tax law.

However, a Non-resident Holder will not be subject to Korean income taxation on capital gains realized upon the sale of the common shares through the KRX KOSPI Market if the Non-resident Holder (i) has no permanent establishment in Korea and (ii) did not or has not owned (together with any shares owned by any entity with a specified special relationship with such Non-resident Holder) 25% or more of the total issued and outstanding shares of us at any time during the calendar year in which the sale occurs and during the five calendar years prior to the calendar year in which the sale occurs.

It should be noted that capital gains earned by you (regardless of whether you have a permanent establishment in Korea) from a transfer of ADSs outside Korea will generally be exempt from Korean income taxation, provided that the ADSs are deemed to have been issued overseas. If and when an owner of the underlying common shares transfers the ADSs following the conversion of the underlying shares for ADSs, such person will not be exempt from Korean income taxation.

Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax

Korean inheritance tax is imposed upon (1) all assets (wherever located) of the deceased if at the time of his death he was domiciled in Korea and (2) all property located in Korea which passes on death (irrespective of the domicile of the deceased). Gift tax is imposed in similar circumstances to the above. The taxes are imposed if the value of the relevant property is above a certain limit and the rate varies from 10% to 50% depending on the value of the property.

Under Korean inheritance and gift tax laws, securities issued by a Korean corporation are deemed to be located in Korea irrespective of where they are physically located or by whom they are owned and consequently, the Korea inheritance and gift taxes will be imposed on transfers of the securities by inheritance or gift.

 

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Securities Transaction Tax

Securities transaction tax is imposed on the transfer of shares issued by a Korean corporation or the right to subscribe for such shares generally at the rate of 0.5% of the sales price. In the case of the transfer of shares listed on the KRX KOSPI Market (such as the common shares), the securities transaction tax is imposed generally at the rate of (i) 0.3% of the sales price of such shares (including agricultural and fishery special surtax thereon) if traded on the KRX KOSPI Market or (ii) subject to certain exceptions, 0.5% of the sales price of such shares if traded outside the KRX KOSPI Market.

Securities transaction tax or the agricultural and fishery special surtax is not applicable if (i) the shares or rights to subscribe for shares are listed on a designated foreign stock exchange and (ii) the sale of the shares takes place on such exchange.

Securities transaction tax, if applicable, must be paid by the transferor of the shares or rights, in principle. When the transfer is effected through a securities settlement company, such settlement company is generally required to withhold and pay (to the tax authority) the tax, and when such transfer is made through a financial investment company with a brokerage license only, such company is required to withhold and pay the tax. Where the transfer is effected by a Non-resident Holder without a permanent establishment in Korea, other than through a securities settlement company or a financial investment company with a brokerage license, the transferee is required to withhold the securities transaction tax. Failure to do so will result in the imposition of penalties equal to the sum of (i) between 10% to 40% of the tax amount due, depending on the nature of the improper reporting, and (ii) 10.95% per annum on the tax amount due for the default period.

Tax Treaties

Currently, Korea has income tax treaties with a number of countries, including, inter alia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, under which the rate of withholding tax on dividend and interest is reduced, generally to between 5% and 16.5% (including local income tax), and the tax on capital gains derived by a non-resident from the transfer of securities issued by a Korean company is often eliminated.

Each Non-resident Holder of common shares should inquire for itself whether it is entitled to the benefits of a tax treaty with Korea. It is the responsibility of the party claiming the benefits of a tax treaty in respect of interest, dividend, capital gains or “other income” to submit to us (or our agent), the purchaser or the financial investment company with a brokerage license, as the case may be, prior to or at the time of payment, such evidence of tax residence of the party claiming the treaty benefit as the Korean tax authorities may require in support of its claim for treaty protection. In the absence of sufficient proof, we (or our agent), the purchaser or the financial investment company with a brokerage license, as the case may be, must withhold tax at the normal rates.

Furthermore, in order for a non-resident of Korea to obtain the benefits of tax exemption on certain Korean source income (e.g., capital gains and interest) under an applicable tax treaty, Korean tax law requires such non-resident (or its agent) to submit to the payer of such Korean source income an application for a tax exemption along with a certificate of tax residency of such non-resident issued by a competent authority of the non-resident’s country of tax residence, subject to certain exceptions. The payer of such Korean source income, in turn, is required to submit such application to the relevant district tax office by the ninth day of the month following the date of the first payment of such income.

For a non-resident of Korea to obtain the benefits of treaty-reduced tax rates on certain Korean source income (e.g., capital gains and interest) under an applicable tax treaty, Korean tax law requires such non-resident (or its agents) to submit to the payer of such Korean source income an application for treaty-reduced tax rates prior to receipt of such Korean source income; provided, however, that an

 

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owner of ADSs who is a non-resident of Korea is not required to submit such application, if the Korean source income on the ADSs is paid through an account opened at the Korea Securities Depository by a foreign depository.

If Korean source income is paid to a non-resident through an overseas investment vehicle, such investment vehicle must obtain an application for tax exemption or reduced tax rates from each non-resident, who is the beneficial owner of such investment vehicle and submit to the payer of such Korean source incomes an overseas investment vehicle report, together with the applications for tax exemptions prepared by the non-resident beneficial owner. An application for tax exemption or reduced tax rates submitted by the non-resident remains effective for three years from submission, and if any material changes occur with respect to information provided in the application, an application reflecting such change must be newly submitted.

At present, Korea has not entered into any tax treaty relating to inheritance or gift tax.

United States Taxation

This summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences for a U.S. holder (as defined below) of owning our shares of common stock or ADSs. This summary applies to you only if you hold shares of common stock or ADSs as capital assets for tax purposes. This summary does not apply to you if you are a member of a class of holders subject to special rules, such as:

 

   

a dealer in securities or currencies;

 

   

a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities holdings;

 

   

a bank;

 

   

a life insurance company;

 

   

a tax-exempt organization;

 

   

a person that holds shares of common stock or ADSs that are a hedge or that are hedged against interest rate or currency risks;

 

   

a person that holds shares of common stock or ADSs as part of a straddle or conversion transaction for tax purposes;

 

   

a person whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the Dollar;

 

   

a person that owns or is deemed to own 10% or more of any class of our stock; or

 

   

a partnership that holds shares of common stock or ADSs, or a partner therein.

This summary is based on laws, treaties and regulatory interpretations in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.

Please consult your own tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and other foreign tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of shares of common stock or ADSs in your particular circumstances.

For purposes of this summary, you are a “U.S. holder” if you are a beneficial owner of a share of common stock or ADS that is:

 

   

a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a U.S. domestic corporation; or

 

   

subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis with respect to income from the share of common stock or ADS.

 

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Shares of Common Stock and ADSs

In general, if you are the beneficial owner of ADSs, you will be treated as the beneficial owner of the shares of common stock represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no gain or loss will be recognized if you exchange an ADS for the shares of common stock represented by that ADS.

Dividends

The gross amount of cash dividends that you receive (prior to deduction of Korean taxes) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as foreign source dividend income. Dividends paid in Won will be included in your income in a Dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of your (or, in the case of ADSs, the depositary’s) receipt of the dividend, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into Dollars. If such a dividend is converted into Dollars on the date of receipt, you generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the treatment of any foreign currency gain or loss on any Won received by U.S. holders that are converted into Dollars on a date subsequent to receipt.

Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the Dollar amount of dividends received by an individual U.S. holder with respect to the ADSs and common stock will be subject to taxation at a preferential rate applicable to long-term capital gains if the dividends are “qualified dividends.” Dividends paid on the ADSs and common stock will be treated as qualified dividends if (i) we are eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that the Internal Revenue Service has approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules and (ii) we were not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend is paid, and are not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”). The income tax treaty between Korea and the United States (“Treaty”) has been approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules, and we believe we are eligible for benefits under the Treaty. Based on our audited financial statements and relevant market and shareholder data, we believe that we were not treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to our 2014 or 2015 taxable year. In addition, based on our current expectations regarding the value and nature of our assets, the sources and nature of our income, and relevant market and shareholder data, we do not anticipate becoming a PFIC for our 2016 taxable year. You should consult your own tax advisers regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in the light of your own particular circumstances.

Distributions of additional shares in respect of shares of common stock or ADSs that are made as part of a pro-rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Sales and Other Dispositions

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common stock or ADSs equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and your adjusted tax basis in the common stock or ADSs. Any gain realized by a U.S. holder on the sale or other disposition of common stock or ADSs generally will be treated as U.S. source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss to the extent that the shares of common stock or ADSs sold or disposed of were held for more than one year. Your ability to offset capital losses against ordinary income is limited. Long-term capital gain recognized by an individual U.S. holder generally is subject to taxation at a reduced rate.

 

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Foreign Tax Credit Considerations

You should consult your own tax advisers to determine whether you are subject to any special rules that limit your ability to make effective use of foreign tax credits, including the possible adverse impact of failing to take advantage of benefits under the income tax treaty between the United States and Korea. If no such rules apply, you generally may claim a credit, up to any applicable reduced rates provided under the Treaty, against your U.S. federal income tax liability for Korean taxes withheld from dividends on shares of common stock or ADSs, so long as you have owned the shares of common stock or ADSs (and not entered into specified kinds of hedging transactions) for at least a 16-day period that includes the ex-dividend date. Instead of claiming a credit, you may, at your election, deduct such Korean taxes in computing your taxable income, provided that you do not elect to claim a foreign tax credit for any foreign income taxes paid or accrued for the relevant tax year and subject to generally applicable limitations under U.S. tax law. Foreign tax credits will not be allowed for withholding taxes imposed in respect of certain short-term or hedged positions in securities and may not be allowed in respect of arrangements in which your expected economic profit is insubstantial. You may not be able to use the foreign tax credit associated with any Korean withholding tax imposed on a distribution of additional shares that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax unless you can use the credit against U.S. federal income tax due on other foreign-source income.

Any Korean securities transaction tax or agriculture and fishery special tax that you pay will not be creditable for foreign tax credit purposes.

The calculation of foreign tax credits and, in the case of a U.S. holder that elects to deduct foreign taxes, the availability of deductions involves the application of complex rules that depend on a U.S. holder’s particular circumstances. You should consult your own tax advisers regarding the creditability or deductibility of such taxes.

U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Rules

Payments in respect of shares of common stock or ADSs that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries are subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding unless the holder (1) is a corporation or other exempt recipient and demonstrates this when required or (2) provides a taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding has occurred. Holders that are not U.S. persons generally are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, such a holder may be required to provide a certification of its non-U.S. status in connection with payments received within the United States or through a U.S.-related financial intermediary.

Item 10.F.  Dividends and Paying Agents

See “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Dividends” above for information concerning our dividend policies and our payment of dividends. See “Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association — Dividends” for a discussion of the process by which dividends are paid on shares of our common stock. The paying agent for payment of our dividends on ADSs in the United States is the Citibank, N.A.

Item 10.G.  Statements by Experts

Not applicable

Item 10.H.  Documents on Display

We file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC that apply to foreign private issuers. You may read

 

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and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Any filings we make electronically will be available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.

Item 10.I.  Subsidiary Information

Not applicable

Item 11.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to foreign exchange rate and interest rate risk primarily associated with underlying liabilities, and to changes in the commodity prices of principal raw materials. Following evaluation of these positions, we selectively enter into derivative financial instruments to manage the related risk exposures, primarily with respect to foreign exchange rate and interest rate risks, which are entered into with major financial institutions in order to minimize the risk of credit loss. Our market risk management policy determines the market risk tolerance level, measuring period, controlling responsibilities, management procedures, hedging period and hedging ratio very specifically. We also prohibit all speculative hedging transactions and evaluate and manage foreign exchange exposures to receivables and payables.

None of our loss exposures related to derivative contracts are unlimited, and we do not believe that our net derivative positions could result in a material loss to our profit before income tax or total equity due to significant fluctuations of major currencies against the Korean Won. Due to the nature of our derivative contracts primarily as hedging instruments that manage foreign exchange risks, net gain or net loss on derivatives transactions and valuation of derivatives are typically offset by net loss or net gain on foreign currency transaction and translation. We recorded net loss on derivatives transactions of Won 26 billion and net loss on valuation of derivatives of Won 28 billion in 2014 and net gain on valuation of derivatives of Won 83 billion and net gain on derivatives transactions of Won 23 billion in 2015.

Exchange Rate Risk

Korea is our most important market and, therefore, a substantial portion of our cash flow is denominated in Won. Most of our exports are denominated in Dollars. Japan is also an important market for us, and we derive significant cash flow denominated in Yen. We are exposed to foreign exchange risk related to foreign currency denominated liabilities and anticipated foreign exchange payments. Anticipated foreign exchange payments, which represent a substantial sum and are mostly denominated in Dollars, relate primarily to imported raw material costs and freight costs. Foreign currency denominated liabilities relate primarily to foreign currency denominated debt.

We strive to naturally offset our foreign exchange risk by matching foreign currency receivables with our foreign currency payables and our overseas subsidiaries have sought to further mitigate the adverse impact of exchange rate fluctuations by conducting business transactions in the local currency of the respective market in which the transactions occur. In particular, POSCO Daewoo’s exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates, including the Won/Dollar exchange rate, is limited because trading transactions typically involve matched purchase and sale contracts, which result in limited settlement exposure, and because POSCO Daewoo’s contracts with domestic suppliers of products for export and with domestic purchasers of imported products are generally denominated in Dollars. Although the impact of exchange rate fluctuations is partially mitigated by such strategies, we and our subsidiaries, particularly POSCO Daewoo and POSCO E&C, also periodically enter into derivative contracts, primarily foreign currency swaps and forward exchange contracts, to further hedge some of our foreign exchange risks.

 

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Our foreign currency exposure and changes in gain or loss resulting from a 10% foreign exchange rate change against the Korean Won are as follows:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2013      2014      2015  
     Increase     Decrease      Increase     Decrease      Increase     Decrease  
     (In billions of Won)  

US Dollars

       (502       502           (356       356           (166       166   

Japanese Yen

     (125     125         (96     96         (22     22   

Euro

     (4     4         (30     30         (97     97   

Interest Rate Risk

We are also subject to market risk exposure arising from changing interest rates. In particular, we are exposed to interest rate risk on our existing floating rate borrowings and on additional debt financings that we may periodically undertake for various reasons, including capital expenditures and refinancing of our existing borrowings. A rise in interest rates will increase the cost of our existing variable rate borrowings. If interest rates on borrowings with floating rates had been 1% higher or lower with all other variables held constant, the impact on the gain or loss of the applicable period would be as follows:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
             2013                      2014                      2015          
     (In billions of Won)  

Increase or decrease in annual profit and net equity

       106           102           118   

A reduction of interest rates also increases the fair value of our debt portfolio, which is primarily of a fixed interest nature. From time to time, we use, to a limited extent, interest rate swaps to reduce interest rate volatility on some of our debt and manage our interest expense by achieving a balanced mixture of floating and fixed rate debt.

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts, fair values, principal cash flows by maturity date and weighted average interest rates of our short-term and long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2015 which are sensitive to exchange rates and/or interest rates. The information is presented in Won, which is our reporting currency.

 

    Maturities  
          December 31,
2015
    December 31,
2014
 
    2016     2017     2018     2019     2020     Thereafter       Total       Fair
  Value  
      Total       Fair
  Value  
 
    (In billions of Won except rates)  

Local currency:

                   

Fixed rate

    4,533        1,082        633        599        190        1,621        8,658        8,674        8,251        8,349   

Average weighted rate (1)

    3.07     3.91     3.80     3.75     2.80     3.58     3.37       4.02  

Variable rate

    550        4        233        81        11        102        981        984        1,224        1,223   

Average weighted rate (1)

    2.96     1.86     3.01     2.21     3.57     2.87     2.91       3.03  
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

    5,083        1,086        866        680        201        1,723        9,639        9,658        9,475        9,572   
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency, principally Dollars and Yen:

                   

Fixed rate

    1,714        238        389        2        998        1,471        4,812        4,994        8,407        8,669   

Average weighted rate (1)

    2.94     3.65     1.35     0.48     4.03     4.19     3.45       2.84  

Variable rate

    5,452        492        969        63        831        2,962        10,769        10,762        9,546        9,515   

Average weighted rate (1)

    1.43     1.84     1.81     1.65     2.88     3.36     2.13       2.27  
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

    7,166        730        1,358        65        1,829        4,433        15,581        15,756        17,953        18,184   
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    12,249        1,816        2,224        745        2,030        6,156        25,220        25,414        27,428        27,756   
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Weighted average rates of the portfolio at the period end.

 

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Item 12.  Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

Not applicable

Item 12.A.  Debt Securities

Not applicable

Item 12.B.  Warrants and Rights

Not applicable

Item 12.C.  Other Securities

Not applicable

Item 12.D.  American Depositary Shares

Fees and Charges

We switched our depositary from The Bank of New York Mellon to Citibank, N.A. in July 2013. Holders of our ADSs are required to pay the following service fees to the depositary:

 

Services

  

Fees

Issuance of ADSs upon deposit of shares

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs issued

Delivery of deposited shares against surrender of ADSs

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs surrendered

Distributions of cash dividends or other cash distributions

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs held

Distribution of ADSs pursuant to (i) stock dividends or other free stock distributions, or (ii) exercise of rights to purchase additional ADSs

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs held

Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs held

General depositary services

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs held

Holders of our ADSs are also responsible for paying certain fees and expenses incurred by the depositary such as:

 

   

fees for the transfer and registration of shares charged by the registrar and transfer agent for the shares in Korea (i.e., upon deposit and withdrawal of shares);

 

   

expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into Dollars;

 

   

expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery of securities;

 

   

taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;

 

   

fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements; and

 

   

fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or servicing of shares on deposit.

Depositary fees payable upon the issuance and surrender of ADSs are typically paid to the depositary by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) receiving the newly issued ADSs from the depositary and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) delivering the ADSs to the depositary for surrender. The brokers in turn charge these fees to their clients. Depositary fees payable in connection with distributions of cash or securities to ADS holders and the depositary services fee are charged by the depositary to the holders of record of ADSs as of the applicable ADS record date.

 

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The depositary fees payable for cash distributions are generally deducted from the cash being distributed. In the case of distributions other than cash (i.e., stock dividend, rights), the depositary charges the applicable fee to the ADS record date holders concurrent with the distribution. In the case of ADSs registered in the name of the investor (whether certificated or uncertificated in direct registration), the depositary sends invoices to the applicable record date ADS holders. In the case of ADSs held in brokerage and custodian accounts (via the Korea Securities Depositary, or KSD), the depositary generally collects its fees through the systems provided by KSD (whose nominee is the registered holder of the ADSs held in KSD) from the brokers and custodians holding ADSs in their KSD accounts. The brokers and custodians who hold their clients’ ADSs in KSD accounts in turn charge their clients’ accounts the amount of the fees paid to the depositary.

In the event of refusal to pay the depositary fees, the depositary may, under the terms of the deposit agreement, refuse the requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the depositary fees from any distribution to be made to such holder of ADSs.

The fees and charges that holders of our ADSs may be required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by us and by the depositary. Holders of our ADSs will receive prior notice of such changes.

Fees and Payments from the Depositary to Us

In 2015, we received the following payments from the depositary, net of tax:

 

Reimbursement of expenses for preparation of SEC filing and submission:

   $ 109,663   

Reimbursement of listing fees:

   $ 133,685   

Reimbursement of legal fees:

   $ 55,443   

Reimbursement of proxy process expenses (printing, postage and distribution):

   $ 312,276   

Contributions toward our investor relations efforts:

   $ 121,813   

Miscellaneous:

   $ 37,119   
  

 

 

 

Total:

   $ 769,999   
  

 

 

 

In addition, as part of its service to us, the depositary waives its fees for the standard costs associated with the administration of the ADS facility, associated operating expenses, investor relations advice and access to an internet-based tool used in our investor relations activities.

PART II

Item 13.  Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

Not applicable

Item 14.  Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable

Item 15.  Controls and Procedures

a. Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management has evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of December 31, 2015. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including

 

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the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

b. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, and under the supervision of, our principal executive, principal operating and principal financial officers, and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management has completed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 based on criteria in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015.

c. Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. (“KPMG Samjong”), an independent registered public accounting firm, which audited our consolidated financial statements as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2015, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which report is included in Item 18 of this Form 20-F.

d. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Our adoption of Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission did not have, and is not reasonably likely to have, any material effect on our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Item 16. [Reserved]

Item 16.A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The board of directors has approved the members of our audit committee. Kim, Il-Sup is an audit committee financial expert and is independent within the meaning of applicable SEC rules.

Item 16.B. Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics, as defined in Item 16B. of Form 20-F under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our code of business conduct and ethics, called Code of Conduct, applies to our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as well as to our directors, other officers and employees. Our Code of Conduct is available on our web site at www.posco.com. If we amend the provisions of our Code of Conduct that apply to our chief executive officer or chief financial officer and persons performing similar functions, or if we grant any waiver of such provisions, we will disclose such amendment or waiver on our web site at the same address.

Item 16.C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table sets forth the fees billed to us by our independent auditor, KPMG, in 2013, 2014 and 2015:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
         2013              2014              2015      
     (In millions of Won)  

Audit fees

   5,356       5,481       5,491   

Audit-related fees

     90                   

Tax fees

     1,110         1,082         974   

Other fees

     25         16         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fees

   6,581       6,579       6,468   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Audit fees in 2015 as set forth in the above table are the aggregate fees billed by KPMG in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and the annual financial statements of other related companies and review of interim financial statements.

Audit-related fees in 2013 as set forth in the above table are the aggregate fees billed by KPMG for comfort letter services related to our securities offering.

Tax fees in 2015 as set forth in the above table are fees billed by KPMG for our tax compliance and tax planning, as well as compliance related to transfer pricing.

Other fees in 2015 as set forth in the above table are fees billed by KPMG primarily in relation to certifications in connection with forward contracts.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Our audit committee has not established pre-approval policies and procedures for the engagement of our independent auditors for services. Our audit committee expressly approves on a case-by-case basis any engagement of our independent auditors for audit and non-audit services provided to our subsidiaries or us.

Item 16.D.  Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Not applicable

 

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Item 16.E.  Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

The following table sets forth the repurchases of common shares by us or any affiliated purchasers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:

 

Period

   Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
     Average Price
Paid Per Share
(In Won)
     Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
     Maximum
Number of
Shares
that May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans
 

January 1 to January 31

                               

February 1 to February 29

                               

March 1 to March 31

                               

April 1 to April 30

                               

May 1 to May 31

                               

June 1 to June 30

                               

July 1 to July 31

                               

August 1 to August 31

                               

September 1 to September 30

                               

October 1 to October 31

                               

November 1 to November 30

                               

December 1 to December 31

                               
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

                               
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Item 16.F. Change in Registrants Certifying Accountant

Not applicable

Item 16.G. Corporate Governance

Pursuant to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange applicable to foreign private issuers like us that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, we are required to disclose significant differences between the New York Stock Exchange’s corporate governance standards and those that we follow under Korean law and in accordance with our own internal procedures. The following is a summary of such significant differences.

 

NYSE Corporate Governance Standards

  

POSCO’s Corporate Governance Practice

Director Independence   
Listed companies must have a majority of independent directors   

Our articles of incorporation provide that our board of directors must comprise no less than a majority of Outside Directors. Our Outside Directors must meet the criteria for outside directorship set forth under the Korean Securities and Exchange Act.

 

The majority of our board of directors is independent (as defined in accordance with the New York Stock Exchange’s standards), and 7 out of 12 directors are Outside Directors. Under our articles of incorporation, we may have up to five Inside Directors and seven Outside Directors.

Nomination/Corporate Governance Committee   
A nomination/corporate governance committee of independent directors is required. The committee must have a charter that addresses the purpose, responsibilities (including development of corporate governance guidelines) and annual performance evaluation of the committee    We have not established a separate nomination corporate governance committee. However, we maintain a Director Candidate Recommendation Committee composed of three Outside Directors and one Inside Director.

 

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NYSE Corporate Governance Standards

  

POSCO’s Corporate Governance Practice

Compensation Committee

  

A compensation committee of independent directors is required. The committee must have a charter that addresses the purpose, responsibilities and annual performance evaluation of the committee. The charter must be made available on the company’s website. In addition, in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules adopted pursuant to Section 952 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the New York Stock Exchange listing standards were amended to expand the factors relevant in determining whether a committee member has a relationship with the company that will materially affect that member’s duties to the compensation committee.

 

Additionally, the committee may obtain or retain the advice of a compensation adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to determining that adviser’s independence from management

   We maintain an Evaluation and Compensation Committee composed of four Outside Directors.

Executive Session

  
Non-management directors must meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. Independent directors should meet alone in an executive session at least once a year    Our Outside Directors hold meetings solely attended by Outside Directors in accordance with operation guidelines of our board of directors.

Audit Committee

  
Listed companies must have an audit committee that satisfies the independence and other requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. All members must be independent. The committee must have a charter addressing the committee’s purpose, an annual performance evaluation of the committee, and the duties and responsibilities of the committee. The charter must be made available on the company’s website    We maintain an Audit Committee comprised of three Outside Directors who meet the applicable independence criteria set forth under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
Audit Committee Additional Requirements   
Listed companies must have an audit committee that is composed of at least three directors.    Our Audit Committee has three members, as described above.
Shareholder Approval of Equity Compensation Plan   
Listed companies must allow their shareholders to exercise their voting rights with respect to any material revision to the company’s equity compensation plan   

We currently have an Employee Stock Ownership Program.

We previously provided a stock options program for officers and directors, as another equity compensation plan. However, during our annual shareholders’ meeting in February 2006, our shareholders resolved to terminate the stock option program and amended our articles of incorporation to delete the provision allowing grant of stock options to officers and directors. Consequently, since February 24, 2006, we have not granted stock options to officers and directors. Matters related to the Employee Stock Ownership Program are not subject to shareholders’ approval under Korean law.

Corporate Governance Guidelines   
Listed companies must adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines    We have adopted a Corporate Governance Charter setting forth our practices with respect to relevant corporate governance matters. Our Corporate Governance Charter is in compliance with Korean law but does not meet all requirements established by the New York Stock Exchange for U.S. companies listed on the exchange. A copy of our Corporate Governance Charter is available on our website at www.posco.com.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics   
Listed companies must adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers    We have adopted a Code of Conduct for all directors, officers and employees. A copy of our Code of Conduct is available on our website at www.posco.com.

 

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Item 16.H. Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable

PART III

Item 17. Financial Statements

Not applicable

Item 18. Financial Statements

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp., on Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-1   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp., on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

     F-2   

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2014 and 2015

     F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

     F-6   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

     F-9   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-11   

Item 19. Exhibits

 

  1.1          Articles of Incorporation of POSCO (English translation)
  2.1          Form of Common Stock Certificate (including English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement No. 333-189473)*
  2.2          Form of Deposit Agreement (including Form of American Depositary Receipts) (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 33-84318) on Form F-6)*
  8.1          List of consolidated subsidiaries
  12.1          Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  12.2          Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  13.1          Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

* Filed previously

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

POSCO:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of POSCO and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of POSCO’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of POSCO and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of POSCO’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated April 27, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of POSCO’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp.

Seoul, Korea

April 27, 2016

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

POSCO:

We have audited POSCO’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. POSCO’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on POSCO’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, POSCO maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control —Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statements of financial position of POSCO and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, and our report dated April 27, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp.

Seoul, Korea

April 27, 2016

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

As of December 31, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

     Notes      December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
 
     (in millions of Won)  

Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

     4,5,23       3,811,202         4,870,185   

Trade accounts and notes receivable, net

     6,17,23,29,37         11,664,587         9,575,264   

Other receivables, net

     7,23         1,956,216         1,679,879   

Other short-term financial assets

     8,23,37         1,462,920         3,910,387   

Inventories

     9         11,173,343         8,566,882   

Current income tax assets

     35         36,147         33,765   

Assets held for sale

     10         2,127,087         57,281   

Other current assets

     16         976,425         808,252   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

        33,207,927         29,501,895   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term trade accounts and notes receivable, net

     6,23         79,336         120,338   

Other receivables, net

     7,23         1,144,160         863,258   

Other long-term financial assets

     8,23         2,455,900         2,341,460   

Investments in associates and joint ventures

     11         4,060,507         3,945,333   

Investment property, net

     13         1,055,592         1,084,292   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     14         35,241,195         34,522,855   

Intangible assets, net

     15         6,884,989         6,405,754   

Deferred tax assets

     35         1,206,408         1,333,785   

Other long-term assets

     16         507,549         629,000   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

        52,635,636         51,246,075   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

      85,843,563         80,747,970   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, Continued

As of December 31, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

     Notes      December 31,
2014
    December 31,
2015
 
     (in millions of Won)  

Liabilities

       

Trade accounts and notes payable

     23,37       3,950,786        3,125,348   

Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term borrowings

     4,17,23         12,195,484        12,371,032   

Other payables

     18,23         2,194,713        2,129,093   

Other short-term financial liabilities

     19,23,37         111,637        202,117   

Current income tax liabilities

     35         453,613        377,962   

Liabilities of disposal group held for sale

     10         590,982        34,202   

Provisions

     20         150,030        102,320   

Other current liabilities

     22,29         2,727,793        2,011,452   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

        22,375,038        20,353,526   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term trade accounts and notes payable

     23,37         88,469        11,098   

Long-term borrowings, excluding current installments

     4,17,23         15,232,773        12,849,199   

Other payables

     18,23         169,986        134,470   

Other long-term financial liabilities

     19,23         91,095        54,696   

Defined benefit liabilities, net

     21         290,325        182,025   

Deferred tax liabilities

     35         1,832,260        1,676,658   

Long-term provisions

     20         223,239        221,692   

Other long-term liabilities

     22         282,982        251,405   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

        18,211,129        15,381,243   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

        40,586,167        35,734,769   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity

       

Share capital

     24         482,403        482,403   

Capital surplus

     24         1,083,718        1,393,079   

Hybrid bonds

     25         996,919        996,919   

Reserves

     26         (408,773     (594,756

Treasury shares

     27         (1,534,457     (1,533,898

Retained earnings

        40,937,148        40,461,496   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity attributable to owners of the controlling company

        41,556,958        41,205,243   

Non-controlling interests

     25         3,700,438        3,807,958   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

        45,257,396        45,013,201   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

       85,843,563        80,747,970   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

 

     Notes      2013     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won, except per share information)  

Revenue

     28,29,37       61,765,743        64,758,625        58,522,268   

Cost of sales

     29,31,34,37         (54,913,816     (57,465,485     (52,018,434
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

        6,851,927        7,293,140        6,503,834   

Selling and administrative expenses

     30,34          

Administrative expenses

     31         (2,231,805     (2,309,756     (2,395,248

Selling expenses

        (1,632,120     (1,760,118     (1,728,956

Other operating income and expenses

     32,37          

Other operating income

        229,073        269,406        549,048   

Other operating expenses

     34         (650,806     (979,674     (1,442,298
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

        2,566,269        2,512,998        1,486,380   

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees, net

     11         (179,809     (299,893     (506,054

Finance income and costs

     23,33          

Finance income

        2,380,838        2,396,762        2,557,073   

Finance costs

        (2,829,253     (3,221,987     (3,387,054
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before income taxes

        1,938,045        1,387,880        150,345   

Income tax expense

     35         (589,029     (823,841     (266,560
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss)

        1,349,016        564,039        (116,215

Other comprehensive income (loss)

         

Items that will never be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss :

         

Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans

     21         6,224        (75,101     41,954   

Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss :

         

Capital adjustment arising from investments in equity-method investees

        (183,836     (45,754     (82,509

Net changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investments

     23         412,346        (333,891     (187,854

Foreign currency translation differences

        (220,464     (836     66,280   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

        14,270        (455,582     (162,129
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

      1,363,286        108,457        (278,344
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss) attributable to :

         

Owners of the controlling company

      1,370,878        632,706        171,494   

Non-controlling interests

        (21,862     (68,667     (287,709
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss)

      1,349,016        564,039        (116,215
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to :

         

Owners of the controlling company

      1,438,744        181,525        23,864   

Non-controlling interests

        (75,458     (73,068     (302,208
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

      1,363,286        108,457        (278,344
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share (in Won)

     36         17,338        7,514        1,731   

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

    Attributable to owners of the controlling company     Non-controlling
interests
    Total  
    Share
capital
    Capital
surplus
    Hybrid
bonds
    Reserves     Treasury
shares
    Retained
earnings
    Sub total      
    (in millions of Won)  

Balance as of January 1, 2013

  482,403        1,104,814               (88,150     (2,391,406     40,314,982        39,422,643        2,971,591        42,394,234   

Comprehensive income (loss):

                 

Profit (loss)

                                       1,370,878        1,370,878        (21,862     1,349,016   

Other comprehensive income (loss) Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans, net of tax

                                       3,039        3,039        3,185        6,224   

Capital adjustment arising from investments in equity-method investees, net of tax

                         (166,787                   (166,787     (17,049     (183,836

Net changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investments, net of tax

                         412,453                      412,453        (107     412,346   

Foreign currency translation differences, net of tax

                         (180,839                   (180,839     (39,625     (220,464
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

                         64,827               1,373,917        1,438,744        (75,458     1,363,286   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with owners of the controlling company, Recognized directly in equity:

                 

Year-end dividends

                                       (463,467     (463,467     (30,544     (494,011

Interim dividends

                                       (154,490     (154,490            (154,490

Changes in subsidiaries

                                                     40,506        40,506   

Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries

           (31,417                                 (31,417     373,963        342,546   

Issue of hybrid bonds

                  996,919                             996,919        498,468        1,495,387   

Interest of hybrid bonds

                                       (24,161     (24,161     (6,228     (30,389

Disposal of treasury shares

           5,348                      812,282               817,630               817,630   

Others

           (479            247               6,851        6,619        (636     5,983   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total transactions with owners of the controlling company

           (26,548     996,919        247        812,282        (635,267     1,147,633        875,529        2,023,162   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

  482,403        1,078,266        996,919        (23,076     (1,579,124     41,053,632        42,009,020        3,771,662        45,780,682   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, Continued

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

    Attributable to owners of the controlling company     Non-controlling
interests
    Total  
    Share
capital
    Capital
surplus
    Hybrid
bond
    Reserves     Treasury
shares
    Retained
earnings
    Sub total      
    (in millions of Won)  

Balance as of January 1, 2014

  482,403        1,078,266        996,919        (23,076     (1,579,124     41,053,632        42,009,020        3,771,662        45,780,682   

Comprehensive income (loss):

                 

Profit (loss)

                                       632,706        632,706        (68,667     564,039   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

                 

Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans, net of tax

                                       (65,152     (65,152     (9,949     (75,101

Capital adjustment arising from investments in equity-method investees, net of tax

                         (50,920                   (50,920     5,166        (45,754

Net changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investments, net of tax

                         (335,626                   (335,626     1,735        (333,891

Foreign currency translation differences, net of tax

                         517                      517        (1,353     (836
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

                         (386,029            567,554        181,525        (73,068     108,457   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with owners of the controlling company, Recognized directly in equity:

                 

Year-end dividends

                                       (478,702     (478,702     (32,887     (511,589

Interim dividends

                                       (159,568     (159,568     (76,854     (236,422

Changes in subsidiaries

                                                     91,551        91,551   

Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries

           (9,401                                 (9,401     44,265        34,864   

Interest of hybrid bonds

                                       (43,600     (43,600     (26,175     (69,775

Disposal of treasury shares

           14,576                      44,667               59,243               59,243   

Others

           277               332               (2,168     (1,559     1,944        385   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total transactions with owners of the controlling company

           5,452               332        44,667        (684,038     (633,587     1,844        (631,743
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

  482,403        1,083,718        996,919        (408,773     (1,534,457     40,937,148        41,556,958        3,700,438        45,257,396   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, Continued

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

    Attributable to owners of the controlling company     Non-controlling
interests
    Total  
    Share
capital
    Capital
surplus
    Hybrid
bond
    Reserves     Treasury
shares
    Retained
earnings
    Sub total      
    (in millions of Won)  

Balance as of January 1, 2015

  482,403        1,083,718        996,919        (408,773     (1,534,457     40,937,148        41,556,958        3,700,438        45,257,396   

Comprehensive income (loss):

                 

Profit (loss)

                                       171,494        171,494        (287,709     (116,215

Other comprehensive income (loss)

                 

Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans, net of tax

                                       38,771        38,771        3,183        41,954   

Capital adjustment arising from investments in equity-method investees, net of tax

                         (81,418                   (81,418     (1,091     (82,509

Net changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investments, net of tax

                         (183,077                   (183,077     (4,777     (187,854

Foreign currency translation differences, net of tax

                         78,094                      78,094        (11,814     66,280   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

                         (186,401            210,265        23,864        (302,208     (278,344
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with owners of the controlling company, Recognized directly in equity:

                 

Year-end dividends

                                       (479,958     (479,958     (32,410     (512,368

Interim dividends

                                       (159,987     (159,987     (67,700     (227,687

Changes in subsidiaries

                                                     (311,548     (311,548

Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries

           310,485                                    310,485        844,769        1,155,254   

Interest of hybrid bonds

                                       (43,574     (43,574     (24,187     (67,761

Disposal of treasury shares

           (35                   559               524               524   

Others

           (1,089            418               (2,398     (3,069     804        (2,265
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total transactions with owners of the controlling company

           309,361               418        559        (685,917     (375,579     409,728        34,149   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2015

  482,403        1,393,079        996,919        (594,756     (1,533,898     40,461,496        41,205,243        3,807,958        45,013,201   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

     Notes      2013     2014     2015  
            (in millions of Won)  

Cash flows from operating activities

         

Profit (loss)

      1,349,016        564,039        (116,215

Adjustments for:

         

Depreciation

        2,505,536        2,894,609        2,836,663   

Amortization

        180,014        343,940        381,583   

Finance income

        (1,012,281     (1,046,718     (1,165,340

Finance costs

        1,585,778        1,801,015        1,852,862   

Income tax expense

        589,029        823,841        266,560   

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

        (14,177     (15,039     (22,730

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

        121,133        50,006        101,732   

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment

        9,742        64,833        136,269   

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees

        179,809        299,893        506,054   

Costs for defined benefit plans

        247,748        237,886        245,402   

Contribution to provisions

        111,364        245,470        86,903   

Bad debt expenses

        201,185        205,306        337,235   

Loss on valuation of inventories

        49,172        41,713        152,952   

Impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets

        125,316        55,220        161,412   

Gain on disposals of assets held for sale

        (101,611     (48,232     (227,956

Loss on disposals of assets held for sale

        26,498        14        190,357   

Impairment loss on assets held for sale

        1,814        17,205        133,547   

Others, net

        4,581        56,876        (21,643
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        4,810,650        6,027,838        5,951,862   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

     39         (108,300     (1,853,782     2,784,452   

Interest received

        227,989        238,817        198,193   

Interest paid

        (797,316     (882,183     (831,566

Dividends received

        193,008        114,694        237,715   

Income taxes paid

        (816,912     (797,324     (622,612
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

      4,858,135        3,412,099        7,601,829   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

     40          

Acquisitions of short-term financial instruments

      (4,449,312     (3,096,602     (13,037,990

Proceeds from disposal of short-term financial instruments

        3,901,527        4,635,120        10,595,379   

Acquisition of long-term financial instruments

        (123,703     (24,683     (34,733

Increase in loans

        (575,343     (361,671     (295,689

Collection of loans

        417,971        76,717        308,906   

Acquisitions of available-for-sale investments

        (309,469     (75,582     (87,824

Proceeds from disposal of available-for-sale investments

        269,363        252,056        308,161   

Acquisitions of investments of equity-accounted investees

        (1,076,763     (702,989     (77,155

Proceeds from disposal of investments of equity-accounted investees

        89,533        21,359        11,813   

Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment

        (6,569,613     (3,505,549     (2,560,244

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

        82,153        62,829        59,031   

Acquisitions of investment property

        (20,945     (406,603     (61,478

Proceeds from disposal of investment property

        8,464        43,167        1,120   

Acquisitions of intangible assets

        (543,666     (343,804     (289,148

Proceeds from disposal of intangible assets

        5,429        9,043        12,832   

Proceeds from disposal of assets held for sale

        126,809        1,291        127,133   

Cash received from (paid in) acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

        5,729        (388,578       

Cash received from disposal of business, net of cash transferred

        5,962        48,949        469,576   

Other, net

        4,204        10,348        15,634   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

        (8,751,670     (3,745,182     (4,534,676
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

     Notes      2013     2014     2015  
            (in millions of Won)  

Cash flows from financing activities

     40          

Proceeds from borrowings

        5,098,702        2,522,495        1,779,097   

Repayment of borrowings

        (2,845,957     (2,802,150     (3,509,970

Proceeds from (repayment of) short-term borrowings, net

        86,475        1,037,912        (846,230

Payment of cash dividends

        (648,580     (677,000     (822,570

Proceeds from issuance of hybrid bonds

        1,495,387                 

Payment of interest of hybrid bonds

        (26,088     (69,713     (67,725

Capital contribution from non-controlling interests and proceeds from disposal of subsidiary while maintaining control

        385,122        54,066        1,260,053   

Capital deduction from non-controlling interests and additional acquisition of interests in subsidiaries

        (22,078            (10,810

Proceeds from disposal of treasury shares

        14,019        43,188          

Other, net

        (4,666     26,314        (23,446
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

        3,532,336        135,112        (2,241,601
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held

        (110,765     11,545        23,496   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

        (471,964     (186,426     849,048   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

        4,680,526        4,208,562        4,022,136   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

     5       4,208,562        4,022,136        4,871,184   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

1. General Information

General information about POSCO, its 42 domestic subsidiaries including POSCO Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., 171 foreign subsidiaries including POSCO America Corporation (collectively “the Company”) and its 98 associates and joint ventures are as follows:

(a) The controlling company

POSCO, the controlling company, was incorporated on April 1, 1968, under the Commercial Code of the Republic of Korea to manufacture and sell steel rolled products and plates in the domestic and foreign markets.

The shares of POSCO have been listed on the Korea Exchange since 1988. POSCO owns and operates two steel plants (Pohang and Gwangyang) and one office in Korea and it also operates internationally through five of its overseas liaison offices.

As of December 31, 2015, POSCO’s shareholders are as follows:

 

Shareholder’s name

   Number of shares      Ownership (%)  

National Pension Service

     7,885,065         9.04   

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (*1)

     4,394,712         5.04   

Pohang University of Science and Technology

     1,905,000         2.18   

Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd

     1,862,625         2.14   

KB Financial Group Inc. and subsidiaries (*2)

     1,828,207         2.10   

Others

     69,311,226         79.50   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     87,186,835         100.00   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation owns American Depository Receipts (ADRs) of POSCO, each of which represents 0.25 share of POSCO’s common share which has par value of 5,000 per share.

 

(*2) Includes shares held by subsidiaries pursuant to Articles of Incorporation.

As of December 31, 2015, the shares of POSCO are listed on the Korea Exchange, while its depository shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchanges.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(b) Consolidated subsidiaries

Details of consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

        Ownership (%)      
        December 31, 2014     December 31, 2015    
   

Principal operations

  POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region

[Domestic]

               

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION., LTD.

  Engineering and construction     89.53               89.53        52.80               52.80      Pohang

POSCO Processing & Service

  Steel sales and trading     96.01               96.01        96.01               96.01      Seoul

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

  Coated steel manufacturing     56.87               56.87        56.87               56.87      Pohang

POSCO ICT

  Computer hardware and software distribution     65.38               65.38        65.38               65.38      Seongnam

POSCO Research Institute

  Economic research and consulting     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      Seoul

POSMATE

  Business facility maintenance     57.25        11.05        68.30        57.25        11.05        68.30      Suncheon

POSCO A&C

  Architecture and consulting     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      Seoul

POSCO Capital Co., Ltd

  Investment in venture companies     95.00               95.00        95.00               95.00      Pohang

eNtoB Corporation

  Electronic commerce            62.38        62.38        7.50        53.63        61.13      Seoul

POSCO CHEMTECH

  Refractories manufacturing and sales     60.00               60.00        60.00               60.00      Pohang

POSCO-Terminal Co., Ltd.

  Transporting and warehousing     51.00               51.00        51.00               51.00      Gwangyang

POSCO M-TECH

  Packing materials manufacturing and sales     48.85               48.85        48.85               48.85      Pohang

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

  Generation of electricity     89.02               89.02        89.02               89.02      Seoul

POSCO TMC Co., Ltd.

  Component manufacturing            74.56        74.56               74.56        74.56      Cheonan

POSCO NIPPON STEEL RHF JOINT VENTURE. CO., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     70.00               70.00        70.00               70.00      Pohang

MegaAsset Co., Ltd.

  Real estate rental and sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Cheonan

POSCO Engineering CO., Ltd

  Construction and engineering service            95.56        95.56               95.56        95.56      Incheon

POSCO AST

  Steel manufacturing and sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Ansan

POSHIMETAL Co., Ltd.

  Ferromanganese manufacturing and sales     65.00               65.00        100.00               100.00      Gwangyang

Poscoene

  Refuse derived fuel and power generation            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Seoul

POSCO Humans

  Construction     90.30               90.30        90.30               90.30      Pohang

Mapo Hibroad Parking co., Ltd.

  Construction            70.99        70.99               70.99        70.99      Seoul

Steel Processing and Fabricating Center Co., LTD

  Steel manufacturing            84.89        84.89               84.89        84.89      Gwangyang

BLUE O&M Co., Ltd.

  Engineering service            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Pohang

Busan E&E Co., Ltd.

  Refuse derived fuel and power generation     70.00               70.00        70.00               70.00      Busan

POSCO Family Strategy Fund

  Investment in venture companies     60.79        39.21        100.00        69.91        30.09        100.00      Pohang

Daewoo International Corporation

  Trading, energy & resource development and others     60.31               60.31        60.31               60.31      Seoul

POSCO LED Co., Ltd.

  LED lightening     16.70        63.30        80.00        16.70        63.30        80.00      Seongnam

 

F-12


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      
        December 31, 2014     December 31, 2015    
   

Principal operations

  POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region

Pohang Scrap Recycling Distribution Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel processing and sales            51.00        51.00               51.00        51.00      Pohang

PSC Energy Global Co., Ltd.

  Investment in energy industry            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Pohang

Suncheon Eco Trans Co., Ltd

  Train manufacturing and management     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      Suncheon

Tamra Offshore Wind Power Co., Ltd

  Cogeneration plant operation            64.00        64.00               64.00        64.00      Jeju

IT Engineering

  Automotive engineering service            17.00        17.00               17.00        17.00      Seoul

Future Creation Fund Postech Early Stage account

  Investment in venture companies            40.00        40.00               40.00        40.00      Seoul

POSCO Green Gas Technology Co., Ltd

  Gas production and sales     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      Gwangyang

POSCO WOMAN’S FUND

  Investment in venture companies            40.00        40.00               40.00        40.00      Seoul

POSPOWER Co., Ltd.

  Other generation            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Samchuck

Songdo Posco family Housing

  House manufacturing and management            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Incheon

Posco Group University

  Education service and real estate business                          100.00               100.00      Incheon

HOTEL LAONZENA

  Hotel business                                 100.00        100.00      Daegu

Growth Ladder POSCO K-Growth Global Fund

  Investment in venture companies                                 50.00        50.00      Pohang

2015 POSCO New technology II Fund

  Investment in venture companies                                 25.00        25.00      Pohang

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.)

  Special steel manufacturing and sales     72.09               72.09                           Changwon

POSFINE Co., Ltd.

  Non-metallic mineral manufacturing     69.23               69.23                           Gwangyang

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

  Industry plant construction     60.84        13.10        73.94                           Pohang

POREKA Co., Ltd.

  Advertising business     100.00               100.00                           Seoul

New Altec Co., Ltd

  Aluminum manufacturing and sales            60.10        60.10                           Incheon

PONUTech Co., Ltd.

  Nuclear power plant design and repair service            100.00        100.00                           Ulsan

POS-HiAL

  High purity alumina manufacturing            51.00        51.00                           Yeongam

Keystone-HYUNDAI SECURITIES NO. 1. Private Equity Fund

  Investment in new regeneration energy            55.12        55.12                           Seoul

Chun Sa wind

  Other generation            100.00        100.00                           Seoul

[Foreign]

               

POSCO America Corporation

  Steel trading     99.45        0.55        100.00        99.45        0.55        100.00      USA

POSCO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

  Iron ore sales & mine development     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      Australia

POSCO Canada Ltd.

  Coal sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Canada

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

  Steel and raw material trading     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      China

POSCO-CTPC Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     56.60        43.40        100.00        56.60        43.40        100.00      China

POSCO-JWPC Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing            89.18        89.18               89.18        89.18      Japan

POSCO E&C Vietnam Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Vietnam

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

  Stainless steel manufacturing     58.60        23.88        82.48        58.60        23.88        82.48      China

 

F-13


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      
        December 31, 2014     December 31, 2015    
   

Principal operations

  POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region

POSCO(Guangdong) Steel Co., Ltd.

  Plating steel sheet manufacturing     87.04        10.04        97.08        87.04        10.04        97.08      China

POSCO (Thailand) Company Limited

  Steel manufacturing     85.62        14.38        100.00        85.62        14.38        100.00      Thailand

Myanmar POSCO Steel Co., Ltd

  Zinc relief manufacturing     70.00               70.00        70.00               70.00      Myanmar

POSCO Investment Co., Ltd.

  Financial Service     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      China

POSCO-MKPC SDN BHD

  Steel manufacturing     44.69        25.31        70.00        44.69        25.31        70.00      Malaysia

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

  Stainless steel manufacturing     70.00        30.00        100.00        70.00        30.00        100.00      China

POSCO(Suzhou) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     90.00        10.00        100.00        90.00        10.00        100.00      China

POSEC Hawaii, Inc.

  Real estate Industry            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      USA

POSCO-China Qingdao Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

POS-ORE PTY LTD

  Iron ore sales & mine development            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Australia

POSCO-China Holding Corp.

  Holding company     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      China

POSCO JAPAN Co., Ltd.

  Steel trading     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      Japan

POS-CD PTY LTD

  Coal sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Australia

POS-GC PTY LTD

  Coal sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Australia

POSCO-India Private Limited

  Steel manufacturing     99.99               99.99        99.99               99.99      India

POSCO-India Pune Processing Center. Pvt. Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     65.00               65.00        65.00               65.00      India

POSCO-JEPC Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing            88.02        88.02               88.02        88.02      Japan

POSCO-CFPC Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     39.60        60.40        100.00        39.60        60.40        100.00      China

POSCO E&C CHINA Co., Ltd.

  Construction and civil engineering            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

POSCO MPPC S.A. de C.V.

  Steel manufacturing            95.00        95.00               95.00        95.00      Mexico

Zhangjiagang Pohang Port Co., Ltd.

  Loading and unloading service            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

Qingdao Pos-metal Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

POSCO-VIETNAM Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     85.00               85.00        100.00               100.00      Vietnam

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

  Automotive steel sheet manufacturing     84.84        15.16        100.00        84.84        15.16        100.00      Mexico

POSCO India Delhi Steel Processing Centre Private Limited

  Steel manufacturing     66.40        10.00        76.40        66.40        10.00        76.40      India

POSCAN Elkview

  Coal sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Canada

POSCO-Poland Wroclaw Processing Center Sp. z o. o.

  Steel manufacturing     60.00               60.00        60.00               60.00      Poland

POS-NP PTY LTD

  Coal sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Australia

POSCO-Vietnam Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     87.07        4.98        92.05        87.07        4.98        92.05      Vietnam

POSCO(Chongqing) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     90.00        10.00        100.00        90.00        10.00        100.00      China

SUZHOU POSCO-CORE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

  Component manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

POSCO-Malaysia SDN. BHD.

  Steel manufacturing     81.79        13.63        95.42        81.79        13.63        95.42      Malaysia

POS-Minerals Corporation

  Mine development & sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      USA

POSCO(Wuhu) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     68.57        31.43        100.00        68.57        31.43        100.00      China

POSCO Engineering and Construction India Private Limited

  Construction and engineering            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      India

POSCO E&C SMART S DE RL DE CV

  Construction and engineering            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Mexico

 

F-14


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      
        December 31, 2014     December 31, 2015    
   

Principal operations

  POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region

POSCO Philippine Manila Processing Center, Inc.

  Steel manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Philippines

POSCO China Suzhou Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     30.00        70.00        100.00        30.00        70.00        100.00      China

POSCO Gulf SFC LLC

  Steel manufacturing            81.93        81.93               81.93        81.93      UAE

Dalian POSCO ICT-DONGFANG

  Electric control equipment              

Engineering Co., Ltd.

  manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

SANPU TRADING Co., Ltd.

  Raw material trading            70.00        70.00               70.00        70.00      China

Zhangjiagang BLZ Pohang International Trading

  Steel transit trading            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

POSCO MEXICO HUMAN TECH S.A. de C.V.

  Service     80.00        20.00        100.00        80.00        20.00        100.00      Mexico

POSCO MESDC S.A. DE C.V.

  Steel product sales            56.80        56.80               56.80        56.80      Mexico

POSCO ICT-China

  IT service and DVR business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

Pos-Sea Pte Ltd

  Steel transit trading            67.54        67.54               67.54        67.54      Singapore

POSCO Europe Steel Distribution Center

  Steel product sales     50.00        20.00        70.00        50.00        20.00        70.00      Slovenia

POSCO ENGINEERING (THAILAND) CO.,

  Chemical plant            48.90        48.90               100.00        100.00      Thailand

POSCO VST CO., LTD.

  Stainless steel sheet manufacturing and sales     95.65               95.65        95.65               95.65      Vietnam

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

  Steel manufacturing     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      India

POSCO India Chennai Steel Processing Centre Pvt. Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      India

POSCO TNPC Otomotiv Celik San. Ve Tic. A.S

  Steel manufacturing     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      Turkey

POSCO Vietnam Ha Noi Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     70.00               70.00        70.00               70.00      Vietnam

POSCO(Liaoning) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     90.00        10.00        100.00        90.00        10.00        100.00      China

POSCO-Indonesia Jakarta Processing Center

  Steel manufacturing     65.00        20.00        85.00        65.00        20.00        85.00      Indonesia

POSCO E&C VENEZUELA C.A.

  Construction and engineering            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Venezuela

Motta Resources Indonesia

  Mine development     65.00               65.00        65.00               65.00      Indonesia

[Foreign]

               

POSCO TMC INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

  Steel manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      India

POSCO America Alabama Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      USA

PT PEN INDONESIA

  Construction            67.00        67.00               100.00        100.00      Indonesia

POSCO(Yantai) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     90.00        10.00        100.00        90.00        10.00        100.00      China

POSCO India Steel Distribution Center Private Ltd.

  Steel logistics            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      India

POSCO China Dalian Plate Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     80.00        10.00        90.00        80.00        10.00        90.00      China

POSCO-South Asia Company Limited

  Steel product sales     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      Thailand

POSCO SS-VINA

  Steel manufacturing            100.00        100.00        100.00               100.00      Vietnam

 

F-15


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      
        December 31, 2014     December 31, 2015    
   

Principal operations

  POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region

POSCO NCR Coal Ltd.

  Coal sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Canada

POSCO WA PTY LTD

  Iron ore sales & mine development     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      Australia

POSCO Engineering and Construction — UZ

  Construction            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Uzbekistan

POSCO AUSTRALIA GP PTY LIMITED

  Resource development            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Australia

POSCO YongXin Rare Earth Metal Co., Ltd.

  Magnet material manufacturing and sales            51.67        51.67               51.60        51.60      China

Hanjung Power Pty., Ltd

  Electricity production            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Papua
New
Guinea

Daewoo International (America) Corp.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      USA

Daewoo International (Deutschland) GmbH.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Germany

Daewoo International Japan Corp.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Japan

DAEWOO INTERNATIONAL SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Singapore

Daewoo Italia S.r.l.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Italy

Daewoo (China) Co., Ltd.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

DAEWOO TEXTILE FERGANA LLC

  Textile manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Uzbekistan

DAEWOO TEXTILE BUKHARA LLC

  Textile manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Uzbekistan

DAEWOO INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS PTY LTD

  Resource development            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Australia

Daewoo Paper Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

  Paper manufacturing            66.70        66.70               66.70        66.70      China

Tianjin Daewoo Paper Manufacturing Co.,

  Paper manufacturing            68.30        68.30               68.00        68.00      China

POSCO MAURITIUS LIMITED

  Coal development and sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Mauritius

PT. KRAKATAU POSCO

  Steel manufacturing     70.00               70.00        70.00               70.00      Indonesia

DAEWOO INTERNATIONAL MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Mexico

Daewoo International Guangzhou Corp.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

POSCO (Zhangjiagang) STS Processing Center Co., Ltd

  Steel manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

Daewoo International (M) SDN BHD

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Malaysia

Daewoo International SHANGHAI CO., LTD.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

PGSF, L.P.

  Investment in bio tech Industry            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      USA

Xenesys Inc.

  Power generation equipment manufacturing     29.58        21.35        50.93        29.58        21.35        50.93      Japan

Daewoo International INDIA Private Ltd.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      India

PT. POSCO E&C INDONESIA

  Construction            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Indonesia

HUME COAL PTY LTD

  Raw material manufacturing            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Australia

POSCO FOUNDATION

  Non-profit charitable organization            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      India

EPC EQUITIES LLP

  Construction            80.00        80.00               80.00        80.00      England

 

F-16


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      
        December 31, 2014     December 31, 2015    
   

Principal operations

  POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region

SANTOS CMI CONSTRUCTION TRADING LLP

  Construction            99.90        99.90               99.90        99.90      England

SANTOS CMI INC. USA

  Construction            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      USA

SANTOS CMI ENGENHARIA E CONSTRUCOES LTDA

  Construction            99.98        99.98               99.98        99.98      Brazil

SANTOS CMI PERU S.A.

  Construction            99.99        99.99               99.99        99.99      Peru

SANTOS CMI CONSTRUCCIONES S.A.

  Construction            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Uruguay

GENTECH INTERNATIONAL INC.

  Construction            90.00        90.00               90.00        90.00      Panama

SANTOSCMI S.A.

  Construction            80.00        80.00               80.00        80.00      Ecuador

SANTOSCMI CONSTRUCCIONES DE CHILE S.A.

  Construction            99.00        99.00               99.00        99.00      Chile

COMPANIADEAUTOMATI
ZACION &CONTROL, GENESYS S.A.

  Construction            90.00        90.00               90.00        90.00      Ecuador

POSCO ASSAN TST STEEL INDUSTRY

  Steel manufacturing     60.00        10.00        70.00        60.00        10.00        70.00      Turkey

HONG KONG POSCO E&C (CHINA) INVESTMENT Co., Ltd.

  Investment            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Hong Kong

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION DO BRAZIL LTDA.

  Construction            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Brazil

POSCO Electrical Steel India Private Limited

  Electrical steel manufacturing     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      India

PT.POSCO-Indonesia Inti

  Mine development     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      Indonesia

POSCO(Dalian) IT Center Development Co., Ltd.

  Investment            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

Brazil Sao Paulo Steel Processing Center

  Steel manufacturing            76.00        76.00               76.00        76.00      Brazil

DAESAN (CAMBODIA) Co., Ltd.

  Investment            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Cambodia

PT.POSCO ICT INDONESIA

  IT service and electric control engineering            66.99        66.99               66.99        66.99      Indonesia

PT. POSCO MTECH INDONESIA

  Steel manufacturing            71.43        71.43               99.98        99.98      Indonesia

PT. KRAKATAU POSCO ENERGY

  Manufacturing & management            90.00        90.00               90.00        90.00      Indonesia

POSCO RUS LLC

  Trading business     90.00        10.00        100.00        90.00        10.00        100.00      Russia

POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited

  Steel manufacturing     84.93               84.93        84.93               84.93      Thailand

DAEWOO INTERNATIONAL SHANGHAI WAIGAOQIAO CO., LTD.

  Merchandising trade            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

PT. Bio Inti Agrindo

  Forest resources development            85.00        85.00               85.00        85.00      Indonesia

POSCO ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA (POSCO E&C AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD

  Iron ore sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Australia

[Foreign]

               

POSCO-TISCO (JILIN) PROCESSING CENTER Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     50.00        10.00        60.00        50.00        10.00        60.00      China

 

F-17


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      
        December 31, 2014     December 31, 2015    
   

Principal operations

  POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region

Hunchun Posco Hyundai International Logistics Complex Development Co., Ltd

  Logistics            80.00        80.00               80.00        80.00      China

USA-SRDC

  Scrap sales            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      USA

Daewoo International Vietnam Co., Ltd.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Vietnam

PT.Krakatau Posco Chemtech Calcination

  Quicklime manufacturing and sales            80.00        80.00               80.00        80.00      Indonesia

POSCO AFRICA (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED

  Trading business     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      South Africa

EPC INGENIERIA & SERVICIOS

  Construction and            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Costa Rica

DE COSTA RICA SA

  engineering service              

POSCO ICT BRASIL

  IT service and engineering            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Brazil

LA-SRDC

  Scrap manufacturing            68.41        68.41               100.00        100.00      USA

DONG FANG JIN HONG

  Real estate development, rental and management            99.00        99.00               100.00        100.00      China

POSCO AMERICA COMERCIALIZADORA S DE RL DE CV

  Human resource service            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Mexico

POSCO(Guangdong) Automotive Steel Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     83.64        10.00        93.64        83.64        10.00        93.64      China

POSCO MAPC SA DE CV

  Steel manufacturing and sales     80.00        20.00        100.00        80.00        20.00        100.00      Mexico

POSCO-Mory-Maruyasu PIPE

  Common steel welded pipe manufacturing and sales            50.00        50.00               50.00        50.00      Japan

PT KRAKATAU BLUE WATER

  Wastewater treatment facilities operation and maintenance            67.00        67.00               67.00        67.00      Indonesia

KRAKATAU POS-CHEM DONG-SUH CHEMICAL

  Chemical by-product manufacturing and sales            45.00        45.00               45.00        45.00      Indonesia

Myanmar Daewoo International Corporation

  Trading business            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Myanmar

POSCO-Italy Processing Center

  Stainless steel sheet manufacturing and sales     80.00        10.00        90.00        80.00        10.00        90.00      Italy

DAEWOO E&P CANADA CORPORATION

  Crude oil and natural gas mining            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Canada

Yingkou Puxiang Trade Co., Ltd.

  Refractory quality test and import and export trade            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

Myanmar POSCO C&C Company, Limited.

  Steel manufacturing and sales            70.00        70.00               70.00        70.00      Myanmar

POSCO ICT VIETNAM

  IT service and electric control engineering            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Vietnam

Daewoo Global Development. Pte., Ltd

  Real estate development            51.00        51.00               51.00        51.00      Myanmar

 

F-18


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      
        December 31, 2014     December 31, 2015    
   

Principal operations

  POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region

Myanmar POSCO Engineering&
Construction Company, Limited.

  Construction and engineering service            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Myanmar

POSCO COATED STEEL (THAILAND) CO., LTD.

  Automotive steel sheet manufacturing and sales     100.00               100.00        100.00               100.00      Thailand

Daewoo Power and Infra (PTY) Limited

  Electricity            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      South
Africa

Daewoo Amara Company Limited

  Real estate development            98.54        98.54               98.54        98.54      Myanmar

POSMATE-CHINA CO., LTD

  Business facility maintenance            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      China

Daewoo Precious Resources Co., Ltd.

  Resources development            60.00        60.00               70.00        70.00      Myanmar

POSCO-Mexico Villagran Wire-rod Processing Center

  Steel manufacturing     56.75        10.00        66.75        56.75        10.00        66.75      Mexico

SANTOS CMI Guatemala S.A.

  Construction            99.00        99.00               100.00        100.00      Guatemala

POSCO-China Dalian Steel Fabricating Center

  Steel manufacturing     42.16        25.39        67.55        42.16        25.39        67.55      China

POSCO-CDPC(POSCO ChengDu Processing Center) Co., Ltd

  Steel manufacturing                          33.00        10.00        43.00      China

POSCO E&C HOLDINGS CO., Ltd.

  Holding company            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Thailand

POSCO E&C (THAILAND) CO., Ltd.

  Construction            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Thailand

DAEWOO POWER PNG Ltd.

  Electricity production            100.00        100.00               100.00        100.00      Papua
New
Guinea

POSCO India Ahmedabad Steel Processing Center Pvt. Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing                          100.00               100.00      India

COINSA INGENIERIA Y PETROQUIMICA S.R.L

  Construction                                 50.00        50.00      Bolivia

PT.Krakatau Posco Social Enterprise

  Social enterprise                                 100.00        100.00      Indonesia

POSCO Vietnam Holdings Co., LTD.

  Holding company                          79.28        20.72        100.00      Vietnam

Ventanas Philippines Construction Inc

  Construction                                 100.00        100.00      Philippines

POSCO E&C Mongolia

  Construction                                 100.00        100.00      Mongolia

POSCO BIOVENTURES I, L.P.

  Bio tech Industry            100.00        100.00                           USA

PT. POSNESIA Stainless Steel Industry

  Steel manufacturing     70.00               70.00                           Indonesia

DWEMEX, S.A.DE.C.V.

  Construction            99.00        99.00                           Mexico

POSCO MPC Servicios S.A. de C.V.

  Steel manufacturing            61.00        61.00                           Mexico

POSCO-Uruguay S.A

  Lumber manufacturing & sales     98.10               98.10                           Uruguay

 

F-19


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      
        December 31, 2014     December 31, 2015    
   

Principal operations

  POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region

VECTUS LIMITED

  PRT test track construction            99.69        99.69                           England

ZEUS(Cayman)

  Service     100.00               100.00                           Cayman
Islands

Myanmar Daewoo Limited

  Trading business            100.00        100.00                           Myanmar

Daewoo (M) SDN. BHD.

  Trading business            100.00        100.00                           Malaysia

Daewoo EL SALVADOR S.A. DE C.V.

  Trading business            88.00        88.00                           El
Salvador

TECHREN Solar, LLC

  Electrical Industry            99.92        99.92                           USA

EPC INVESTMENTS C.V.

  Construction            99.99        99.99                           Holland

VAUTIDAMERICAS S.A.

  Construction            51.00        51.00                           Ecuador

POSCO Klappan Coal Limited

  Coal sales            100.00        100.00                           Canada

PRODUCTOS OFERTAS SISTEMAS Y COMERCIALIZADORA ORIENTAL S DE RL DE CV

  Steel sales            100.00        100.00                           Mexico

SUNGJIN CANADA LTD.

  Machinery installation            70.00        70.00                           Canada

POSCO PLANTEC Thailand CO. LTD

  Steel work maintenance and machinery installation            48.78        48.78                           Thailand

The equity of controlling company is decreased by 9,401 million (POSCO Processing & Service, Steel Processing and Fabricating Center Co., LTD and others) for the year ended December 31, 2014 and increased by 301,029 million (POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION., LTD., PT PEN INDONESIA and others) as a result of changes in the Company’s ownership interests in subsidiaries that did not result in a loss of control for the years ended December 31, 2015.

Cash dividends paid to POSCO by subsidiaries in 2014 and 2015 amounted to 58,488 million and 437,194 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2015, there are no restrictions on the ability of subsidiaries to transfer funds to the controlling company, such as in the form of cash dividends, repayment of loans or payment of advances.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(c) Details of non-controlling interest as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

1) December 31, 2014

 

    Daewoo
International
Corporation
    PT.
KRAKATAU
POSCO
    POSCO
CHEMTECH
    POSCO
ENGINEERING &
CONSTRUCTION
CO., LTD.
    POSCO
ENERGY
Co., Ltd.
    Others     Total  
    (in millions of Won)  

Current assets

  5,177,495        645,598        360,673        5,082,514        501,219        12,781,184        24,548,683   

Non-current assets

    6,028,358        3,303,632        251,206        1,333,612        3,393,917        10,135,827        24,446,552   

Current liabilities

    (5,046,468     (988,132     (131,389     (3,494,647     (546,791     (11,493,074     (21,700,501

Non-current liabilities

    (1,807,698     (2,118,519     (7,150     (882,025     (2,513,129     (3,681,307     (11,009,828

Equity

    4,351,687        842,579        473,340        2,039,454        835,216        7,742,630        16,284,906   

Non-controlling interests

    1,727,078        252,773        189,336        213,624        91,668        1,677,400        4,151,879   

Sales

    19,938,711        1,129,977        1,331,527        7,174,890        2,533,673        28,738,206        60,846,984   

Profit (loss) for the period

    83,167        (232,503     68,196        50,023        21,100        (159,066     (169,083

Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

    33,007        (69,751     27,278        5,240        2,316        (62,302     (64,212

Cash flows from operating activities

    (149,695     (27,383     20,676        24,592        36,346        (121,697     (217,161

Cash flows from investing activities

    (167,573     (74,454     (28,349     (33,755     (117,154     (230,954     (652,239

Cash flows from financing activities (before dividends to non-controlling interest)

    336,114        75,680               (15,162     83,014        406,904        886,550   

Dividend to non-controlling interest

    (13,558            (3,544     (1,923     (2,648     (5,748     (27,421

Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held

    (46     134        43        (8            3,636        3,759   

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    5,242        (26,023     (11,174     (26,256     (442     52,141        (6,512

 

F-21


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

2) December 31, 2015

 

    Daewoo
International
Corporation
    PT.
KRAKATAU
POSCO
    POSCO
CHEMTECH
    POSCO
ENGINEERING &
CONSTRUCTION
CO., LTD.
    POSCO
ENERGY
Co., Ltd.
    Others     Total  
    (in millions of Won)  

Current assets

  3,930,857        441,999        360,812        5,115,325        590,460        9,648,917        20,088,370   

Non-current assets

    4,777,482        3,363,935        248,549        1,756,367        3,333,351        7,776,264        21,255,948   

Current liabilities

    (3,568,714     (1,004,002     (106,167     (3,125,697     (663,945     (9,692,004     (18,160,529

Non-current liabilities

    (1,941,909     (2,315,554     (5,405     (768,529     (2,420,547     (2,567,980     (10,019,924

Equity

    3,197,716        486,378        497,789        2,977,466        839,319        5,165,197        13,163,865   

Non-controlling interests

    1,269,096        145,913        199,116        1,405,391        92,118        1,182,137        4,293,771   

Sales

    16,890,723        1,227,266        1,175,272        6,866,802        1,909,919        25,784,254        53,854,236   

Profit (loss) for the period

    79,092        (398,438     35,516        108,895        15,831        (835,388     (994,492

Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

    31,390        (119,531     14,206        51,399        1,738        (247,107     (267,905

Cash flows from operating activities

    433,493        (13,595     19,921        434,257        6,075        (72,371     807,780   

Cash flows from investing activities

    (74,644     (8,994     25,318        21,075        (20,980     (110,712     (168,937

Cash flows from financing activities (before dividends to non-controlling interest)

    (340,532     18,886        66        69,615        11,572        (1,718     (242,111

Dividend to non-controlling interest

    (22,597            (4,135     (703     (2,648     145,851        115,768   

Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held

    430        83               819               3,502        4,834   

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (3,850     (3,620     41,170        525,063        (5,981     (35,448     517,334   

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(d) Details of associates and joint ventures

1) Associates

Details of associates as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

        Ownership (%)      

Investee

 

Category of business

    2014         2015       Region

[Domestic]

       

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natural Resources PEF

  Investment in new technologies     28.48        28.93      Seoul

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd. (*2,3)

  Construction of industrial plant            73.94      Ulsan

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.) (*1,3)

  Steel manufacturing and sales            19.94      Changwon

SNNC

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     49.00        49.00      Gwangyang

QSONE Co., Ltd.

  Real estate rental and facility management     50.00        50.00      Seoul

UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.

  Transporting     38.19        38.19      Seoul

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd.

  Construction     25.76        22.32      Anyang

BLUE OCEAN Private Equity Fund

  Private equity financial     27.52        27.52      Seoul

Chun-cheon Energy Co., Ltd

  Electricity generation     29.90        29.90      Chuncheon

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth NO. 2. Private Equity Fund (*1)

  Investment in new technologies     12.50        12.50      Seoul

Daesung Steel Co. (*1,3)

  Steel sales            17.54      Busan

Keystone-HYUNDAI SECURITIES NO. 1. Private Equity Fund (*3)

  Private equity financial            40.45      Seoul

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd

  Real estate development     25.10        25.10      Chungju

KONES, Corp.

  Technical service     41.67        41.67      Gyeongju

Gale International Korea, LLC

  Real estate rental     29.90        29.90      Seoul

Pohang Techno Valley PFV Corporation (*2)

  Real estate development and rental     54.99        54.99      Pohang

Gunggi Green Energy (*1)

  Electricity generation     19.00        19.00      Hwaseong

Pohang Special Welding Co., Ltd.

  Welding material and tools manufacturing and sales     50.00        50.00      Pohang

KC Chemicals (*1)

  Machinery manufacturing     19.00        19.00      Hwaseong

Posco -IDV Growth Ladder IP Fund (*1)

  Investment in new technologies     17.86        17.86      Seoul

Green Jang Ryang Co., Ltd

  Sewerage treatment     25.00        25.00      Pohang

Daewoo Public Car Sales (Gwangju) CO., Ltd

  Leasing services     50.00        50.00      Gwangju

DAEHO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.

  Investment advisory service     35.82        35.82      Pohang

Clean Gimpo Co., Ltd.

  Construction     29.58        29.58      Gimpo

Postech Early Stage Fund (*1)

  Investment in new technologies     10.00        10.00      Pohang

POSCO Energy Valley Fund (*3)

  Investment in new technologies            20.00      Pohang

Pureun Tongyeong Enviro Co., Ltd.

  Sewerage treatment     20.40        20.40      Tongyeong

Posgreen Co., Ltd. (*1)

  Plaster manufacturing     19.00        19.00      Gwangyang

Pohang E&E Co., Ltd. (*3)

  Investment in waste energy            30.00      Pohang

POSTECH Social Enterprise Fund (*1)

  Investment in new technologies     9.17        9.17      Seoul

Applied Science Corp.

  Machinery manufacturing     26.47        25.73      Paju

Noel Green Energy Co., Ltd.

  Electricity generation     20.00        20.00      Seoul

Universal Studios Resort Asset Management Corporation

  Real estate services     26.17        26.17      Seoul

Synergy Private Equity Fund

  Investment in new technologies     17.86        17.86      Seoul

Pohang Techno Valley AMC Corporation

  Construction     29.50        29.50      Pohang

METAPOLIS Co., Ltd.

  Multiplex development     40.05        40.05      Hwaseong

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

  Real estate rental     29.90        29.90      Seoul

Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit Co., Ltd.

  Transporting     25.00        25.00      Gimhae

Mokpo Daeyang Industrial Corporation

  Real estate development     27.40        27.40      Mokpo

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      

Investee

 

Category of business

    2014         2015       Region

Clean Iksan Co., Ltd.

  Construction     23.50        23.50      Pohang

Innovalley Co., Ltd.

  Real estate development     28.77        28.77      Yongin

Pure Gimpo Co., Ltd.

  Construction     28.79        28.79      Seoul

Garolim Tidal Power Plant Co., Ltd

  Tidal power plant construction and management     32.13        32.13      Seosan

Posco e&c Songdo International Building

  Non-resident building lease     49.00        49.00      Seoul

Pajoo & Viro Co., Ltd. (*4)

  Construction     40.00             Paju

SuNAM Co., Ltd (*6)

  Power supply manufacturing     19.17             Seoul

Suwon Green Environment Co., Ltd (*4)

  Construction     27.50             Hwaseong

[Foreign]

       

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline
Company Ltd.

  Pipeline construction     25.04        25.04      Myanmar

AES-VCM Mong Duong Power
Company Limited

  Electricity generation     30.00        30.00      Vietnam

7623704 Canada Inc. (*1)

  Investments management     10.40        10.40      Canada

Eureka Moly LLC

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     20.00        20.00      USA

Nickel Mining Company SAS

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     49.00        49.00      New Caledonia

AMCI (WA) PTY LTD.

  Iron ore sales & mine development     49.00        49.00      Australia

KOREA LNG LTD.

  Gas production and sales     20.00        20.00      England

NCR LLC

  Coal sales     29.41        29.41      Canada

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

  Tinplate manufacturing and sales     34.00        34.00      China

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     24.10        24.10      Indonesia

PT. Wampu Electric Power

  Construction and engineering service     20.00        20.00      Indonesia

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

  Steel processing and sales     50.00        50.00      Vietnam

POSCO SeAH Steel
Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

  Steel processing and sales     25.00        25.00      China

IMFA ALLOYS FINLEASE LTD.

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     24.00        24.00      India

General Medicines Company Ltd.

  Medicine manufacturing and sales     33.00        33.00      Sudan

PT.INDONESIA POS CHEMTECH
CHOSUN Ref

  Refractory manufacturing and sales     30.19        30.19      Indonesia

POSK (Pinghu) Steel Processing
Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel processing and sales     20.00        20.00      China

SHANGHAI LANSHENG DAEWOO CORP.

  Trading     49.00        49.00      China

AN KHANH NEW CITY DEVELOPMENT
J.V CO., LTD.

  Highway construction and new town development     50.00        50.00      Vietnam

POS-SEAHSTEELWIRE(TIANJIN) CO., Ltd

  Steel processing and sales     25.00        25.00      China

SHANGHAI WAIGAOQIAO FREE TRADE ZONE LANSHENG DAEWOO IN’L TRADING CO., LTD.

  Trading     49.00        49.00      China

XG Sciences (*1)

  New materials manufacturing and development     26.27        10.50      USA

PT. Tanggamus Electric Power (*1)

  Construction and engineering service     20.59        17.50      Indonesia

NS- Thainox Auto Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     49.00        49.00      Vietnam

Hamparan Mulia

  Resource development     45.00        45.00      Indonesia

Sebang Steel

  Scrap sales     49.00        49.00      Japan

GLOBAL KOMSCO Daewoo LLC

  Mintage     35.00        35.00      Uzbekistan

POSCO- Poggenamp Electrical
Steel Pvt. Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing     26.00        26.00      India

Fifth Combined Heat and Power Plant LLC

  Thermal power generation     30.00        30.00      Mongolia

KIRIN VIETNAM CO., LTD (*1,3)

  Panel manufacturing            19.00      Vietnam

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      

Investee

 

Category of business

    2014         2015       Region

POSCHROME (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     50.00        50.00      South Africa

CAML RESOURCES PTY LTD.

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     33.34        33.34      Australia

KG Power (M) SDN. BHD

  Energy & resource development     20.00        20.00      Malaysia

LI3 ENERGY INC

  Energy & resource development     26.06        26.06      Peru

LLP POSUK Titanium

  Titanium manufacturing and sales     36.83        36.83      Kazakhstan

BGC-POS PTY LTD. (*4)

  Construction     49.00             Australia

Baganuur Energy Corporation(*5)

  Refined oil manufacturing     50.00             Mongolia

Arctos Anthracite Joint Venture (*5)

  Coal sales     20.00             Canada

 

 

(*1) The Company is able to exercise significant influence even though the Company’s percentage of ownership is below 20% as of December 31, 2015.

 

(*2) Considering the composition of Board of Directors, the Company is not able to exercise control over the investee even though the Company’s percentage of ownership is above 50%.

 

(*3) These associates were newly established or acquired in 2015.

 

(*4) Excluded from associates due to the disposal of shares during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

(*5) Excluded from associates due to liquidation during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

(*6) Excluded from associates due to the loss of significant influence caused by change in composition of the Board of Directors during the year ended December 31, 2015.

2) Joint ventures

Details of joint ventures as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

        Ownership (%)      

Investee

 

Category of business

    2014         2015       Region

[Domestic]

       

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

  Steel processing and sales     60.00        60.00      Gwangyang

POSCO ES MATERIALS

  Secondary battery manufacturing     50.00        50.00      Gumi

[Foreign]

       

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd.

  Energy & resource development     12.50        12.50      Australia

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

  Mine development     50.00        50.00      USA

DMSA/AMSA

  Energy & resource development     4.00        4.07      Madagascar

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

  Steel processing and sales     25.00        25.00      China

CSP — Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

  Steel manufacturing and sales     20.00        20.00      Brazil

KOBRASCO

  Facility lease     50.00        50.00      Brazil

PT. POSMI Steel Indonesia

  Steel processing and sale     36.69        36.69      Indonesia

Henan Tsingpu Ferro Alloy Co., Ltd.

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     49.00        49.00      China

VNS-DAEWOO Co., Ltd.

  Steel scrap processing and sale     40.00        40.00      Vietnam

YULCHON MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.(*1)

  Tube for automobile manufacturing            19.00      Mexico

POSCO-SAMSUNG-Slovakia Processing Center

  Steel processing and sales     30.00        30.00      Slovakia

Zhangjiagang Pohang Refractories Co., Ltd.

  Refractory manufacturing     50.00        50.00      China

United Spiral Pipe, LLC

  Material manufacturing and sales     35.00        35.00      USA

Korea Siberia Wood CJSC

  Forest resource development     50.00        50.00      Russia

Hyunson Engineering & Construction HYENCO(*1)

  Construction            4.90      Algeria

TANGGANG-POSCO LED

  LED manufacturing and sales     50.00        50.00      China

USS-POSCO Industries

  Cold rolled coil manufacturing and sales     50.00        50.00      USA

POSCO-CDPC(POSCO ChengDu Processing Center) Co., Ltd(*2)

  Steel processing and sale     43.00             China

SUNGJIN DRIVER INC(*3)

  Module and plant manufacturing     50.00             Canada

 

 

(*1) These joint ventures were newly established or acquired in 2015.

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(*2) Reclassified to subsidiary from joint venture during the year ended December 31, 2015.
(*3) Excluded from joint ventures due to liquidation during the year ended December 31, 2015.

(e) Newly included subsidiaries

Consolidated subsidiaries acquired or newly established during the year ended December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

Company

 

Date of acquisition

  Ownership (%)    

Reason

Posco Group University

  February 2015     100.00      New establishment

POSCO India Ahmedabad Steel Processing Center Pvt. Ltd.

  February 2015     100.00      New establishment

HOTEL LAONZENA

  February 2015     100.00      New establishment

COINSA INGENIERIA Y PETROQUIMICA S.R.L

  February 2015     50.00      New establishment

Miracle number four

  March 2015          Acquisition

PT.Krakatau Posco Social Enterprise

  April 2015     100.00      New establishment

POSCO Vietnam Holdings Co., LTD.

  May 2015     100.00      New establishment

Growth Ladder POSCO K-Growth Global Fund

  May 2015     50.00      New establishment

2015 POSCO New technology II Fund

  June 2015     25.00      New establishment

POSCO-CDPC(POSCO ChengDu Processing Center) Co., Ltd

  July 2015     43.00      Reclassification from associate

Ventanas Philippines Construction Inc

  November 2015     100.00      New establishment

POSCO E&C Mongolia

  December 2015     100.00      New establishment

(f) Excluded subsidiaries

Subsidiaries that were excluded from consolidation during the year ended December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

Company

  

Date of exclusion

  

Reason

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.)

   March 2015    Reclassification to associates due to decline in ownership

Keystone-HYUNDAI SECURITIES NO. 1. Private Equity Fund

   March 2015    Reclassification to associates due to decline in ownership

Chun Sa wind

   March 2015    Exclusion upon reclassification of parent company, ‘Keystone-HYUNDAI SECURITIES NO. 1. Private Equity Fund’ to associates

Zeus(Cayman)

   April 2015    Exclusion upon liquidation

POSFINE Co., Ltd.

   April 2015    Disposal

PT. POSNESIA Stainless Steel Industry

   April 2015    Exclusion upon liquidation

TECHREN Solar, LLC

   May 2015    Disposal

New Altec Co., Ltd

   May 2015    Disposal

POS- HiAL

   June 2015    Loss of control due to administration by court

SUNGJIN CANADA LTD.

   June 2015    Exclusion upon liquidation

POREKA Co., Ltd.

   August 2015    Disposal

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

   September 2015    Reclassified to associate due to loss of control through workout

POSCO PLANTEC Thailand CO. LTD

   September 2015    Exclusion upon reclassification of parent company, ‘POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.’ to associates

Miracle number four

   September 2015    Exclusion upon reclassification of parent company, ‘POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.’ to associates

POSCO Klappan Coal Limited

   September 2015    Exclusion upon liquidation

EPC INVESTMENTS C.V.

   September 2015    Exclusion upon liquidation

POSCO MPC Servicios S.A. de C.V.

   September 2015    Merged into POSCO MPPC S.A. de C.V.

PONUTech Co., Ltd.

   November 2015    Disposal

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

Company

  

Date of exclusion

  

Reason

PRODUCTOS OFERTAS SISTEMAS Y COMERCIALIZADORA ORIENTAL S DE RL DE CV

  

December 2015

  

 

Merged into POSCO AMERICA COMERCIALIZADORA S DE RL DE CV

VAUTIDAMERICAS S.A.

   December 2015    Exclusion upon liquidation

Daewoo EL SALVADOR S.A. DE C.V.

   December 2015    Exclusion upon liquidation

Daewoo (M) SDN. BHD.

   December 2015    Exclusion upon liquidation

Myanmar Daewoo Limited

   December 2015    Exclusion upon liquidation

VECTUS LIMITED

   December 2015    Disposal

POSCO-Uruguay S.A

   December 2015    Exclusion upon liquidation

DWEMEX, S.A.DE.C.V.

   December 2015    Disposal

POSCO BIOVENTURES I, L.P.

   December 2015    Exclusion upon liquidation

 

2. Statement of Compliance

Statement of compliance

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

The consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by the authorized directors on February 26, 2016.

Basis of measurement

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the following material items in the statement of financial position, as described in the accounting policy below.

 

  (a) Derivatives instruments are measured at fair value

 

  (b) Available-for-sale financial assets are measured at fair value

 

  (c) Defined benefit liabilities are measured at the present value of the defined benefit obligation less the fair value of the plan assets

Functional and presentation currency

The financial statements of POSCO and subsidiaries are prepared in functional currency of the respective operation. These consolidated financial statements are presented in Korean Won, which is POSCO’s functional currency and the currency of the primary economic environment in which POSCO operates.

Use of estimates and judgments

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period prospectively.

 

  (a) Judgments

Information about critical judgments in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements is included in the following notes:

 

   

Note 1 — Subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

 

   

Note 10 — Assets held for sale

 

   

Note 12 — Joint operations

 

   

Note 25 — Hybrid bonds

 

  (b) Assumptions and estimation uncertainties

Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment within the next financial year is included in the following notes:

 

   

Note 11 — Investments in associates and joint ventures

 

   

Note 15 — Goodwill and other intangible assets, Net

 

   

Note 20 — Provisions

 

   

Note 21 — Employee benefits

 

   

Note 29 — Construction contracts

 

   

Note 35 — Income taxes

 

   

Note 38 — Commitments and contingencies

 

  (c) Measurement of fair value

The Company’s accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair values, for both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. The Company has an established control framework with respect to the measurement of fair values. This includes a valuation team that has overall responsibility for overseeing all significant fair value measurements, including Level 3 fair values, and reports directly to the financial officer.

The valuation team regularly reviews significant unobservable inputs and valuation adjustments. If third party information, such as broker quotes or pricing services, is used to measure fair values, then the valuation team assesses the evidence obtained from the third parties to support the conclusion that such valuations meet the requirements of IFRS including the level in the fair value hierarchy in which such valuation techniques should be classified.

When measuring the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Company uses market observable data as far as possible. Fair values are categorized into different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows.

 

   

Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 2 — inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

   

Level 3 — inputs for the assets or liability that are not based on observable market data.

If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or a liability might be categorized in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement. The Company recognizes transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during which the change has occurred.

Information about the assumptions made in measuring fair values is included in the following note:

 

   

Note 23 — Financial instruments

Changes in accounting policies

The Company has adopted the following amendments to standards and new interpretation with a date of initial application of January 1, 2015.

 

  (a) IAS No. 19, “Employee Benefits”

IAS No. 19, Employee Benefits, introduced a practical expedient for companies that operate defined benefit plans and when contributions are made by employees or third parties. According to the amendments, the Company is permitted to recognize those contributions as a reduction of the service cost in the period in which the related service is rendered, instead of forecast future contributions from employees or third parties and attribute them to periods or service as negative benefits.

Impact of changes in accounting policies

As management believes the impact of IAS No. 19 on the Company’s prior year’s consolidated financial statement is not significant, the comparative period’s consolidated financial statements are not restated.

 

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies applied by the Company in preparation of its consolidated financial statements are included below. The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these financial statements, except for those as disclosed in note 2.

Basis of consolidation

 

  (a) Business combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when control is transferred to the Company.

The consideration transferred in the acquisition is generally measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. Any goodwill that arises is tested annually for impairment. Any gain on bargain purchase is recognized in profit or loss immediately. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred, except if related to the issue of debt or equity

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

securities. The consideration transferred does not include amounts related to the settlement of pre-existing relationships. Such amounts are generally recognized in profit or loss.

Any contingent consideration payable is measured at fair value at the acquisition date. If the contingent consideration is classified as equity, then it is not remeasured and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized in profit or loss.

If share-based payment awards (replacement awards) are required to be exchanged for awards held by the acquiree’s employees (acquiree’s awards), then all or a portion of the amount of the acquirer’s replacement awards is included in measuring the consideration transferred in the business combination. This determination is based on the market-based measure of the replacement awards compared with the market-based measure of the acquiree’s awards and the extent to which the replacement awards relate to pre-combination service.

 

  (b) Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests are measured at their proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets at the acquisition date.

Changes in the Company’s interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions.

 

  (c) Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. The Company controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control commences until the date on which control ceases.

 

  (d) Loss of control

When the Company loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognizes the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary, and any related non-controlling interests and other components of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss. Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value when control is lost.

 

  (e) Interests in equity-accounted investees

The Company’s interests in equity-control investees comprise interests in associates and joint ventures. Associates are those entities in which the Company has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over the financial and operating policies. A joint venture is an arrangement in which the Company has joint control, whereby the Company has rights to the net assets of the arrangement, rather than rights to its assets and obligations for its liabilities.

Interests in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. They are recognized initially at cost, which includes transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, the consolidated financial statements include the Company’s share of the profit or loss and other comprehensive income of equity-accounted investees, until the date on which significant influence or joint control ceases.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

  (f) Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealized income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated. Unrealized gains arising from transactions with equity-accounted investees are eliminated against the investment to the extent of the Company’s interest in the investee. Unrealized losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealized gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

Foreign currency transactions and translation

 

  (a) Foreign currency transactions

Foreign currency transactions are initially recorded using the spot exchange rate between the functional currency and the foreign currency at the date of the transaction. At the end of each reporting period, foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the original transaction. Non-monetary items that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date fair value was initially determined.

Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translating monetary items at rates different from those at which they were translated on initial recognition during the period or in previous financial statements are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they arise. When gains or losses on non-monetary items are recognized in other comprehensive income, exchange components of those gains or losses are recognized in other comprehensive income. Conversely, when gains or losses on non-monetary items are recognized in profit or loss, exchange components of those gains or losses are recognized in profit or loss.

 

  (b) Foreign operations

If the presentation currency of the Company is different from a foreign operation’s functional currency, the financial statements of the foreign operation are translated into the presentation currency using the following methods:

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, whose functional currency is not the currency of a hyperinflationary economy, are translated to presentation currency at exchange rates at the reporting date. The income and expenses of foreign operations are translated to functional currency at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Foreign currency differences are recognized in other comprehensive income.

Any goodwill arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation and any fair value adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities arising on the acquisition of that foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation. Thus, they are expressed in the functional currency of the foreign operation and translated at the closing rate.

When a foreign operation is disposed of, the relevant amount in the translation is transferred to profit or loss as part of the profit or loss on disposal. On the partial disposal of a subsidiary that includes a foreign operation, the relevant proportion of such cumulative amount is reattributed to non-controlling interest. In any other partial disposal of a foreign operation, the relevant proportion is reclassified to profit or loss.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

Foreign exchange gains or losses arising from a monetary item receivable from or payable to a foreign operation, the settlement of which is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future and which in substance is considered to form part of the net investment in the foreign operation, are recognized in other comprehensive income in the translation reserve.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, demand deposits, and short-term investments in highly liquid securities that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with maturities of three months or less from the acquisition date and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Equity investments are excluded from cash and cash equivalents.

Non-derivative financial assets

The Company recognizes and measures non-derivative financial assets by the following four categories: financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity financial assets, loans and receivables and available-for-sale financial assets. The Company recognizes financial assets in the consolidated statement of financial position when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Upon initial recognition, non-derivative financial assets are measured at their fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the asset’s acquisition or issuance.

(a) Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets are classified at fair value through profit or loss if they are held for trading or designated as such upon initial recognition. Upon initial recognition, transaction costs are recognized in profit or loss when incurred. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value, and changes therein are recognized in profit or loss.

(b) Held-to-maturity financial assets

A non-derivative financial asset with a fixed or determinable payment and fixed maturity, for which the Company has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity, is classified as held-to-maturity. Subsequent to initial recognition, held-to-maturity financial assets are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.

(c) Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. Subsequent to initial recognition, loans and receivables are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method unless the effect of discounting is immaterial.

(d) Available-for-sale financial assets

Available-for-sale financial assets are those non-derivative financial assets that are designated as available-for-sale or are not classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity financial assets or loans and receivables. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at fair value, with changes in fair value, net of any tax effect, recorded in other comprehensive income in equity. Investments in equity instruments that do not have a quoted market price in an active market and

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

whose fair value cannot be reliably measured and derivatives that are linked to and must be settled by delivery of such unquoted equity instruments are measured at cost. When a financial asset is derecognized or impairment losses are recognized, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to profit or loss. Dividends on an available-for-sale equity instrument are recognized in profit or loss when the Company’s right to receive payment is established.

(e) Derecognition of non-derivative financial assets

The Company derecognizes non-derivative financial assets when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or the Company transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows from the financial asset as well as substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset. Any interest in a transferred financial asset that is created or retained by the Company is recognized as a separate asset or liability.

If the Company retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the transferred financial assets, the Company continues to recognize the transferred financial assets and recognizes financial liabilities for the consideration received.

(f) Offsetting a financial asset and a financial liability

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is presented in the consolidated statement of financial position only when the Company currently has a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts, and there is the intention to settle on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Inventories

Inventory costs, except materials-in-transit in which costs are determined by using specific identification method, are determined by using the moving-weighted average method. The cost of inventories comprise all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. The allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of finished goods or work in progress are based on the normal capacity of the production facilities.

When inventories are sold, the carrying amount of those inventories is recognized as cost of goods sold in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. Inventories are measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The amount of any write-down of inventories to net realizable value and all losses of inventories are recognized as an expense in the period the write-down or loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write-down of inventories arising from an increase in net realizable value is recognized as a reduction in the amount of inventories recognized as a cost of goods sold in the period in which the reversal occurs.

Non-current assets held for sale

Non-current assets or disposal groups comprising assets and liabilities that are expected to be recovered primarily through sale rather than through continuing use are classified as held for sale. In order to be classified as held for sale, the assets or disposal groups must be available for immediate sale in their present condition and their sale must be highly probable. The assets or disposal groups that are classified as non-current assets held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less cost to sell.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

The Company recognizes an impairment loss for any initial or subsequent write-down of an asset or disposal group to fair value less costs to sell, and a gain for any subsequent increase in fair value less costs to sell, up to the cumulative impairment loss previously recognized in accordance with IAS No. 36 “Impairment of Assets”.

A non-current asset that is classified as held for sale or part of a disposal group classified as held for sale is not depreciated (or amortized).

Investment property

Property held to earn rentals or for capital appreciation or both is classified as investment property. Investment property is measured initially at its cost. Transaction costs are included in the initial measurement. Subsequently, investment property is carried at depreciated cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

Subsequent costs are recognized in the carrying amount of investment property at cost or, if appropriate, as separate items if it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at the end of each reporting date and adjusted, if appropriate. The change is accounted for as a change in an accounting estimate.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are initially measured at cost and after initial recognition, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. The cost of property, plant and equipment includes expenditures arising directly from the construction or acquisition of the asset, any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management and, when the Company has an obligation to remove the asset or restore the site, an estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located.

The cost of replacing a part of an item is recognized in the carrying amount of the item of property, plant and equipment, if the following recognition criteria are met:

(a) it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company; and

(b) the cost can be measured reliably.

The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized at the time the replacement part is recognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of the item are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Items of property, plant and equipment are depreciated from the date they are available for use or, in respect of self-constructed assets, from the date that the asset is completed and ready for use. Other than land, the costs of an asset less its estimated residual value are depreciated. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is recognized in profit or loss on a straight-line basis, which most closely reflects the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits embodied in the asset, over

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

the estimated useful lives of each component of an item of property, plant and equipment. Leased assets are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and their useful lives unless it is reasonably certain that the Company will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term. Land is not depreciated.

Each part of an item of property, plant and equipment with a cost that is significant in relation to the total cost of the item is depreciated separately.

The gain or loss arising from the derecognition of an item of property, plant and equipment is included in profit or loss when the item is derecognized.

The estimated useful lives for the current and comparative periods are as follows:

 

Buildings

   3-60 years

Structures

   4-50 years

Machinery and equipment

   2-25 years

Vehicles

   3-10 years

Tools

   4-10 years

Furniture and fixtures

   3-10 years

Lease assets

   3-20 years

The estimated residual value, useful lives and the depreciation method are reviewed at least at the end of each reporting period and, if expectations differ from previous estimates, the changes are accounted for as changes in accounting estimates.

Borrowing costs

The Company capitalizes borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as part of the cost of that asset. Other borrowing costs are recognized in expense as incurred. A qualifying asset is an asset that requires a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale. Financial assets and inventories that are manufactured or otherwise produced over a short period of time are not qualifying assets. Assets that are ready for their intended use or sale when acquired are not qualifying assets.

To the extent that the Company borrows funds specifically for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset, the Company determines the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalization as the actual borrowing costs incurred on that borrowing during the period less any investment income on the temporary investment of those borrowings. The Company immediately recognizes other borrowing costs as an expense. To the extent that the Company borrows funds generally and uses them for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset, the Company shall determine the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalization by applying a capitalization rate to the expenditures on that asset. The capitalization rate shall be the weighted average of the borrowing costs applicable to the borrowings of the Company that are outstanding during the period, other than borrowings made specifically for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset. The amount of borrowing costs that the Company capitalizes during a period shall not exceed the amount of borrowing costs incurred during that period.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are measured initially at cost and, subsequently, are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.

Amortization of intangible assets except for goodwill is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets from the date that they are available for use. The

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

residual value of intangible assets is zero. However, as there are no foreseeable limits to the periods over which club memberships are expected to be available for use, this intangible asset is determined as having an indefinite useful life and not amortized.

 

Intellectual property rights

   5-10 years

Development costs

   3-10 years

Port facilities usage rights

   4-75 years

Other intangible assets

   2-25 years

Amortization periods and the amortization methods for intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed at the end of each reporting period. The useful lives of intangible assets that are not being amortized are reviewed at the end of each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support indefinite useful life assessments for those assets. Changes are accounted for as changes in accounting estimates.

Expenditures on research activities, undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, are recognized in profit or loss as incurred. Development expenditures are capitalized only if development costs can be measured reliably, the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable, and the Company intends to and has sufficient resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset. Other development expenditures are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Subsequent expenditures are capitalized only when they increase the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which they relate. All other expenditures, including expenditures on internally generated goodwill and brands, are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources

POSCO is engaged in exploration projects for mineral resources through subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures in the mines or other contractual arrangements. Expenditures related to the development of mineral resources are recognized as exploration or development intangible assets. The nature of these intangible assets are as follows:

 

  (a) Exploration and evaluation assets

Exploration and evaluation assets consist of expenditures for topographical studies, geophysical studies and trenching. These assets are reclassified as development assets when it is proved that the exploration has identified commercially viable mineral deposit.

 

  (b) Development assets

When proved reserves are determined and development is sanctioned, development expenditures incurred are capitalized. These expenditures include evaluation of oil fields, construction of oil/gas wells, drilling for viability and others. On completion of development and inception of extraction for commercial production of developed proved reserves, the development assets are reclassified as either property, plant and equipment or as intellectual property rights (mining rights) under intangible assets based on the nature of the capitalized expenditure.

The respective property, plant and equipment and intellectual property (mining rights) are each depreciated and amortized based on proved reserves on a unit of production basis.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

Government grants

Government grants are not recognized unless there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the grant’s conditions and that the grant will be received.

 

  (a) Grants related to assets

Government grants whose primary condition is that the Company purchase, construct or otherwise acquire long-term assets are deducted from the carrying amount of the assets and recognized in profit or loss on a systematic and rational basis over the life of the depreciable assets.

 

  (b) Grants related to income

Government grants which are intended to compensate the Company for expenses incurred are deducted from the related expenses.

Leases

The Company classifies and accounts for leases as either a finance or operating lease, depending on the terms. Leases where the Company assumes substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

 

  (a) Finance leases

At the commencement of the lease term, the Company recognizes as finance assets and finance liabilities the lower amount of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments, each determined at the inception of the lease. Any initial direct costs are added to the amount recognized as an asset.

Minimum lease payments are apportioned between the finance charge and the reduction of the outstanding liability. The finance charge is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Contingent rents are charged as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.

The depreciable amount of a leased asset is allocated to each accounting period during the period of expected use on a systematic basis consistent with the depreciation policy the Company adopts for similar depreciable assets that are owned. If there is no reasonable certainty that the Company will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term, the asset is fully depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and its useful life.

 

  (b) Operating leases

Lease obligations under operating leases are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Contingent rents are charged as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.

 

  (c) Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease

Determining whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement and requires an assessment of whether fulfillment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets (the asset) and the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

At inception or reassessment of the arrangement, management of the Company separates payments and other consideration required by such an arrangement into those for the lease and those for other elements on the basis of their relative fair values. If management of the Company concludes for a financial lease that it is impracticable to separate the payments reliably, the Company recognizes an asset and a liability at an amount equal to the fair value of the underlying asset that was identified as the subject of the lease. Subsequently, the liability shall be reduced as payments are made and an imputed finance charge on the liability recognized using the purchaser’s incremental borrowing rate of interest.

Impairment for financial assets

A financial asset not carried at fair value through profit or loss is assessed at each reporting date to determine whether there is objective evidence that it is impaired. A financial asset is impaired if objective evidence indicates that a loss event has occurred after the initial recognition of the asset, and that the loss event had a negative effect on the estimated future cash flows of that asset that can be estimated reliably. However, losses expected as a result of future events, regardless of likelihood, are not recognized.

Objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets are impaired includes:

 

  (a) significant financial difficulty of the issuer or obligor;

 

  (b) a breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in interest or principal payments;

 

  (c) the lender, for economic or legal reasons relating to the borrower’s financial difficulty, granting to the borrower a concession that the lender would not otherwise consider;

 

  (d) it becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganization;

 

  (e) the disappearance of an active market for that financial asset because of financial difficulties; or

 

  (f) observable data indicating that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows from a group of financial assets since the initial recognition of those assets, although the decrease cannot yet be identified with the individual financial assets in the group.

In addition, for an investment in an equity security, a significant or prolonged decline in its fair value below its cost is objective evidence of impairment.

If there is objective evidence that financial assets are impaired, impairment losses are measured and recognized.

 

  (a) Financial assets measured at amortized cost

An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset measured at amortized cost is calculated as the difference between its carrying amount and the present value of its estimated future cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. If it is not practicable to obtain the instrument’s estimated future cash flows, impairment losses would be measured by using prices from any observable current market transactions. The Company can recognize impairment losses directly or establish a provision to cover impairment losses. If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized, the previously recognized impairment loss shall be reversed either directly or by adjusting an allowance account.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

  (b) Financial assets carried at cost

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has occurred on an unquoted equity instrument that is not carried at fair value because its fair value cannot be reliably measured, or on a derivative asset that is linked to and must be settled by delivery of such an unquoted equity instrument, the amount of the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the financial asset and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the current market rate of return for a similar financial asset. Such impairment losses are not reversed.

 

  (c) Available-for-sale financial assets

When a decline in the fair value of an available-for-sale financial asset has been recognized in other comprehensive income and there is objective evidence that the asset is impaired, the cumulative loss that had been recognized in other comprehensive income shall be reclassified from equity to profit or loss as a reclassification adjustment even though the financial asset has not been derecognized. Impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for an investment in an equity instrument classified as available-for-sale are not reversed through profit or loss. If, in a subsequent period, the fair value of a debt instrument classified as available-for-sale increases and the increase can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognized in profit or loss, the impairment loss shall be reversed, with the amount of the reversal recognized in profit or loss.

Impairment for non-financial assets

The carrying amounts of the Company’s non-financial assets, other than assets arising from construction contracts, employee benefits, inventories, deferred tax assets and non-current assets held for sale, are reviewed at the end of the reporting period to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives or that are not yet available for use, irrespective of whether there is any indication of impairment, are tested for impairment annually by comparing their recoverable amount to their carrying amount.

Management estimates the recoverable amount of an individual asset. If it is impossible to measure the individual recoverable amount of an asset, then management estimates the recoverable amount of cash-generating unit (“CGU”). A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value-in-use and its fair value less costs to sell. The Company determined that individual operating entities are CGUs.

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value-in-use and its fair value less costs to sell. The value-in-use is estimated by applying a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU for which estimated future cash flows have not been adjusted, to the estimated future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or CGU.

An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or a CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss.

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each CGU that is expected to benefit from the synergies arising from the goodwill acquired. Any impairment identified at the CGU level will first reduce the carrying value of goodwill and then be used to reduce the carrying amount of

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

the other assets in the CGU on a pro rata basis. Except for impairment losses in respect of goodwill which are never reversed, an impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.

Derivative financial instruments and hedges

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value, and changes therein are recognized in profit or loss.

 

  (a) Embedded derivatives

Embedded derivatives are separated from the host contract and accounted for separately only if the following criteria have been met: (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract and the embedded derivatives are not clearly and closely related to a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative that would meet the definition of a derivative, and (b) the hybrid (combined) instrument is not measured at fair value through profit or loss. Changes in the fair value of separable embedded derivatives from the host contract are recognized immediately in profit or loss. However, convertible rights of convertible bonds are not separated from the host contract and the compound financial instruments of bonds and convertible rights are designated and measured at fair value through profit and loss.

 

  (b) Other derivatives

Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is not designated as a hedging instrument are recognized immediately in profit or loss.

Non-derivative financial liabilities

The Company classifies non-derivative financial liabilities into financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss or other financial liabilities in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement and the definitions of financial liabilities. The Company recognizes financial liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial liability.

 

  (a) Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trading or designated as such upon initial recognition. Subsequent to initial recognition, financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value, and changes therein are recognized in profit or loss. Upon initial recognition, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

 

  (b) Other financial liabilities

Non-derivative financial liabilities other than financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are classified as other financial liabilities.

Financial guarantee liabilities are initially measured at their fair values and, if not designated as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, they are subsequently measured at the higher of:

 

  1) the amount of the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period; and

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

  2) the amount initially recognized less, cumulative amortization recognized on a straight-line basis over the guarantee period

At the date of initial recognition, other financial liabilities are measured at fair value minus transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition. Subsequent to initial recognition, other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

The Company derecognizes a financial liability from the consolidated statement of financial position when it is extinguished (i.e. when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires).

Construction work in progress

Construction work in progress represents the gross unbilled amount expected to be collected from customers for contract work performed to date. It is measured at cost plus profit recognized to date less progress billings and recognized losses. Cost includes all expenditures related directly to specific projects and an allocation of fixed and variable overheads incurred in the Company’s contract activities based on normal operating capacity.

Construction work in progress is presented as part of trade accounts and notes receivable in the consolidated statement of financial position for all contracts in which costs incurred plus recognized profits exceed progress billings. If progress billings exceed costs incurred plus recognized profits, then the difference is presented as amounts due to customers for contract work in the consolidated statement of financial position.

Employee benefits

 

  (a) Short-term employee benefits

Short-term employee benefits are employee benefits that are due to be settled within twelve months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service. When an employee has rendered service to the Company during an accounting period, the Company recognizes the undiscounted amount of short-term employee benefits expected to be paid in exchange for that service as profit or loss. If the Company has a legal or constructive obligation which can be reliably measured, the Company recognizes the amount of expected payment for profit-sharing and bonuses payable as liabilities.

 

  (b) Other long-term employee benefits

Other long-term employee benefits include employee benefits that are settled beyond 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service, and are calculated at the present value of the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods, less the fair value of any related assets. The present value is determined by discounting the expected future cash flows using the interest rate of corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating the terms of the Company’s obligations and that are denominated in the same currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid. Any actuarial gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they arise.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

  (c) Retirement benefits: Defined contribution plans

For defined contribution plans, when an employee has rendered service to the Company during a period, the Company recognizes the contribution payable to a defined contribution plan in exchange for that service as an accrued expense, after deducting any contributions already paid. If the contributions already paid exceed the contribution due for service before the end of the reporting period, the Company recognizes that excess as an asset (prepaid expense) to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.

 

  (d) Retirement benefits: Defined benefit plans

A defined benefit plan is a post-employment benefit plan other than a defined contribution plan. The Company’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit plans is calculated by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods; that benefit is discounted to determine its present value. The fair value of plan assets is deducted. The calculation is performed annually by an independent actuary using the projected unit credit method.

The discount rate is the yield at the reporting date on corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating the terms of the Company’s obligations and that are denominated in the same currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid. The Company recognizes all actuarial gains and losses arising from actuarial assumption changes and experiential adjustments in other comprehensive income when incurred.

When the fair value of plan assets exceeds the present value of the defined benefit obligation, the Company recognizes an asset, to the extent of the present value of the total of cumulative any economic benefits available in the form of refunds from the plan or reduction in the future contributions to the plan.

Remeasurements of net defined benefit liabilities, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding interest) and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any, excluding interest), are recognized immediately in other comprehensive income. The Company determines the net interest expense (income) on the net defined benefit liability (asset) for the period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the then-net defined benefit liability (asset), taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability (asset) during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments, net interest expense and other expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognized in profit or loss.

When the benefits of a plan are changed or when a plan is curtailed, the resulting change in benefit that relates to past service or the gain or loss in curtailment is recognized immediately in profit or loss. The Company recognizes gains and losses on the settlement of a defined benefit plan when the settlement occurs.

Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

The risks and uncertainties that inevitably surround many events and circumstances are taken into account in reaching the best estimate of a provision. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are determined at the present value of the expected future cash flows.

Where some or all of the expenditures required to settle a provision are expected to be reimbursed by another party, the reimbursement shall be recognized when, and only when, it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received if the entity settles the obligation. The reimbursement shall be treated as a separate asset.

Provisions are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted to reflect the current best estimates. If it is no longer probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, the provision is reversed.

A provision for warranties is recognized when the underlying products are sold. The provision is based on historical warranty data and a weighting of all possible outcomes against their associated probabilities.

Regarding provision for construction warranties, warranty period starts from the completion of construction in accordance with construction contracts. If the Company has an obligation for warranties, provision for warranties which are estimated based on historical warranty data are recorded as cost of construction and provision for warranties during the construction period.

A provision for restoration regarding contamination of land is recognized in accordance with the Company’s announced Environment Policy and legal requirement as needed.

A provision is used only for expenditures for which the provision was originally recognized.

Emission Rights

The Company accounts for greenhouse gases emission right and the relevant liability as below pursuant to the Act on Allocation and Trading of Greenhouse Gas Emission which became effective in 2015.

 

  (a) Greenhouse Gases Emission Right

Greenhouse Gases Emission Right consists of emission allowances which are allocated from the government free of charge or purchased from the market. The cost includes any directly attributable costs incurred during the normal course of business.

Emission rights held for the purpose of performing the obligation is classified as intangible asset and is initially measured at cost and after initial recognition, are carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Emission rights held for short-swing profits are classified as current asset and are measured at fair value with any changes in fair value recognized as profit or loss in the respective reporting period.

The Company derecognizes an emission right asset when the emission allowance is unusable, disposed or submitted to government in which the future economic benefits are no longer expected to be probable.

 

  (b) Emission liability

Emission liability is a present obligation of submitting emission rights to the government with regard to emission of greenhouse gas. Emission liability is recognized when there is a high possibility of outflows of resources in performing the obligation and the costs required to perform the obligation are reliably estimable. Emission liability is an amount of estimated

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

obligations for emission rights to be submitted to the government for the performing period. The emission liability is measured based on the expected quantity of emission for the performing period in excess of emission allowance in possession and the unit price for such emission rights in the market at the end of the reporting period.

Equity instruments

 

  (a) Share capital

Common stock is classified as equity and the incremental costs arising directly attributable to the issuance of common stock less their tax effects are deducted from equity.

If the Company reacquires its own equity instruments, the amount of those instruments (“treasury shares”) are presented as a contra equity account. No gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issuance or cancellation of its own equity instruments. When treasury shares are sold or reissued subsequently, the amount received is recognized as an increase to equity, and the resulting surplus or deficit on the transaction is recorded in capital surplus.

 

  (b) Hybrid Bonds

Debt and equity instruments issued by the Company are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangements and the definitions of financial liability and an equity instrument. When the Company has an unconditional right to avoid delivering cash or another financial asset to settle a contractual obligation, the instruments are classified as equity instruments.

Revenue

Revenue from the sale of goods, services provided and the use of assets is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of returns and allowances, trade discounts and volume rebates, which are not significant for all periods presented.

 

  (a) Sale of goods

Revenue from the sale of goods in the ordinary course of activities is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of returns, trade discounts and volume rebates. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence exists, usually in the form of an executed sales agreement, that the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, recovery of the consideration is probable, the associated costs and possible return of goods can be estimated reliably, there is no continuing management involvement with the goods, and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably. The appropriate timing for transfer of risks and rewards varies depending on the individual terms and conditions of the sales contract. For international sales, this timing depends on the type of international commercial terms of the contract.

 

  (b) Services rendered

Revenue from services rendered is recognized in profit or loss in proportion to the stage of completion of the transaction at the reporting date. The stage of completion is assessed by reference to surveys of work performed.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

  (c) Construction contracts

Construction contracts of the Company primarily consist of contracts for the construction of plants and commercial or residential buildings (excluding certain pre-sale contracts), and revenue recognition for different types of contracts is as follows:

When the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognized in profit or loss in proportion to the stage of completion of the contract. Contract revenue includes the initial amount agreed in the contract plus any variation in contract work, claims and incentive payments, to the extent that it is probable that they will result in revenue and can be measured reliably. The stage of completion of a contract is determined based on the proportion that contract costs incurred for work performed to date bear to the estimated total contract costs.

When the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, the revenue is recognized only to the extent of contract costs incurred that it is probable will be recoverable. An expected loss on the construction contract is recognized as an expense immediately.

 

  (d) Rental income

Rental income from investment property, net of lease incentives granted, is recognized in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Finance income and finance costs

Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested (including available-for-sale financial assets), dividend income, gains on the disposal of available-for-sale financial assets and changes in the fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. Interest income is recognized as it accrues in profit or loss, using the effective interest rate method. Dividend income is recognized in profit or loss on the date that the Company’s right to receive payment is established.

Finance costs comprise interest expense on borrowings and changes in the fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. Borrowing costs are recognized in profit or loss using the effective interest rate method.

Income taxes

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Current tax and deferred tax are recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to a business combination, or items recognized directly in equity or in other comprehensive income.

 

  (a) Current income tax

Current income tax is the expected income tax payable or receivable on the taxable profit or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. The taxable profit is different from the accounting profit for the period since the taxable profit is calculated excluding the temporary differences, which will be taxable or deductible in determining taxable profit of future periods, and non-taxable or non-deductible items from the accounting profit.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

  (b) Deferred income tax

The measurement of deferred income tax liabilities and deferred tax assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Company expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

The Company recognizes a deferred income tax liability for all taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures, except to the extent that the Company is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The Company recognizes a deferred income tax asset for deductible temporary differences arising from investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, to the extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilized. However, deferred income tax is not recognized for the following temporary differences: taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill, or the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting profit or loss nor taxable income.

The carrying amount of a deferred income tax asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and is reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow the benefit of part or all of that deferred tax asset to be utilized.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. The measurement of deferred income tax liabilities and deferred income tax assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Company expects, at the end of the reporting period to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset only if there is a legally enforceable right to offset the related current income tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority and they intend to settle current income tax liabilities and assets on a net basis.

Earnings per share

Management calculates basic earnings per share (“EPS”) data for the Company’s ordinary shares, which is presented at the end of the statement of comprehensive income. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for own shares held.

Operating segments

An operating segment is a component of the Company that : a) engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenditures, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Company’s other components, b) whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance and for which discrete financial information is available. Management has determined that the CODM of the Company is the CEO.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

With regard to construction segment, segment profit and loss is determined in the same way that consolidated profit after tax for the period is determined under IFRS except that revenues and expenses from the development and sale of certain residential real estate are determined by reference to the stage of completion of the contact activity at the end of the reporting period, while in the consolidated financial statements, they are recognized when an individual unit of residential real estate is delivered to the buyer. No adjustments are made for corporate allocations to segment profit and loss. In addition, segment assets and liabilities are measured based on total assets and liabilities in accordance with IFRS without any adjustment for corporate allocations, except that assets and liabilities in connection with the construction and sale of residential real estate are determined by reference to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the end of each period.

For the other segments, segment profit and loss is determined the same way that consolidated net after tax profit for the period is determined under IFRS without any adjustment for corporate allocations. The accounting policies used by each segment are consistent with the accounting policies used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Segment assets and liabilities are measured based on total assets and liabilities in accordance with IFRS without any adjustment for corporate allocations. Also, segment assets and liabilities are based on the separate financial statements of the entities instead of on consolidated basis. In addition, there are varying levels of transactions amongst the reportable segments. These transactions include sales of property, plant and assets, and rendering of construction service and so on. Inter-segment transactions are accounted for on an arm’s length basis.

Segment results that are reported to the CEO include items directly attributable to a segment and do not include allocated items. Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the period to acquire property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets other than goodwill.

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted

The following new standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards have been published and are mandatory for the Company for annual periods beginning after January 1, 2015, and the Company has not early adopted them.

 

  (a) IFRS No. 9 “Financial Instruments”

IFRS No. 9, published in July 2014, replaces the existing guidance in IAS No. 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. IFRS No. 9 includes revised guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments, a new expected credit loss model for calculating impairment on financial assets, and new general hedge accounting requirements. It also carries forward the guidance on recognition and derecognition of financial instruments from IAS No. 39. IFRS No. 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted.

As of December 31, 2015, the Company couldn’t estimate the impact on its consolidated financial statements resulting from the application of IFRS No. 9.

 

  (b) IFRS No. 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”

IFRS No. 15, published in June 2014, establishes a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is recognized. It replaces existing revenue recognition guidance, including IAS No. 18, Revenue, IAS No. 11, Construction

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

Contracts and IFRIC No. 13, Customer Loyalty Programmes. IFRS No. 15 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted.

As of December 31, 2015, The Company couldn’t estimate the impact on its consolidated financial statements resulting from the application of IFRS No. 15.

 

  (c) IFRS No. 16 “Leases”

IFRS No. 16, published in January 2016, replaces the existing guidance in IAS No. 17, Leases. IFRS No. 16 eliminates the classification of leases as either operating leases or finance leases for a lessee. Instead all leases are treated in a similar way to finance leases applying IAS No. 17. Leases are ‘capitalized’ by recognizing the present value of the lease payments and showing them either as lease assets (right-of-use assets) or together with property, plant and equipment. If lease payments are made over time, a company also recognizes a financial liability representing its obligation to make future lease payments. IFRS No. 16 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for companies that also adopt IFRS No. 15.

As of December 31, 2015, The Company couldn’t estimate the impact on its consolidated financial statements resulting from the application of IFRS No. 16.

 

4. Financial risk management

The Company has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

 

   

credit risk

 

   

liquidity risk

 

   

market risk

 

   

capital risk

This note presents information about the Company’s exposure to each of the above risks, the Company’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risk, and the Company’s management of capital. Further quantitative disclosures are included throughout these consolidated financial statements.

 

  (a) Financial risk management

 

  1) Risk management policy

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Company’s risk management framework. The Company’s risk management policies are established to identify and analyze the risks faced by the Company, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and the Company’s activities.

The Company, through its training and management standards and procedures, aims to develop a disciplined and constructive control environment in which all employees understand their roles and obligations.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

  2) Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations, and arises principally from the Company’s receivables from customers and investment securities. In addition, credit risk arises from finance guarantees.

The Company implements a credit risk management policy under which the Company only transacts business with counterparties that have a certain level of credit rate evaluated based on financial condition, historical experience, and other factors. The Company’s exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer. The default risk of a nation or an industry in which a customer operates its business does not have a significant influence on credit risk. The Company has established a credit policy under which each new customer is analyzed individually for creditworthiness.

The Company establishes an allowance for impairment that represents its estimate of incurred losses in respect of trade and other receivables. The main components of this allowance are a specific loss component that relates to individually significant exposures, and a collective loss component established for companies of similar assets in respect of losses that have been incurred but not yet identified. The collective loss allowance is determined based on historical data of payment statistics for similar financial assets. Debt securities are analyzed individually, and an expected loss shall be directly deducted from debt securities.

Credit risk also arises from transactions with financial institutions, and such transactions include transactions of cash and cash equivalents, various deposits, and financial instruments such as derivative contracts. The Company manages its exposure to this credit risk by only entering into transactions with banks that have high international credit ratings. The Company’s treasury department authorizes, manages, and overseas new transactions with financial institutions with whom the Company has no previous relationship. Furthermore, the Company limits its exposure to credit risk of financial guarantee contracts by strictly evaluating their necessity based on internal decision making processes, such as the approval of the Board of Directors.

 

  3) Liquidity risk management

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Company’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Company’s reputation.

The Company’s cash flow from business, borrowing or financing is sufficient to meet the cash requirements for the Company’s strategic investments. Management believes that the Company is capable of raising funds by borrowing or financing if the Company is not able to generate cash flow requirements from its operations. The Company has committed borrowing facilities with various banks.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

  4) Market risk management

Market risk means that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The goal of market risk management is optimization of profit and controlling the exposure to market risk within acceptable limits.

 

  Currency risk

Each segment is influenced by a risk factor of changes in foreign currency exchange rates for the different directions due to the difference in structure of each industry regarding the cash inflows and cash outflows in foreign currency. The steel segment and the engineering and construction segments have excessive foreign currency inflows, while other segment including entities in electricity industry has a lack of foreign currency cash inflows. The trading segment is structured such that the cash inflows and outflows of foreign currencies are to be offset; however, the trading segment is exposed to a risk of changes in foreign currency exchange rates when there are differences in currencies on receiving and paying the foreign currency amount and time differences.

The Company’s policy in respect of foreign currency risks is a natural hedge whereby foreign currency income is offset with foreign currency expenditures. The remaining net exposures after the natural hedge have been hedged using derivative contracts such as forward exchange contracts. In addition, the Company’s derivative transactions are limited to hedging actual foreign currency transactions and speculative hedging is not permitted. Based on this policy, the Company entities have performed currency risk management specific to various characteristics of different segments. The entities in the steel industry, which have excessive foreign currency inflows converted from lack, reduces the foreign currency exposure by repayment of foreign currency borrowings subjected to investment in overseas when its maturities come. The entities in the engineering and construction segments, which have excessive foreign currency cash flows, have hedged foreign currency risks by using forward exchange contracts. Entities in the trading industry have hedged foreign currency risks by using forward exchange contracts when the foreign currencies received and paid are different.

 

  Interest rate risk

The Company manages the exposure to interest rate risk by adjusting of borrowing structure ratio between borrowings at fixed interest rates and variable interest rate. The Company monitors interest rate risks regularly in order to avoid exposure to interest rate risk on borrowings at variable interest rate.

 

  Other market price risk

Equity price risk arises from listed equity securities among available-for-sale equity securities. Management of the Company measures regularly the fair value of listed equity securities and the risk of variance in future cash flow caused by market price fluctuations. Significant investments are managed separately and all buy and sell decisions are approved by management of the Company.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

  (b) Management of capital risk

The fundamental goal of capital management is the maximization of shareholders’ value by means of the stable dividend policy and the retirement of treasury shares. The capital structure of the Company consists of equity and net debt, deducting cash and cash equivalents and current financial instruments from borrowings. The Company applied the same financial risk management strategy that was applied in the previous period.

Net borrowing-to-equity ratio as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 is as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Total borrowings

       27,428,257        25,220,231   

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

     3,811,202        4,870,185   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net borrowings

     23,617,055        20,350,046   

Total equity

     45,257,396        45,013,201   

Net borrowings-to-equity ratio

     52.18     45.21

 

5. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014 (*1)      2015 (*1)  
     (in millions of Won)  

Cash

   2,100         2,632   

Demand deposits and checking accounts

     1,209,367         1,318,677   

Time deposits

     1,185,146         2,911,928   

Other cash equivalents (*2)

     1,414,589         636,948   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
       3,811,202         4,870,185   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 in the statement of cash flows are different from the amounts in the statement of financial position as disclosed above by 999 million and 210,934 million, as the information disclosed above does not include cash and cash equivalents held by POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd., and others which were classified as asset groups held for sale as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 (Note 10).

 

(*2) Mainly includes money market trust and others.

 

6. Trade Accounts and Notes Receivable

(a) Trade accounts and notes receivable as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Current

    

Trade accounts and notes receivable

       10,814,881        8,951,108   

Finance lease receivables

     24,344        21,042   

Unbilled due from customers for contract work

     1,406,678        1,199,497   

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (581,316     (596,383
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   11,664,587        9,575,264   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current

    

Trade accounts and notes receivable

   60,583        126,200   

Finance lease receivables

     42,907        22,758   

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (24,154     (28,620
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   79,336        120,338   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

Trade accounts and notes receivable sold to financial institutions, for which the derecognition conditions were not met, amounted to 2,030,342 million and 846,676 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The fair value of trade accounts and notes receivable approximates the carrying amounts and trade accounts and notes receivable are included in short-term borrowings from financial institutions (Note 17).

(b) Finance lease receivables are as follows:

 

Customer

  

Contents

   2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Korea Electric Power Corporation

   Combined thermal power plant#1~4    66,858         42,536   

KC CHEMICAL Co., Ltd.

   Machinery and equipment      393         380   

Hystech Co. Ltd.

   Machinery and equipment              884   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
          67,251         43,800   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

(c) The gross amount and present value of minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
    

(in millions of Won)

 

Less than 1 year

   32,302        27,382   

1 year – 5 years

     51,999        25,643   

Unrealized interest income

     (17,050     (9,225
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Present value of minimum lease payment

   67,251        43,800   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

7. Other Receivables

Other receivables as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Current

    

Short-term loans

   254,108        405,281   

Other accounts receivable

     1,523,659        1,255,075   

Accrued income

     76,393        136,762   

Deposits

     58,384        89,444   

Others

     227,192        20,383   

Less : Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (183,520     (227,066
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,956,216        1,679,879   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current

    

Long-term loans

   960,652        725,968   

Long-term other accounts receivable

     158,018        142,290   

Accrued income

     1,533        1,236   

Deposits

     189,120        141,373   

Less : Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (165,163     (147,609
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,144,160        863,258   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

8. Other Financial Assets

Other financial assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Current

     

Derivatives assets held for trading

   77,182         94,603   

Available-for-sale securities

     25,512         17,994   

Current portion of held-to-maturity securities

     15,297         21,490   

Short-term financial instruments (*1,2)

     1,344,929         3,776,300   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
       1,462,920         3,910,387   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Derivatives assets held for trading (*3)

   19,084         93,886   

Available-for-sale securities (equity instruments) (*4,5)

     2,294,244         2,095,206   

Available-for-sale securities (bonds)

     33,350         36,914   

Available-for-sale securities (others)

     67,135         59,630   

Held-to-maturity securities

     1,796         1,889   

Long-term financial instruments (*2)

     40,291         53,935   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   2,455,900         2,341,460   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, 5,465 million and 6,593 million, respectively, are restricted for use in a government project.

 

(*2) As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, financial instruments amounting to 177,014 million and 105,195 million, respectively, are restricted for use in financial arrangements, pledge and others.

 

(*3) The Company assessed the values of its put option and earn-out consideration in relation to the residual equity upon the Company’s disposal of SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.). Accordingly, the Company has recognized derivatives assets for the values of both amounting to 63,300 million and 14,992 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2015.

 

(*4) During the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, there were objective evidences of impairment for listed equity securities such as Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and others due to the significant decline in the fair value of the shares or the continuous decline for a prolonged period and non-listed equity securities such as Dongbu Metal Co., Ltd and others since those carrying amounts significantly exceed those fair values. As a result, an impairment loss of 369,723 million and 142,781 million was recognized in profit or loss during the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

 

(*5) As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, 173,632 million and 124,541 million of available-for-sale securities, respectively, have been provided as collateral for borrowings, construction projects and others.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

9. Inventories

(a) Inventories as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Finished goods

   1,647,331        1,381,018   

Merchandise

     902,347        715,951   

Semi-finished goods

     1,654,556        1,390,382   

Raw materials

     2,334,992        1,868,773   

Fuel and materials

     759,193        810,516   

Construction inventories

     1,831,383        1,169,748   

Materials-in-transit

     2,109,207        1,382,291   

Others

     96,274        79,581   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     11,335,283        8,798,260   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Allowance for inventories valuation

     (161,940     (231,378
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   11,173,343        8,566,882   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(b) The changes of allowance for inventories valuation for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2013     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Beginning

   214,795        189,282        161,940   

Loss on valuation of inventories

     49,172        41,713        152,952   

Write-off

     (73,220     (69,996     (77,102

Reversal and others

     (1,465     941        (6,412
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

   189,282        161,940        231,378   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

10. Assets Held for Sale

Details of assets held for sale and related liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     Controlling
company  (*3,7)
     Subsidiaries  (*4,5,6,7)      Total      Controlling
company  (*1)
     Subsidiaries  (*2,7)      Total  
     (in millions of Won)  

Assets

                 

Cash and cash equivalents

           210,934         210,934                 999         999   

Trade accounts and notes receivable and other receivables

             90,811         90,811                 7,724         7,724   

Other financial assets

     580,062         21,028         601,090                           

Inventories

             289,716         289,716                 2,129         2,129   

Property, plant and equipment

     2,672         895,391         898,063         25,892         10,383         36,275   

Intangible assets

             7,627         7,627                 1,049         1,049   

Other assets

             28,846         28,846                 9,105         9,105   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   582,734         1,544,353         2,127,087         25,892         31,389         57,281   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

                 

Trade accounts and notes payable and other payables

           225,403         225,403                 6,028         6,028   

Borrowings

             330,059         330,059                 26,500         26,500   

Other liabilities

             35,520         35,520                 1,674         1,674   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
           590,982         590,982                 34,202         34,202   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) The Company determined to exchange 1FINEX facilities with the shares of newly established company in India, and has signed in Memorandum of Association (MOA) with Uttam Galva Steels Limited in India. The Company has classified the related facilities of 25,892 million as assets held for sale.

 

(*2) The Company determined to dispose of its shares in POSCO LED Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, and agreed to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Armitron consortium on December 30, 2015. The Company classified the accompanying assets and liabilities as assets and liabilities held for sale.

 

(*3) During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company determined to dispose of its shares in Nacional Minerios S.A., which was an available-for-sale investment of the Company, in exchange for shares in the newly incorporated entity as Nacional Minerios S.A. entered into a merger agreement with another entity. Accordingly, the Company classified its investment in Nacional Minerios S.A. as assets held for sale. The Company recognized 95,737 million of impairment loss on assets held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2015 since the fair value less cost to sell was below carrying amount. The accompanying transaction was completed during the year ended December 31, 2015, and the Company recognized 188,927 million of loss on disposal of assets held for sale.

 

(*4) The Company determined to dispose of 52.2% of its shares in SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.) to SeAH Besteel Corp. and classified the accompanying investment in the subsidiary as assets and liabilities held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2014. Disposal of the asset held for sale was completed during the year ended December 31, 2015, and the Company recognized 161,579 million of gain on disposal of assets held for sale.

 

(*5) The Company determined to dispose of the shares in POSFINE Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, to Hahn & Company PRIVATE EQUITY FUND No.1, and classified the accompanying investment in the subsidiary as assets and liabilities held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2014. Disposal of the assets and liabilities held for sale was completed during the year ended December 31, 2015, and the Company recognized 38,843 million of gain on disposal of assets held for sale.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

 

(*6) Daewoo International Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company, determined to dispose its Daewoo Department Store located in Masan and classified the assets and liabilities of the accompanying department as assets and liabilities held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2014. Disposal of the assets held for sale was completed during the year ended December 31, 2015, and the Company recognized 121 million of gain on disposal of assets held for sale.

 

(*7) Besides the above, the controlling company and subsidiaries of the Company (POSCO M-TECH, POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd., POSCO CHEMTECH and POSCO AST) determined to dispose of certain tangible assets including land and disused facilities and classified them as assets held for sale.

 

11. Investments in Associates and Joint ventures

(a) Investments in associates and joint ventures as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Investments in associates

   1,626,801         1,875,971   

Investments in joint ventures

     2,433,706         2,069,362   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
       4,060,507         3,945,333   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(b) Details of investments in associates as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  

Company

   Book value      Number of
shares
     Ownership
(%)
     Acquisition
cost
     Book value  
     (in millions of Won)  

[Domestic]

              

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natural Resources PEF

   176,899         178,565         28.93       178,566       175,676   

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd. (*1)

             133,711,880         73.94         217,282         171,218   

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel
(formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel
Co., Ltd.) (*2,3,5)

             7,190,000         19.94         159,978         165,754   

SNNC

     131,671         18,130,000         49.00         90,650         111,326   

QSONE Co., Ltd.

     83,849         200,000         50.00         84,395         83,919   

UITrans LRT Co., Ltd. (*4)

     30,098         6,350,997         38.19         31,755         40,903   

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd. (*4)

     43,045         9,032,539         22.32         45,163         39,447   

BLUE OCEAN Private Equity Fund

     31,439         333         27.52         33,300         35,437   

Chuncheon Energy Corp.

             6,573,600         29.90         32,868         30,420   

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth NO. 2. Private Equity Fund (*5)

     12,268         15,475         12.50         15,475         14,829   

Daesung Steel Co. (*5)

             108,038         17.54         14,000         14,000   

Keystone-HYUNDAI SECURITIES NO. 1. Private Equity Fund

             13,800,000         40.45         13,800         13,015   

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd (*4)

     19,801         2,008,000         25.10         10,040         12,265   

KONES, Corp.

     5,430         3,250,000         41.67         6,893         5,775   

Others (30 companies) (*4)

     33,511                  33,933   
  

 

 

             

 

 

 
     568,011                  947,917   
  

 

 

             

 

 

 

[Foreign]

              

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     172,805         135,219,000         25.04         150,779         222,269   

AES-VCM Mong Duong Power Company Limited

     93,021                 30.00         74,161         153,271   

7623704 Canada Inc. (*5)

     117,100         114,452,000         10.40         124,341         134,034   

Eureka Moly LLC

     228,004                 20.00         240,123         87,878   

Nickel Mining Company SAS

     107,408         3,234,698         49.00         157,585         76,445   

AMCI (WA) PTY LTD

     88,050         49         49.00         209,664         72,289   

KOREA LNG LTD.

     72,089         2,400         20.00         135,205         53,548   

NCR LLC

     32,598                 29.41         32,348         35,447   

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     21,032         10,200,000         34.00         9,517         19,311   

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     14,653         128,285         24.10         14,785         15,382   

PT. Wampu Electric Power (*4)

     7,611         8,708,400         20.00         10,044         8,855   

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     6,969         50         25.00         4,723         7,061   

CAML RESOURCES PTY LTD

     38,240         3,239         33.34         40,388           

Others (22 companies) (*4)

     59,210                  42,264   
  

 

 

             

 

 

 
     1,058,790                  928,054   
  

 

 

             

 

 

 
   1,626,801                1,875,971   
  

 

 

             

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) On September 30, 2015, in order to improve its financial standing and normalize operation, the associate reached a workout agreement with its Creditor Financial Institutions Committee. As a result, the Company lost its control and classified its shares as investment in an associate.

 

(*2) During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company disposed of 52.2% of shares in SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.), which resulted in the Company’s loss of control, and the Company classified the remaining investment as investment in an associate.

 

(*3) During the year ended December 31, 2015, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd. changed its corporate name to SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(*4) Investment in associates is provided as collateral related to associates’ borrowings amounting to 110,721 million and 101,360 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

 

(*5) As of December 31, 2015, it was classified as an associate even though the Company’s ownership percentage is less than 20% since the Company has significant influence over the investee when considering its structure of the Board of Directors and others.

(c) Details of investments in joint ventures as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  

Company

   Book value      Number of
shares
     Ownership
(%)
     Acquisition
cost
     Book value  
     (in millions of Won)  

[Domestic]

              

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

   112,837         11,568,000         60.00       115,680       104,970   

POSCO ES MATERIALS

     38,021         1,000,000         50.00         43,000         38,447   
  

 

 

             

 

 

 
     150,858                  143,417   
  

 

 

             

 

 

 

[Foreign]

              

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd (*1)

     1,268,678         13,117,972         12.50         1,528,672         1,153,434   

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

     357,874         325,050,000         50.00         364,609         381,461   

DMSA/AMSA (* 2)

     165,094                 4.07         265,612         105,964   

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

     98,893                 25.00         61,961         100,908   

CSP — Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     260,906         827,771,230         20.00         469,891         80,805   

KOBRASCO

     99,787         2,010,719,185         50.00         32,950         78,364   

Others (11 companies)

     31,616                  25,009   
  

 

 

             

 

 

 
     2,282,848                  1,925,945   
  

 

 

             

 

 

 
        2,433,706                     2,069,362   
  

 

 

             

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, investment in joint ventures amounting to 1,268,678 million and 1,153,434 million, respectively, are provided as collateral in relation to loan.

 

(*2) As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, investment in joint ventures amounting to 165,094 million and 105,964 million, respectively, are provided as collateral for the joint venture’s guarantees.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(d) The movements of investments in associates and joint ventures for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

1) For the year ended December 31, 2014

 

Company

  December 31,
2013
Book value
    Acquisition     Dividends     Share of
profits (losses)
    Other increase
(decrease) (*1)
    December 31,
2014
Book value
 
    (in millions of Won)  

[Domestic]

           

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natural Resources PEF

  177,563                      (664            176,899   

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

    234,203        25,356               (210,616     (48,943       

SNNC

    123,969               (5,149     13,873        (1,022     131,671   

QSONE Co., Ltd.

    84,096                      (247            83,849   

UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.

    19,185        2,330               8,583               30,098   

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd.

    37,759        8,331               (340     (2,705     43,045   

BLUE OCEAN Private Equity Fund

    29,391                      2,193        (145     31,439   

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth

           

NO. 2. Private Equity Fund

    6,685        6,113               (530            12,268   

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY

           

DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd

    23,733                      (3,714     (218     19,801   

KONES, Corp.

    5,784                      (378     24        5,430   

Gunggi Green Energy

    4,996                      (354            4,642   

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

    115,708                      (2,835     (36     112,837   

POSCO ES MATERIALS

    40,386                      (2,229     (136     38,021   

Others (31 companies)

    52,761        12,875               (24,284     (12,483     28,869   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    956,219        55,005        (5,149     (221,542     (65,664     718,869   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

[Foreign]

           

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

    140,202                      25,638        6,965        172,805   

AES-VCM Mong Duong Power

           

Company Limited

    81,436                      (3,845     15,430        93,021   

7623704 Canada Inc.

    119,516               (5,505     (1,678     4,767        117,100   

Eureka Moly LLC

    217,513                      (37     10,528        228,004   

Nickel Mining Company SAS

    135,178                      (17,391     (10,379     107,408   

AMCI (WA) PTY LTD

    98,467                      (6,477     (3,940     88,050   

KOREA LNG LTD.

    64,453               (18,668     18,613        7,691        72,089   

NCR LLC

    30,496                      (3,984     6,086        32,598   

CAML RESOURCES PTY LTD

    43,820                      (2,191     (3,389     38,240   

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

    20,600               (352     378        406        21,032   

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

           14,785                      (132     14,653   

PT. Wampu Electric Power

    7,237                      134        240        7,611   

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

    6,083                      679        207        6,969   

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

    9,464               (1,850     7               7,621   

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

    825,901        530,492               (14,783     (72,932     1,268,678   

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

    343,590               (16,414     16,370        14,328        357,874   

DMSA/AMSA

    180,355                      (21,793     6,532        165,094   

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

    96,309                      943        1,641        98,893   

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

    263,419        75,966               (57,127     (21,352     260,906   

KOBRASCO

    95,233               (18,429     30,356        (7,373     99,787   

Others (34 companies)

    73,202        50,605        (858     (42,163     2,419        83,205   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2,852,474        671,848        (62,076     (78,351     (42,257     3,341,638   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      3,808,693        726,853        (67,225     (299,893     (107,921     4,060,507   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1) Other increase or decrease represents the changes in investments in associates and joint ventures due to disposals and change in capital adjustments arising from translations of financial statements of foreign investees and others.

 

F-59


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

2) For the year ended December 31, 2015

 

Company

   December 31,
2014
Book value
     Acquisition      Dividends     Share of
profits (losses)
    Other
increase
(decrease)  (*1)
    December 31,
2015
Book value
 
     (in millions of Won)  

[Domestic]

  

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natural Resources PEF

   176,899                        (1,223            175,676   

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

             217,282                (46,058     (6     171,218   

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.)

             159,978                6,464        (688     165,754   

SNNC

     131,671                        (20,566     221        111,326   

QSONE Co., Ltd.

     83,849                        70               83,919   

UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.

     30,098         9,777                1,086        (58     40,903   

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd.

     43,045                        (3,910     312        39,447   

BLUE OCEAN Private Equity Fund

     31,439                        5,645        (1,647     35,437   

Chuncheon Energy Corp.

             32,853                (2,433            30,420   

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth NO. 2. Private Equity Fund

     12,268         3,725                211        (1,375     14,829   

Daesung Steel Co.

             14,000                              14,000   

Keystone-HYUNDAI SECURITIES NO. 1. Private Equity Fund

             13,800                (451     (334     13,015   

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd

     19,801                        (7,536            12,265   

KONES, Corp.

     5,430                        311        34        5,775   

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

     112,837                        (7,841     (26     104,970   

POSCO ES MATERIALS

     38,021                        440        (14     38,447   

Others (30 companies)

     33,511         3,800                2,877        (6,255     33,933   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     718,869         455,215                (72,914     (9,836     1,091,334   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

[Foreign]

              

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     172,805                 (18,602     54,351        13,715        222,269   

AES-VCM Mong Duong Power Company Limited

     93,021         23,146                29,561        7,543        153,271   

7623704 Canada Inc.

     117,100                 (1,775     10,875        7,834        134,034   

Eureka Moly LLC

     228,004                        (147,270     7,144        87,878   

Nickel Mining Company SAS

     107,408                        (25,562     (5,401     76,445   

AMCI (WA) PTY LTD

     88,050                        (11,222     (4,539     72,289   

KOREA LNG LTD.

     72,089                 (12,195     12,362        (18,708     53,548   

NCR LLC

     32,598                        (62     2,911        35,447   

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     21,032                 (376     (1,787     442        19,311   

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     14,653                               729        15,382   

PT. Wampu Electric Power

     7,611         1,015                (261     490        8,855   

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     6,969                        (76     168        7,061   

CAML RESOURCES PTY LTD

     38,240                        (34,987     (3,253       

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

     1,268,678                        (61,589     (53,655     1,153,434   

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

     357,874                 (13,177     12,967        23,797        381,461   

DMSA/AMSA

     165,094         72,430                (137,723     6,163        105,964   

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

     98,893                        291        1,724        100,908   

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     260,906                        (145,206     (34,895     80,805   

KOBRASCO

     99,787                 (24,380     31,124        (28,167     78,364   

Others (33 companies)

     90,826         2,839         (5,506     (18,926     (1,960     67,273   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     3,341,638         99,430         (76,011     (433,140     (77,918     2,853,999   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       4,060,507         554,645         (76,011     (506,054     (87,754     3,945,333   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1) Other increase or decrease represents the changes in investments in associates and joint ventures due to disposals, change in capital adjustments arising from translations of financial statements of foreign investees and others.

 

F-60


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(e) Summarized financial information of associates and joint ventures as of and for years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 is as follows:

1) December 31, 2014

 

Company

   Assets      Liabilities      Equity (deficit)     Sales      Net income (loss)  
     (in millions of Won)  

[Domestic]

             

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natural Resources PEF

   621,960         1,044         620,916                (576

SNNC

     826,597         528,246         298,351        345,836         41,117   

QSONE Co., Ltd.

     247,590         79,891         167,699        13,674         (603

UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.

     169,574         117,996         51,578                (887

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd.

     337,639         172,464         165,175                (1,148

BLUE OCEAN Private Equity Fund

     361,810         247,573         114,237        574,476         8,489   

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth NO. 2. Private Equity Fund

     100,063         1,917         98,146        1,932         (4,238

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd

     256,207         208,960         47,247        5,240         (14,798

KONES, Corp.

     3,756         3,155         601        7,269         (907

Gunggi Green Energy

     328,976         264,278         64,698        124,181         (4,720

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

     405,387         218,275         187,112                (4,725

POSCO ES MATERIALS

     64,088         19,602         44,486        13,403         (4,459

[Foreign]

             

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     1,997,068         1,306,957         690,111        353,439         102,385   

7623704 Canada Inc.

     1,138,126         4         1,138,122                (612

Nickel Mining Company SAS

     410,230         140,860         269,370        133,975         (24,800

KOREA LNG LTD.

     393,581         45         393,536        94,936         93,067   

CAML RESOURCES PTY LTD

     159,281         38,591         120,690        172,093         (6,570

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     148,077         80,538         67,539        186,733         1,112   

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     100,142         151,591         (51,449     1,309         (2,110

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

     38,388         26,942         11,446        103,877         73   

PT. Wampu Electric Power

     172,950         138,012         34,938        43,184         670   

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     66,097         38,572         27,525        80,059         2,636   

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd.

     6,809,416         3,431,438         3,377,978                (118,264

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

     715,546                 715,546                32,741   

DMSA/AMSA

     8,938,860         5,918,665         3,020,195        695,505         (544,837

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

     816,813         448,854         367,959        1,290,490         3,771   

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     3,060,008         1,467,004         1,593,004                (90,649

KOBRASCO

     234,595         35,021         199,574        99,677         60,712   

 

F-61


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

2) December 31, 2015

 

Company

   Assets      Liabilities      Equity
(deficit)
    Sales      Net
income
(loss)
 
     (in millions of Won)  

[Domestic]

             

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natural Resources PEF

       607,966         1,043         606,923                (1,231

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

     609,655         725,406         (115,751     457,180         (330,819

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.)

     1,293,143         568,639         724,504        971,557         23,403   

SNNC

     793,480         551,830         241,650        509,044         (57,156

QSONE Co., Ltd.

     249,482         81,644         167,838        15,068         140   

UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.

     343,744         267,543         76,201                (846

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd.

     648,602         458,137         190,465                (1,567

BLUE OCEAN Private Equity Fund

     380,000         244,316         135,684        492,065         24,422   

Chuncheon Energy Corp.

     149,025         42,094         106,931                (2,389

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth NO. 2. Private Equity Fund

     119,747         1,112         118,635        5,012         1,804   

Daesung Steel Co.

     163,331         115,475         47,856        13,798         (1,725

Keystone-HYUNDAI SECURITIES NO. 1. Private Equity Fund

     68,315         31,626         36,689                (1,956

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY
DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd

     154,695         137,471         17,224        21,518         (30,023

KONES, Corp.

     3,544         2,114         1,430        5,337         746   

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

     489,393         315,392         174,001                (13,068

POSCO ES MATERIALS

     84,719         39,381         45,338        29,214         880   

[Foreign]

             

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     2,223,846         1,333,048         890,798        554,927         220,203   

7623704 Canada Inc.

     1,300,951         7         1,300,944        76,114         118,007   

Nickel Mining Company SAS

     445,685         238,695         206,990        155,980         (45,748

KOREA LNG LTD.

     257,773         36         257,737        63,574         61,806   

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     107,874         45,534         62,340        114,994         (5,783

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     286,761         268,933         17,828                  

PT. Wampu Electric Power

     201,383         160,159         41,224        17,473         (1,304

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     65,973         38,336         27,637        67,700         (403

CAML RESOURCES PTY LTD

     136,112         41,768         94,344        146,909         (20,110

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

     9,295,492         6,584,536         2,710,956                (492,709

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

     762,719                 762,719                25,935   

DMSA/AMSA

     6,415,380         4,812,244         1,603,136        737,604         (3,308,836

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

     703,408         327,391         376,017        936,590         1,162   

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     3,839,967         3,319,880         520,087                (721,937

KOBRASCO

     187,823         31,094         156,729        94,169         62,248   

 

12. Joint Operations

Details of significant joint operations that the Company is participating in as a party to a joint arrangement as of December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

Joint operations

   Operation      Ownership (%)      Location  

Myanmar A-1/A-3 mine

     Mine development         51.00         Myanmar   

Offshore midstream

     Mine development         51.00         Myanmar   

Greenhills mine

     Mine development         20.00         Canada   

Arctos Anthracite coal project

     Mine development         20.00         Canada   

Mt. Thorley J/V

     Mine development         20.00         Australia   

POSMAC J/V

     Mine development         20.00         Australia   

CD J/V

     Mine development         5.00         Australia   

RUM J/V

     Mine development         10.00         Australia   

 

F-62


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

13. Investment Property, Net

(a) Investment property as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     Acquisition
cost
     Accumulated
depreciation
and
impairment
loss
    Book
value
     Acquisition
cost
     Accumulated
depreciation
and
impairment
loss
    Book
value
 
     (in millions of Won)  

Land

   447,350         (31,838     415,512         378,717         (31,838     346,879   

Buildings

     681,924         (90,277     591,647         806,030         (109,504     696,526   

Structures

     4,058         (1,998     2,060         3,971         (2,152     1,819   

Construction-in-progress

     46,373                46,373         39,068                39,068   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       1,179,705         (124,113     1,055,592         1,227,786         (143,494     1,084,292   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2015, the fair value of investment property is 1,513,111 million, among which the Company evaluated the investment property of three subsidiaries, including HOTEL LAONZENA acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015, as its book value since it is believed that the book value of 70,607 million approximates fair value. Also, the Company used the prior year’s fair value for some of the investment property since it is believed to be approximately the same as prior year’s fair value.

(b) Changes in the carrying value of investment property for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

1) For the year ended December 31, 2014

 

     Beginning     Acquisitions     Business
combination
    Disposals     Depreciation (*1)     Others (*2)     Ending  
    (in millions of Won)  

Land

  161,502        97,883        13        (20,500            176,614        415,512   

Buildings

    239,193        195,722        208        (19,212     (12,858     188,594        591,647   

Structures

    3,599                             (413     (1,126     2,060   

Construction-in-progress

    20,935        112,998                             (87,560     46,373   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      425,229        406,603        221        (39,712     (13,271     276,522        1,055,592   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Impairment loss on investment property amounting to 23 million is included.

 

(*2) Includes reclassification resulting from changing purpose of use, adjustment of foreign currency translation difference and others.

2) For the year ended December 31, 2015

 

    Beginning     Acquisitions     Business
combination
    Disposals     Depreciation  (*1)     Others (*2)     Ending  
    (in millions of Won)  

Land

  415,512        2,665        5,964        (433     (85     (76,744     346,879   

Buildings

    591,647        49,281        26,750        (909     (25,391     55,148        696,526   

Structures

    2,060        40                      (173     (108     1,819   

Construction-in-progress

    46,373        9,492                             (16,797     39,068   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      1,055,592        61,478        32,714        (1,342     (25,649     (38,501     1,084,292   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Impairment loss on investment property amounting to 85 million is included.

 

(*2) Includes reclassification resulting from changing purpose of use, adjustment of foreign currency translation difference and others.

 

F-63


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

14. Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

(a) Property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014     2015  
    Acquisition
cost
    Accumulated
depreciation
and
impairment
loss
    Government
grants
    Book
value
    Acquisition
cost
    Accumulated
depreciation
and
impairment
loss
    Government
grants
    Book
value
 
    (in millions of Won)  

Land

  2,801,288                      2,801,288        2,572,807                      2,572,807   

Buildings

    8,824,462        (3,460,858     (4,280     5,359,324        8,982,405        (3,816,242     (438     5,165,725   

Structures

    5,106,863        (2,076,499     (201     3,030,163        5,217,953        (2,268,465     (75     2,949,413   

Machinery and equipment

    43,972,182        (22,771,455     (842     21,199,885        45,547,591        (24,453,433     (415     21,093,743   

Vehicles

    304,346        (247,611     (40     56,695        303,366        (251,315     (46     52,005   

Tools

    360,625        (296,517     (39     64,069        372,440        (298,586     (376     73,478   

Furniture and fixtures

    577,126        (433,330     (14     143,782        590,046        (441,565     (382     148,099   

Finance lease assets

    162,154        (82,073            80,081        168,601        (75,805            92,796   

Construction-in-progress

    2,511,009               (5,101     2,505,908        2,379,890               (5,101     2,374,789   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      64,620,055        (29,368,343     (10,517     35,241,195        66,135,099        (31,605,411     (6,833     34,522,855   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(b) Changes in the carrying value of property, plant and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

1) For the year ended December 31, 2014

 

    Beginning     Acquisitions     Business
combination
    Disposals     Depreciation (*1)     Others (*2)     Ending  
    (in millions of Won)  

Land

  2,708,010        92,645        146,755        (10,410     (1,839     (133,873     2,801,288   

Buildings

    4,888,835        97,701        72,483        (18,968     (372,445     691,718        5,359,324   

Structures

    2,784,587        42,341        15,525        (3,517     (223,487     414,714        3,030,163   

Machinery and equipment

    19,442,836        372,448        26,998        (45,777     (2,194,014     3,597,394        21,199,885   

Vehicles

    51,033        17,665        614        (2,136     (20,166     9,685        56,695   

Tools

    62,853        29,351        4,210        (578     (33,480     1,713        64,069   

Furniture and fixtures

    173,152        41,113        1,599        (2,291     (70,938     1,147        143,782   

Finance lease assets

    100,524        2,710               (31     (29,825     6,703        80,081   

Construction-in-progress

    5,548,289        2,804,568        19,156        (14,088            (5,852,017     2,505,908   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      35,760,119        3,500,542        287,340        (97,796     (2,946,194     (1,262,816     35,241,195   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment amounting to 64,833 million are included.

 

(*2) Includes reclassification for changing purpose of use, adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

 

F-64


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

2) For the year ended December 31, 2015

 

     Beginning     Acquisitions     Business
combination
    Disposals     Depreciation (*1)     Others (*2)     Ending  
    (in millions of Won)  

Land

  2,801,288        47,858        12,520        (30,222     (1,517     (257,120     2,572,807   

Buildings

    5,359,324        57,042        56,156        (20,759     (349,774     63,736        5,165,725   

Structures

    3,030,163        23,149               (3,819     (213,550     113,470        2,949,413   

Machinery and equipment

    21,199,885        239,430        301        (74,445     (2,244,183     1,972,755        21,093,743   

Vehicles

    56,695        9,735               (1,601     (18,221     5,397        52,005   

Tools

    64,069        25,230        1,714        (1,169     (29,401     13,035        73,478   

Furniture and fixtures

    143,782        43,697        1,497        (1,502     (63,754     24,379        148,099   

Finance lease assets

    80,081        598        157        (98     (9,026     21,084        92,796   

Construction-in-progress

    2,505,908        2,245,729               (4,418     (17,846     (2,354,584     2,374,789   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      35,241,195        2,692,468        72,345        (138,033     (2,947,272     (397,848     34,522,855   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment amounting to 136,269 million are included.

 

(*2) Includes reclassification for changing purpose of use, adjustment of foreign currency translation differences and others.

(c) Borrowing costs capitalized and the capitalized interest rate for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Weighted average expenditure

   1,772,492         1,733,503   

Borrowing costs capitalized

     76,566         40,990   

Capitalization rate (%)

     1.69 ~ 4.19         3.02 ~ 4.24   

(d) Property, plant and equipment and investment property pledged as collateral as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

    

Collateral right holder

   2014      2015  
          (in millions of Won)  

Land (* 1)

   Korean Development Bank and others       1,040,850         826,802   

Buildings and structures (* 1)

   Korean Development Bank and others      1,324,597         1,446,605   

Machinery and equipment

   Korean Development Bank and others      3,594,331         4,260,206   

Tools

   Korean Development Bank      104         162   

Construction-in-progress

   Export-Import Bank of Korea              1,000,318   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
         5,959,882         7,534,093   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Investment property and other assets (land-use right) are included.

 

F-65


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

15. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net

(a) Goodwill and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

    2014     2015  
    Acquisition
cost
    Accumulated
amortization
and
impairment
    Government
grants
    Book value     Acquisition
cost
    Accumulated
amortization
and
impairment
    Government
grants
    Book value  
    (in millions of Won)  

Goodwill

  1,932,065        (136,921            1,795,144        1,660,395        (198,441            1,461,954   

Intellectual property rights

    2,910,143        (146,544     (920     2,762,679        2,848,990        (181,098     (806     2,667,086   

Premium in rental

    150,438        (19,496            130,942        148,141        (20,192            127,949   

Development expense

    330,365        (161,263     (356     168,746        337,318        (201,278     (244     135,796   

Port facilities usage rights

    506,125        (349,681            156,444        625,991        (361,190            264,801   

Exploration and evaluation assets

    123,025        (30,566            92,459        181,710        (30,566            151,144   

Customer relationships

    859,023        (217,398            641,625        857,417        (297,608            559,809   

Power generation permit

    539,405                      539,405        539,405                      539,405   

Other intangible assets

    1,159,574        (562,014     (15     597,545        966,761        (468,934     (17     497,810   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  8,510,163        (1,623,883     (1,291     6,884,989        8,166,128        (1,759,307     (1,067     6,405,754   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(b) The changes in carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

1) For the year ended December 31, 2014

 

    Beginning     Acquisitions     Business
combination
    Disposals     Amortization     Impairment
loss
    Others (*3)     Ending  
    (in millions of Won)  

Goodwill (*1)

  1,615,938               187,285                      (11,297     3,218        1,795,144   

Intellectual property rights

    1,474,859        199,850        32        (218     (143,548     (27,720     1,259,424        2,762,679   

Premium in rental (*2)

    131,267        8,775        1,661        (4,484     (265     (2,609     (3,403     130,942   

Development expense

    61,102        18,032        2,659        (3,484     (56,453     (9,366     156,256        168,746   

Port facilities usage rights

    167,111        433                      (12,462            1,362        156,444   

Exploration and evaluation assets

    359,748        32,191                             (718     (298,762     92,459   

Mining development assets

    968,191        1,484                                    (969,675       

Customer relationships

    692,880                             (53,969            2,714        641,625   

Power generation permit (*4)

                  539,405                                    539,405   

Other intangible assets (*5)

    458,744        262,076        88,808        (665     (77,243     (717     (133,458     597,545   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      5,929,840        522,841        819,850        (8,851     (343,940     (52,427     17,676        6,884,989   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) During the year ended December 31, 2014, goodwill arising from business combination amounting to 180,418 million were included in relation to the acquisition of POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

 

(*2) Premium in rental includes memberships with indefinite useful lives.

 

(*3) Includes reclassification, adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

 

(*4) POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD. recognized power generation permit amounting to 539,405 million in relation to operation permit for electricity business when acquiring POSPOWER CO., Ltd.

 

(*5) During the year ended December 31, 2014, POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION., LTD. recognized other intangible assets and other provisions amounting to 169,000 million in relation to project financing agreements on the Urban Development Project in Gaepo-dong, Seoul.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

2) For the year ended December 31, 2015

 

     Beginning      Acquisitions      Disposals     Amortization     Impairment
loss
    Others (*2)     Ending  
     (in millions of Won)  

Goodwill

   1,795,144                               (99,052     (234,138     1,461,954   

Intellectual property rights

     2,762,679         127,112         (3,921     (192,660     (20,725     (5,399     2,667,086   

Premium in rental (*1)

     130,942         13,530         (10,594     (171     (2,413     (3,345     127,949   

Development expense

     168,746         6,749         (1,084     (53,740     (3,034     18,159        135,796   

Port facilities usage rights

     156,444                        (11,810            120,167        264,801   

Exploration and evaluation assets

     92,459         61,427                              (2,742     151,144   

Customer relationships

     641,625                        (51,808     (28,402     (1,606     559,809   

Power generation permit

     539,405                                             539,405   

Other intangible assets

     597,545         88,105         (488     (71,394     (7,531     (108,427     497,810   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   6,884,989         296,923         (16,087     (381,583     (161,157     (217,331     6,405,754   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Premium in rental includes memberships with indefinite useful lives.

 

(*2) Includes reclassification, adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

(c) For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to individually operating entities which are determined to be CGUs. The goodwill amounts as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

Reporting segments

   Total number of CGUs                     
   2014      2015     

CGUs

   2014      2015  
                        (in millions of Won)  

Steel

     10         9       POSCO VST CO., LTD.    36,955         36,955   
         POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited (* 3)      16,206           
         Others      13,623         13,279   

Trading

     3         3       Daewoo International Corporation (*1)      1,163,922         1,163,922   
         Others      9,918         7,638   

E&C

     5         4       POSCO Engineering Co., Ltd. (*2)      194,637         194,637   
         POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd. (*4,5)      180,418           
         EPC EQUITIES LLP (*3)      44,719           
         Others      14,802         12,558   

Others

     9         7       POSCO ENERGY Co., LTD.      26,471         26,471   
         PONUTech Co., Ltd (*5)      77,298           
         Others      16,175         6,494   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     27         23              1,795,144         1,461,954   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Recoverable amounts of Daewoo International Corporation are determined based on its value in use. As of December 31, 2015, value in use is estimated by applying 7.0% discount rate and 1.8% terminal growth rate with five years, the period for the estimated future cash flows, based on management’s business plan. The key assumption for the estimated future cash flow projections for the next five years is the revenue growth rate. The terminal growth rate does not exceed long-term average growth rate of its industry. No impairment loss on goodwill was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2015 as the recoverable amount exceeded the carrying value of the CGU.

 

     The estimated recoverable amount of CGU exceeded the carrying value by 45,891 million. Value in use of the CGU was affected by the assumptions such as discount rate and terminal growth used in discount cash flow model. When the discount rate increases by 0.25%, value in use will be decreased by 3.78% and when the terminal growth rate decreases by 0.25%, value in use will be decreased by 1.21%.

 

     Management believes that any reasonably possible negative change in the key assumptions on which the recoverable amount is based would cause incurrence of impairment loss of goodwill.

 

(*2)

Recoverable amounts of POSCO Engineering CO., Ltd are determined based on its value in use. As of December 31, 2015, value in use is estimated by applying 9.4% discount rate and 1.0% terminal growth rate with five years. The estimated future

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

  cash flows for the next five years are based on management’s business plan. The terminal growth rate does not exceed long-term average growth rate of its industry. No impairment loss of goodwill was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2015 as the recoverable amount exceeded the carrying value of the CGU.

 

     The estimated recoverable amount of CGU exceeded the carrying value by 1,742 million. Value in use of the CGU was affected by the assumptions such as discount rate and terminal growth used in discount cash flow model. When the discount rate increases by 0.25%, value in use will be decreased by 2.27% and when the terminal growth rate decreases by 0.25%, value in use will be decreased by 1.59%.

 

     Management believes that any reasonably possible negative change in the key assumptions on which the recoverable amount is based would cause incurrence of impairment loss of goodwill.

 

(*3) Recoverable amounts of POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited and EPC EQUITIES LLP were determined based on their value in use. Impairment losses of 15,886 million and 45,635 million were recognized during the year ended December 31, 2015 since the recoverable amounts were below carrying amount.

 

(*4) Recoverable amount of POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd. was determined based on fair value less cost to sell. Impairment loss of 37,531 million was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2015 since the recoverable amount was below carrying amount.

 

(*5) The Company lost its control during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

16. Other Assets

Other current assets and other non-current assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Current

  

Advance payments

   845,114         696,839   

Prepaid expenses

     129,914         107,379   

Others

     1,397         4,034   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     976,425         808,252   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Long-term advance payments

     3,454         3,467   

Long-term prepaid expenses

     243,933         403,536   

Others (*1)

     260,162         221,997   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
       507,549         629,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, the Company recognized tax assets amounting to 143,157 million and 132,489 million, respectively, based on the Company’s best estimate of the tax amounts to be refunded when the results of the Company’s appeal in connection with the additional income tax payment for prior years as a result of tax audits that were finalized in 2014 and claim for rectification are finalized.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

17. Borrowings

(a) Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term borrowings as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

   

Bank

 

Issuance date

 

Maturity date

  Interest
rate (%)
    2014     2015  
    (in millions of Won)  

Short-term borrowings

           

Bank overdrafts

 

Bank of America and others

  January, 2015~ December, 2015  

January, 2016~ December, 2016

    0.3~5.0      105,673        129,891   

Short-term borrowings

 

HSBC and others

  January, 2015~ December, 2015  

January, 2016~ December, 2016

    0.1~13.5        9,138,804        8,285,869   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
            9,244,477        8,415,760   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term liabilities

           

Current portion of long-term borrowings

 

 

Export-Import Bank of Korea and others

  June, 2003~
December, 2015
 

January, 2016~ December, 2016

    0.5~6.7        1,159,090        1,318,276   

Current portion of foreign loan (*1)

 

NATIXIS

  March, 1986  

September, 2016

    2.0        418        401   

Current portion of debentures

 

Korean Development Bank and others

  August, 2006~
June, 2015
 

March, 2016~
December, 2016

    0.9~5.9        1,793,252        2,637,614   

Less: Current portion of discount on debentures issued

            (1,753     (1,019
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
            2,951,007        3,955,272   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
          12,195,484        12,371,032   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1) Korea Development Bank has provided guarantees related to the foreign loan.

(b) Long-term borrowings, excluding current portion as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

   

Bank

 

Issuance date

 

Maturity date

  Interest
rate (%)
    2014     2015  
    (in millions of Won)  

Long-term borrowings

 

Export-Import Bank of Korea and others

  January, 1983~ September, 2015   January, 2017~ December, 2099     0.4~9.8      7,359,773        6,814,753   

Less: Present value discount

            (109,949     (76,828

Foreign loan (*1)

 

NATIXIS

  March, 1986   March, 2017     2.0        627        200   

Bonds

 

Korean Development Bank and others

 

August, 2009~ November, 2015

 

March, 2017~
October, 2023

    1.2~6.3        8,009,547        6,134,132   

Less: Discount on debentures issued

            (27,225     (23,058
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
          15,232,773        12,849,199   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1) Korea Development Bank has provided guarantees related to the foreign loan.

(c) Property, plant and equipment including investment property, trade accounts and notes receivable, financial assets, available-for-sale financial assets, inventories and other assets amounting to 7,367,425 million, 22,649 million (ninety seven of notes receivable), 78,561 million, 9,520 million, 71,504 million and 157,475 million, respectively, are provided as collateral related to short-term borrowings, long-term borrowings and debentures.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

18. Other Payables

Other payables as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Current

     

Accounts payable

         1,082,676         983,408   

Accrued expenses

     740,250         759,598   

Dividend payable

     12,077         6,453   

Finance lease liabilities

     21,888         26,876   

Withholdings

     337,822         352,758   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
         2,194,713         2,129,093   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Accounts payable

               81,344         22,665   

Accrued expenses

     25,886         30,221   

Finance lease liabilities

     24,815         14,409   

Long-term withholdings

     37,941         67,175   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
             169,986         134,470   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

19. Other Financial Liabilities

Other financial liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Current

     

Derivatives liabilities (*1)

            84,146         117,841   

Financial guarantee liabilities

     27,491         84,276   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
          111,637         202,117   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Derivatives liabilities

            64,926         37,661   

Financial guarantee liabilities

     26,169         17,035   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
            91,095         54,696   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1) The Company assessed the values of call option of SeAH Besteel Corp. in relation to the residual equity held by the Company upon the disposal of SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.). Accordingly, the Company has recognized derivatives liabilities amounting to 8,118 million as of December 31, 2015.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

20. Provisions

(a) Provisions as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     Current      Non-current      Current      Non-current  
     (in millions of Won)  

Provision for bonus payments

   49,505                 42,602           

Provision for construction warranties

     16,352         63,996         10,656         70,790   

Provision for legal contingencies and claims (*1)

             50,424                 52,610   

Provisions for the restoration (*2)

     39,336         35,462         15,569         26,357   

Others (* 3,4)

     44,837         73,357         33,493         71,935   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       150,030         223,239         102,320         221,692   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1) The Company recognized probable outflow of resources amounting to 44,309 million and 46,001 million as provisions for legal contingencies and asserted claims in relation to lawsuits against the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

 

(*2) Due to contamination of land near the Company’s magnesium smelting plant located in Gangneung province, a provision has been recognized with a present value of estimated costs for recovery. In order to compute the estimated costs, the Company has assumed that it would use all of technologies and materials available for now to recover the land. In addition, the Company has applied a discount rate of 2.67% to assess present value of these costs.

 

(*3) As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD., a subsidiary of the Company, recognized 31,577 million and 41,638 million of provisions for warranties, respectively, for the service contract on fuel cell cased on its estimate of probable outflow of resources.

 

(*4) As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, the amount includes a provision of 23,600 million for expected outflow of resources in connection with the performance guarantee for the Hwaseong-Dongtan complexes development project of POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION Co., Ltd.

(b) The following are the key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainties at the end of the reporting period.

 

    

Key assumptions for the estimation

Provision for bonus payments

   Estimations based on financial performance

Provision for construction warranties

   Estimations based on historical warranty data

Provision for legal contingencies and claims

   Estimations based on the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a sufficient reliable estimate of the amount of loss

(c) Changes in provisions for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

1) For the year ended December 31, 2014

 

     Beginning      Increase      Utilization     Reversal     Others (*1)      Ending  
     (in millions of Won)  

Provision for bonus payments

   52,377         45,071         (46,761     (1,646     464         49,505   

Provision for construction warranties

     55,696         34,410         (15,719     (4,677     10,638         80,348   

Provision for legal contingencies and claims

     30,330         15,289                (7,716     12,521         50,424   

Provisions for the restoration

     4,385         89,565         (19,328            176         74,798   

Others

     110,813         282,406         (258,571     (19,523     3,069         118,194   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
       253,601         466,741         (340,379     (33,562     26,868         373,269   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1) Includes adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

2) For the year ended December 31, 2015

 

     Beginning      Increase      Utilization     Reversal     Others (*1)     Ending  
     (in millions of Won)  

Provision for bonus payments

   49,505         46,420         (49,563     (1,493     (2,267     42,602   

Provision for construction warranties

     80,348         33,698         (21,166     (4,822     (6,612     81,446   

Provision for legal contingencies and claims

     50,424         15,998         (2,467     (4,058     (7,287     52,610   

Provisions for the restoration

     74,798         2,293         (35,461            296        41,926   

Others

     118,194         59,219         (46,994     (15,425     (9,566     105,428   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       373,269         157,628         (155,651     (25,798     (25,436     324,012   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1) Includes adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

21. Employee Benefits

(a) Defined contribution plans

The expenses related to post-employment benefit plans under defined contribution plans for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2013      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Expense related to post-employment benefit under defined contribution plans

       19,126         23,414         25,224   

(b) Defined benefit plans

1) The amounts recognized in relation to net defined benefit liabilities in the statements of financial position as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Present value of funded obligations

       1,713,074        1,702,735   

Fair value of plan assets

     (1,427,918     (1,532,090

Present value of non-funded obligations

     5,169        11,380   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net defined benefit liabilities

   290,325        182,025   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

2) Changes in present value of defined benefit obligations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Defined benefit obligation at the beginning of period

   1,520,643        1,718,243   

Current service costs

     230,445        239,508   

Interest costs

     54,737        47,039   

Remeasurements :

     85,166        (63,364

— Loss (gain) from change in demographic assumptions

     18,911        (10,017

— Loss (gain) from change in financial assumptions

     54,131        (37,367

— Others

     12,124        (15,980

Business combinations

     48,695          

Benefits paid

     (160,792     (157,983

Others

     (60,651     (69,328
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Defined benefit obligation at the end of period

       1,718,243        1,714,115   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

3) Changes in fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of period

   1,247,483        1,427,918   

Interest on plan assets

     47,296        41,145   

Remeasurement of plan assets

     (11,236     (8,515

Contributions to plan assets (* 1)

     273,867        243,082   

Business combinations

     30,863          

Benefits paid

     (109,352     (127,808

Others

     (51,003     (43,732
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at the end of period

       1,427,918        1,532,090   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1) The Company expects to make an estimated contribution of 242,062 million to the defined benefit plan assets in 2016.

4) The fair value of plan assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Equity instruments

   43,010         58,987   

Debt instruments

     236,665         134,679   

Deposits

     997,414         1,294,442   

Others

     150,829         43,982   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
       1,427,918         1,532,090   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

5) The amounts recognized in consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2013      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Current service costs

         238,386         230,445         239,508   

Net interest costs (*1)

     9,362         7,441         5,894   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
         247,748         237,886         245,402   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1) The actual return on plan assets amounted to 36,195 million, 36,060 million and 32,630 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

The above expenses by function were as follows:

 

     2013      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Cost of sales

       180,090         172,668         170,334   

Selling and administrative expenses

     66,327         64,960         74,210   

Others

     1,331         258         858   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   247,748         237,886         245,402   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

6) Accumulated actuarial gains (losses), net of tax recognized in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2013     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Beginning

         (245,229     (239,005     (314,106

Current actuarial gains (losses)

     6,224        (75,101     41,954   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

         (239,005     (314,106     (272,152
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

7) The principal actuarial assumptions as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015  
     (%)  

Discount rate

     2.58~8.58         2.19~9.20   

Expected future increase in salaries (* 1)

     1.00~10.22         1.05~10.00   

 

(*1) The expected future increase in salaries is based on the average salary increase rate for the past three years.

All assumptions are reviewed at the end of the reporting period. Additionally, the total estimated defined benefit obligation includes actuarial assumptions associated with the long-term characteristics of the defined benefit plan.

8) Reasonably possible changes at the reporting date to one of the relevant actuarial assumptions, holding other assumptions constant, would have affected the defined benefit obligation by the amounts shown below:

 

     1% Increase     1% Decrease  
     Amount     Percentage (%)     Amount     Percentage (%)  
     (in millions of Won)  

Discount rate

       (133,175     (7.8     147,675        8.6   

Expected future increases in salaries

     146,285        8.5        (129,539     (7.6

9) As of December 31, 2015 the maturity of the expected benefit payments are as follows:

 

     Within
1 year
     1 year-
5 years
     5 years-
10 years
     10 years-
20 years
     After
20 years
     Total  
     (in millions of Won)  

Benefits paid

       45,551         360,419         717,505         854,499         325,483         2,303,457   

The maturity analysis of the defined benefit obligation was nominal amounts of defined benefit obligations using expected remaining working lives of employees.

 

22. Other Liabilities

Other liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Current

     

Due to customers for contract work

   992,249         767,692   

Advances received

     1,310,894         1,047,385   

Unearned revenue

     21,627         11,684   

Withholdings

     167,002         153,562   

Deferred revenue

               

Others

     236,021             31,129   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
       2,727,793         2,011,452   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Advances received

   235,825         173,632   

Unearned revenue

     1,170         20,838   

Others

     45,987         56,935   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   282,982         251,405   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

23. Financial Instruments

(a) Classification of financial instruments

1) Financial assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

     

Derivatives assets held for trading

   96,266         188,489   

Available-for-sale financial assets

     2,420,241         2,209,744   

Held-to-maturity financial assets

     17,093         23,379   

Loans and receivables

     19,380,295         20,580,438   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
       21,913,895         23,002,050   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

2) Financial liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

     

Derivatives liabilities held for trading

   149,072         155,502   

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

     

Trade accounts and notes payable

     4,039,255         3,136,446   

Borrowings

     27,428,257         25,220,231   

Financial guarantee liabilities

     53,660         101,311   

Others

     2,101,354         2,197,463   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     33,622,526         30,655,451   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
       33,771,598         30,810,953   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

3) Finance income and costs by category of financial instrument for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

December 31, 2013

 

     Finance income and costs        
    Interest
income
(expense)
    Gain and
loss on
valuation
    Gain and
loss on
foreign
currency
    Gain
and loss
on
disposal
    Impairment
loss
    Others     Total     Other
comprehensive
income
 
    (in millions of Won)  

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

  549        67,951               348,126                      416,626          

Available-for-sale financial assets

    4,010                      101,842        (280,237     59,181        (115,204     412,346   

Held-to-maturity financial assets

    480                                    84        564          

Loans and receivables

        255,359               (49,541     (20,009            (145     185,664          

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

           (287,864            (264,739                   (552,603       

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

    (657,681                285,922                      (11,703)        (383,462       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (397,283     (219,913     236,381        165,220        (280,237     47,417        (448,415     412,346   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

     Finance income and costs        
    Interest
income
(expense)
    Gain and
loss on
valuation
    Gain and
loss on
foreign
currency
    Gain and
loss on
disposal
    Impairment
loss
    Others     Total     Other
comprehensive
loss
 
    (in millions of Won)  

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

         72,466               256,941                      329,407          

Available-for-sale financial assets

    309                      181,774        (369,723     47,825        (139,815     (333,891

Held-to-maturity financial assets

    260                                    (244     16          

Loans and receivables

        227,685               301,623        (20,912            (255     508,141          

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

           (98,003            (282,638                   (380,641       

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

    (795,585            (288,513     (38,594            (19,641     (1,142,333       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (567,331     (25,537     13,110        96,571        (369,723     27,685        (825,225     (333,891
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

     Finance income and costs        
    Interest
income
(expense)
    Gain and
loss on
valuation
    Gain and
loss on
foreign
currency
    Gain and
loss on
disposal
    Impairment
loss
    Others     Total     Other
comprehensive
loss
 
    (in millions of Won)  

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

         129,949               357,715                      487,664          

Available-for-sale financial assets

    1,956                      138,782        (142,781     183,712        181,669        (187,854

Held-to-maturity financial assets

    456                                    (688     (232       

Loans and receivables

        207,781               283,030        (15,406            (217     475,188          

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

           (46,748            (334,340                   (381,088       

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

    (788,772            (665,583                   (138,827     (1,593,182       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (578,579     83,201        (382,553     146,751        (142,781     43,980        (829,981     (187,854
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(b) Credit risk

1) Credit risk exposure

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk. The maximum exposure to credit risk as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   3,811,202         4,870,185   

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

     96,266         188,489   

Available-for-sale financial assets

     125,486         114,538   

Held-to-maturity financial assets

     17,093         23,379   

Loans and other receivables

     3,825,170         6,014,651   

Trade accounts and notes receivable, net

     11,664,587         9,575,264   

Long-term trade accounts and notes receivable, net

     79,336         120,338   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
       19,619,140         20,906,844   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-76


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

The Company provided financial guarantees for the repayment of loans of associates, joint ventures and third parties. As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, the maximum exposure to credit risk related to the financial guarantees amounted to 4,780,700 million and 4,709,050 million, respectively.

2) Impairment losses on financial assets

Allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Trade accounts and notes receivable

   605,470         625,003   

Other accounts receivable

     94,579         146,031   

Loans

     234,107         220,966   

Other assets

     19,997         7,678   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
       954,153         999,678   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Impairment losses on financial assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Bad debt expenses on trade accounts and notes receivable

   108,933        189,616   

Other bad debt expenses (*1)

     96,373        158,071   

Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets

     369,723        142,781   

Impairment loss on held-to-maturity financial assets

     319        1,000   

Less: Recovery of allowance for other bad debt accounts

            (10,452

Less: Recovery of impairment loss on held-to-maturity financial assets

     (75     (312
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
       575,273        480,704   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1) Other bad debt expenses are mainly related to other receivables and loans.

The aging and impairment losses of trade accounts and notes receivable as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     Trade accounts and
notes receivable
     Impairment      Trade accounts and
notes receivable
     Impairment  
     (in millions of Won)  

Not due

   8,599,898         53,093         6,819,800         55,993   

Over due less than 1 month

     1,867,838         7,171         1,843,132         5,084   

1 month – 3 months

     273,981         3,323         367,663         1,781   

3 months – 12 months

     201,213         16,893         421,505         37,719   

Over 12 months

     1,406,463         524,990         868,505         524,426   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       12,349,393         605,470         10,320,605         625,003   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

The aging and impairment losses of other receivables as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     Other
receivables
     Impairment      Other
receivables
     Impairment  
     (in millions of Won)  

Not due

     2,138,327         97,043         1,921,274         38,866   

Over due less than 1 month

     28,806         136         155,762         17,955   

1 month – 3 months

     97,165         19,571         10,285         302   

3 months – 12 months

     77,119         7,264         76,571         10,556   

Over 12 months

     447,217         224,669         395,200         306,996   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,788,634         348,683         2,559,092         374,675   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2013     2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Beginning

   474,877        661,651         954,153   

Bad debt expenses

     90,119        108,933         189,616   

Other bad debt expenses

     111,065        96,373         147,619   

Others

     (14,410     87,196         (291,710
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending

       661,651        954,153         999,678   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

(c) Liquidity risk

1) Contractual maturities for non-derivative financial liabilities, including estimated interest, are as follows:

 

      Book value      Contractual
cash flow
     Within
1 year
     1 year -
5 years
     After
5 years
 
     (in millions of Won)  

Trade accounts and notes payable

   3,136,446         3,136,446         3,125,348         11,098           

Borrowings

     25,220,231         28,220,022         13,038,808         9,799,089         5,382,125   

Financial guarantee liabilities (*1)

     101,311         4,709,050         4,709,050                   

Other financial liabilities

     2,197,463         2,197,462         2,062,992         134,470           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       30,655,451         38,262,980         22,936,198         9,944,657         5,382,125   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) For issued financial guarantee contracts, the maximum amount of the guarantee is allocated to the earliest period in which the guarantee could be called.

2) The maturity analysis of derivative financial liabilities is as follows:

 

      Within 1 year      1 year -
5 years
     Total  
     (in millions of Won)  

Currency forward

   50,383         3,642         54,025   

Currency futures

     9,051                 9,051   

Currency swaps

     30,777         30,847         61,624   

Interest swaps

     1,236         3,172         4,408   

Other forwards

     26,394                 26,394   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       117,841         37,661         155,502   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(d) Currency risk

1) The Company has exposure to the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of the changes in foreign exchange rates. The exposure to currency risk as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     Assets      Liabilities      Assets      Liabilities  
     (in millions of Won)  

USD

       4,771,164         8,328,804         5,535,915         7,196,614   

EUR

     387,102         683,685         433,686         657,734   

JPY

     185,891         1,145,643         64,495         1,036,545   

Others

     140,699         45,414         181,091         92,881   

2) As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, provided that functional currency against foreign currencies other than functional currency hypothetically strengthens or weakens by 10%, the changes in gain or loss during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     10% increase     10% decrease      10% increase     10% decrease  
     (in millions of Won)  

USD

       (355,764     355,764         (166,070     166,070   

EUR

     (29,658     29,658         (22,405     22,405   

JPY

     (95,975     95,975         (97,205     97,205   

(e) Interest rate risk

1) The carrying amount of interest-bearing financial instruments as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Fixed rate

    

Financial assets

   6,250,418        9,686,358   

Financial liabilities

     (17,258,183     (13,391,233
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (11,007,765     (3,704,875
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Variable rate

    

Financial liabilities

       (10,170,074     (11,828,998
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

2) Sensitivity analysis on the fair value of financial instruments with fixed interest rate

The Company does not account for any fixed rate financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, and the Company does not designate derivatives (interest rate swaps) as hedging instruments under a fair value hedge accounting model. Therefore a change in interest rates at the reporting date would not affect profit or loss.

3) Sensitivity analysis on the fair value of financial instruments with variable interest rate

As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, provided that other factors remain the same and the interest rate of borrowings with floating rates increases or decreases by 1%, the changes in interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2014      2015  
     1% increase     1% decrease      1% increase     1% decrease  
     (in millions of Won)  

Variable rate financial instruments

       (101,701     101,701         (118,290     118,290   

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(f) Fair value

1) Fair value and book value

The carrying amount and the fair value of financial instruments as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015  
     Book value      Fair value      Book value      Fair value  
     (in millions of Won)  

Assets measured at fair value

           

Available-for-sale financial assets (*1)

   1,963,289         1,963,289         1,854,784         1,854,784   

Derivatives assets held for trading (*2)

     96,266         96,266         188,489         188,489   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,059,555         2,059,555         2,043,273         2,043,273   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Assets measured at amortized cost (*3)

           

Cash and cash equivalents

     3,811,202         3,811,202         4,870,185         4,870,185   

Trade accounts and notes receivable, net

     11,743,923         11,743,923         9,695,602         9,695,602   

Loans and other receivables, net

     3,825,170         3,825,170         6,014,651         6,014,651   

Held-to-maturity financial assets

     17,093         17,093         23,379         23,379   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     19,397,388         19,397,388         20,603,817         20,603,817   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities measured at fair value

           

Derivatives liabilities held for trading (*2)

     149,072         149,072         155,502         155,502   

Liabilities measured at amortized cost (*3)

           

Trade accounts and notes payable

     4,039,255         4,039,255         3,136,446         3,136,446   

Borrowings

     27,428,257         27,756,615         25,220,231         25,413,577   

Financial guarantee liabilities

     53,660         53,660         101,311         101,311   

Others

     2,101,354         2,101,354         2,197,463         2,197,463   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       33,622,526         33,950,884         30,655,451         30,848,797   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1) The fair value of available-for-sale financial assets publicly traded is measured at the closing bid price quoted at the end of the reporting period. Meanwhile, the fair value of unquoted available-for-sale financial assets is calculated using the valuation results from an external pricing service in which weighted average cost of capital of evaluated companies are used as discount rates. Available-for-sale financial assets which are not measured at fair value are not included.

 

(*2) The fair value of derivatives is measured using valuation models such as Black-Scholes model, binominal lattice model and others in which the market yields on government bonds are used as discount rates.

 

(*3) The fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost is determined at the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the current market interest rate. The fair value is calculated for the disclosures in the notes. On the other hand, the Company has not performed fair value measurement for the financial assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost except borrowings since their carrying amounts approximate fair value.

2) Interest rates used for determining fair value

Interest rates used to discount estimated cash flows as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015  

Borrowings

     0.22%~4.92%         0.64%~3.74%   

 

F-80


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

3) The fair value hierarchy

 

  The fair values of financial instruments by fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

a. December 31, 2014

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (in millions of Won)  

Financial assets

           

Available-for-sale financial assets

       1,808,384                 154,905         1,963,289   

Derivatives assets held for trading

             96,266                 96,266   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,808,384         96,266         154,905         2,059,555   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

           

Derivatives liabilities held for trading

           149,072                 149,072   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

b. December 31, 2015

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (in millions of Won)  

Financial assets

           

Available-for-sale financial assets

       1,458,551                 396,233         1,854,784   

Derivatives assets held for trading

             110,197         78,292         188,489   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,458,551         110,197         474,525         2,043,273   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

           

Derivatives liabilities held for trading

           147,384         8,118         155,502   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  Changes in fair value of financial instruments classified as Level 3 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Beginning

   744,031        154,905   

Valuation

     (60,445     7,753   

Acquisition and others (*1)

     65,232        381,960   

Disposal and others (*1,2)

     (593,913     (78,211
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

       154,905        466,407   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1) Included transferred amount due to change in fair value hierarchy.

 

(*2) Included 580,062 million transferred to assets held for sale for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(g) Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, financial assets and financial liabilities subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting arrangements and similar agreements are as follows:

1) December 31, 2014

 

     Gross amounts
of recognized
financial
instruments
     Gross
amounts of
recognized
financial
instruments
set off in the
statement of
financial
position
     Net
amounts of
financial
instruments
presented in
the statement
of financial
position
     Related amounts not set off
in the statement of  financial
position
    Net
amount
 
            Financial
instruments
    Cash collateral
received or
pledged
   
     (in millions of Won)  

Financial assets

               

Trade accounts and notes receivable

   2,030,342                 2,030,342         (2,030,342              

Derivatives

     79,286                 79,286         (56,714            22,572   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,109,628                 2,109,628         (2,087,056            22,572   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

               

Short-term borrowings

     2,030,342                 2,030,342         (2,030,342              

Derivatives

     128,980                 128,980         (56,714     (6,912     65,354   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       2,159,322                 2,159,322         (2,087,056     (6,912     65,354   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2) December 31, 2015

 

     Gross amounts
of recognized
financial
instruments
     Gross
amounts of
recognized
financial
instruments
set off in the
statement of
financial
position
     Net
amounts of
financial
instruments
presented in
the statement
of financial
position
     Related amounts not set off
in the statement of  financial
position
    Net
amount
 
            Financial
instruments
    Cash collateral
received or
pledged
   
     (in millions of Won)  

Financial assets

               

Trade accounts and notes receivable

   846,676                 846,676         (846,676              

Derivatives (*1)

     73,471                 73,471         (68,783            4,688   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     920,147                 920,147         (915,459            4,688   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

               

Short-term borrowings

     846,676                 846,676         (846,676              

Derivatives (*1)

     122,274                 122,274         (68,783     (1,349     52,142   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       968,950                 968,950         (915,459     (1,349     52,142   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Some of the derivative contracts are made under International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master netting agreements. In general, under such agreements the amounts owed by each counter party on a single day in respect of all transactions outstanding in the same currency are aggregated into a single net amount that is payable by one party to the other. In certain circumstances (i.e. when a default occurs), all standing transactions under the agreement are terminated, the termination value is assessed and only a single amount is payable in settlement of all transactions.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

24. Share Capital and Capital Surplus

(a) Share capital as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015  
     (Share, in Won)  

Authorized shares

     200,000,000         200,000,000   

Par value

   5,000         5,000   

Issued shares (*1)

     87,186,835         87,186,835   

Shared capital (*2)

       482,403,125,000         482,403,125,000   

 

(*1) As of December 31, 2015, total shares of ADRs of 49,982,260 are equivalent to 12,495,565 of common stock.

 

(*2) As of December 31, 2015, the difference between the ending balance of common stock and the par value of issued common stock is 46,469 million due to retirement of 9,293,790 treasury stocks.

(b) The changes in issued common stock for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2014      2015  
     Issued
shares
     Treasury
shares
    Number of
outstanding
shares
     Issued
shares
     Treasury
shares
    Number of
outstanding
shares
 
     (share)  

Beginning

     87,186,835         (7,403,211     79,783,624         87,186,835         (7,193,807     79,993,028   

Disposal of treasury shares

             209,404        209,404                 2,620        2,620   

Ending

     87,186,835         (7,193,807     79,993,028         87,186,835         (7,191,187     79,995,648   

(c) Capital surplus as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Share premium

   463,825        463,825   

Gain on disposal of treasury shares

     783,791        783,756   

Other capital deficit

     (163,898     145,498   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
       1,083,718        1,393,079   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

25. Hybrid Bonds

(a) Hybrid bonds classified as equity as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     Date of
issue
     Date of maturity      Interest rate (%)      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Hybrid bond 1-1(*1)

     2013-06-13         2043-06-13         4.30       800,000        800,000   

Hybrid bond 1-2(*1)

     2013-06-13         2043-06-13         4.60         200,000        200,000   

Issuance cost

              (3,081     (3,081
           

 

 

   

 

 

 
                996,919        996,919   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

 

(*1) Details of hybrid bonds as of December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

    

Hybrid bond 1-1

  

Hybrid bond 1-2

     (in millions of Won)

Issue price

   800,000    200,000

Maturity date

   30 years (The Company has a right to extend the maturity date)    30 years (The Company has a right to extend the maturity date)

Interest rate

   Issue date ~ 2018-06-12 : 4.3% reset every 5 years as follows;    Issue date ~ 2023-06-12 : 4.6% reset every 10 years as follows;
  

· After 5 years : return on government bond (5 years) + 1.3%

· After 10 years : additionally +0.25% according to Step-up clauses

· After 25 years : additionally +0.75%

  

· After 10 years : return on government bond (10 years) + 1.4%

· After 10 years : additionally +0.25% according to Step-up clauses

· After 30 years : additionally +0.75%

Interest payments

   Quarterly    Quarterly

condition

   (Optional deferral of interest payment is available to the Company)    (Optional deferral of interest payment is available to the Company)

Others

   The Company can call the hybrid bond at year 5 and interest payment date afterwards    The Company can call the hybrid bond at year 10 and interest payment date afterwards

The interest accumulated but not paid on the hybrid bonds as of December 31, 2015 amounts to 2,276 million.

(b) POSCO ENERGY Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, issued hybrid bonds, which are classified as non-controlling interests in the consolidated financial statements. Hybrid bonds as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     Date of issue      Date of maturity      Interest rate (%)      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Hybrid bond 1-1 (*1)

     2013-08-29         2043-08-29         4.66       165,000        165,000   

Hybrid bond 1-2 (*1)

     2013-08-29         2043-08-29         4.72         165,000        165,000   

Hybrid bond 1-3 (*1)

     2013-08-29         2043-08-29         4.72         30,000        30,000   

Hybrid bond 1-4 (*1)

     2013-08-29         2043-08-29         5.21         140,000        140,000   

Issuance cost

              (1,532     (1,532
           

 

 

   

 

 

 
                498,468        498,468   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Details of hybrid bonds of POSCO ENERGY Co., Ltd .as of December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

    

Hybrid bond 1-1

  

Hybrid bond 1-2 and 1-3

  

Hybrid bond 1-4

     (in millions of Won)

Issue price

   165,000    195,000    140,000

Maturity date

  

30 years (The Company has a right to extend the maturity date)

 

Issue date ~ 2018-08-29 : 4.66% reset every 5 years as follows;

· After 5 years : return on

  

30 years (The Company has a right to extend the maturity date)

 

Issue date ~ 2018-08-29 : 4.72% reset every 5 years as follows;

· After 5 years : return on

  

30 years (The Company has a right to extend the maturity date)

 

Issue date ~ 2018-08-29 : 5.21% reset every 5 years as follows;

· After 5 years : return on

Interest rate

  

government bond (5 years) + 1.39%

· After 10 years : additionally +0.25% according to Step-up clauses

· After 30 years : additionally +0.75%

 

Quarterly

  

government bond (5 years) + 1.45%

· After 10 years : additionally +0.25% according to Step-up clauses

· After 30 years : additionally +0.75%

 

Quarterly

  

government bond (5 years) + 1.55%

· After 10 years : additionally +0.25% according to Step-up clauses

· After 30 years : additionally +0.75%

 

Quarterly

Interest payments condition

   (Optional deferral of interest payment is available to the Company)    (Optional deferral of interest payment is available to the Company)    (Optional deferral of interest payment is available to the Company)

Others

   The Company can call the hybrid bond at year 5 and interest payment date afterwards    The Company can call the hybrid bond at year 5 and interest payment date afterwards    The Company can call the hybrid bond at year 5 and interest payment date afterwards

The interest accumulated but not paid on the hybrid bonds as of December 31, 2015 amounts to 2,125 million.

 

26. Reserves

(a) Reserves as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Accumulated comprehensive loss of

    

investments in associates and joint ventures

   (344,942     (426,360

Changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investments

     144,783        (38,294

Currency translation differences

     (187,740     (109,646

Others

     (20,874     (20,456
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (408,773     (594,756
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(b) Changes in fair value of available-for-sale investments for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Beginning balance

   480,409        144,783   

Changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investments

     (411,671     (236,752

Reclassification to profit of loss upon disposal

     (176,124     (45,817

Impairment of available-for-sale investments

     267,920        94,487   

Others

     (15,751     5,005   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   144,783        (38,294
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

27. Treasury Shares

Based on the Board of Directors’ resolution, the Company holds treasury shares for business purposes including price stabilization. The changes in treasury shares for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2014     2015  
     Number of shares     Amount     Number of shares     Amount  
     (shares, in millions of Won)  

Beginning

     7,403,211      1,579,124        7,193,807      1,534,457   

Disposal of treasury shares

     (209,404     (44,667     (2,620     (559
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

     7,193,807      1,534,457        7,191,187      1,533,898   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

28. Revenue

Details of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2013      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Sales of goods

   50,921,090         53,636,957         47,018,466   

Service sales

     3,614,227         2,962,404         2,489,447   

Construction sales

     6,787,100         7,797,953         8,546,454   

Rental income

     24,735         18,876         11,757   

Others

     418,591         342,435         456,144   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       61,765,743         64,758,625         58,522,268   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

29. Construction Contracts

(a) Construction contracts in progress as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in million of Won)  

Aggregate amount of costs incurred

   10,972,880        18,089,275   

Add: Recognized profits

     617,771        1,194,797   

Less: Recognized losses

     (449,227     (432,674

Cumulative construction revenue

     11,141,424        18,851,398   

Less: Progress billing

     (10,665,962     (18,374,500

Others

     (61,033     (45,093
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   414,429        431,805   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(b) Unbilled amount due from customers and due to customers for contract work as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in million of Won)  

Unbilled due from customers for contract work

   1,406,678        1,199,497   

Due to customers for contract work

     (992,249     (767,692
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   414,429        431,805   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(c) When the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognized in profit or loss in proportion to the stage of completion of the contract. The Company estimates the stage of completion of the contract based on the proportion that contract costs incurred for work performed to date bear to the estimated total contract costs.

The estimated total contract costs are based on the nature and characteristics of an individual contract, historical costs of similar projects, and current circumstances. Only those contract costs that reflect work performed are included in costs incurred to date.

The following are the key assumptions for the estimated contract cost.

 

     

Key assumptions for the estimation

Material

   Estimations based on recent purchasing contracts, market price and quoted price

Labor cost

   Estimations based on standard monthly and daily labor cost

Outsourcing cost

   Estimations based on the historical costs of similar projects, market price and quoted price

Management continually reviews all estimates involved in such construction contracts and adjusts them as necessary.

 

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Table of Contents

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

30. Selling and Administrative Expenses

(a) Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses for years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2013      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Wages and salaries

   754,819         781,433         810,851   

Expenses related to post-employment benefits

     67,482         66,744         87,293   

Other employee benefits

     165,751         174,131         193,967   

Travel

     53,003         50,257         48,426   

Depreciation

     95,197         110,908         105,470   

Amortization

     133,299         162,312         168,525   

Communication

     14,601         9,579         12,502   

Electricity expenses

     13,389         11,746         9,573   

Taxes and public dues

     55,177         55,647         74,315   

Rental

     110,191         137,366         119,836   

Repairs

     5,708         13,924         11,677   

Entertainment

     17,295         17,633         15,740   

Advertising

     105,663         104,485         90,698   

Research & development

     192,805         175,195         135,508   

Service fees

     240,034         215,974         218,751   

Supplies

     15,031         10,856         9,855   

Vehicles maintenance

     12,109         12,685         10,756   

Industry association fee

     11,924         11,856         12,603   

Conference

     17,004         17,620         16,053   

Contribution to provisions

     19,075         16,056         14,900   

Bad debt expenses

     90,119         108,933         189,616   

Others

     42,129         44,416         38,333   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       2,231,805         2,309,756         2,395,248   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(b) Selling expenses

Selling expenses for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2013      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Freight and custody expenses

   1,432,935         1,551,705         1,531,906   

Operating expenses for distribution center

     9,838         10,782         11,021   

Sales commissions

     73,922         66,359         80,165   

Sales advertising

     3,228         4,615         3,220   

Sales promotion

     27,129         25,777         22,443   

Sample

     4,751         3,477         2,576   

Sales insurance premium

     27,031         39,538         30,682   

Contract cost

     37,323         49,891         38,425   

Others

     15,963         7,974         8,518   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       1,632,120         1,760,118         1,728,956   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

31. Research and Development Expenditures Recognized as Expenses

Research and development expenditures recognized as expenses for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2013      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Selling and administrative expenses

   192,805         175,195         135,508   

Cost of sales

     369,842         353,149         356,173   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       562,647         528,344         491,681   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

32. Other Operating Income and Expenses

Details of other operating income and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2013     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Other operating income

      

Gain on disposals of assets held for sale

   101,611        48,232        227,956   

Gain on disposals of investment in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     7,668        41,258        88,718   

Gain on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     14,177        15,039        22,730   

Recovery of allowance for other doubtful accounts

                   10,452   

Rental revenues

     1,588        1,743        1,019   

Gain on insurance proceeds

     1,000        2,924        14,976   

Others

     103,029        160,210        183,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       229,073        269,406        549,048   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

      

Impairment loss on assets held for sale

   (1,814     (17,205     (133,547

Loss on disposals of assets held for sale

     (26,498     (14     (190,357

Loss on disposals of investment in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     (19,404     (2,556     (18,996

Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     (121,133     (50,006     (101,732

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment

     (9,742     (64,833     (136,269

Impairment loss on intangible assets

     (125,316     (55,220     (161,412

Other bad debt expenses

     (111,065     (96,373     (158,071

Idle tangible asset expenses

     (17,624     (12,214     (12,773

Impairment loss on other non-current assets

     (9,000     (38,137     (12,264

Contribution to provisions

     (65,896     (126,601     (18,396

Donations

     (60,940     (69,544     (62,957

Others (*1,2)

     (82,374     (446,971     (435,524
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (650,806     (979,674     (1,442,298
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) As a result of Korea National Tax Service’s periodic audit of tax payments and refunds of the Company, the Company recognized additional tax payments amounting to 271,646 million, primarily related to VAT, as other operating expense during the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(*2) The Company paid 299,037 million in connection with its settlement with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation for a civil lawsuit regarding improperly acquired trade secrets and patents during the year ended December 31, 2015 (Note 38).

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

33. Finance Income and Costs

Details of finance income and costs for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2013     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Finance income

      

Interest income

   260,398        228,254        210,193   

Dividend income

     59,181        47,825        183,712   

Gain on foreign currency transactions

     997,591        1,022,253        1,025,240   

Gain on foreign currency translations

     511,143        453,471        466,090   

Gain on derivatives transactions

     370,343        327,738        366,482   

Gain on valuations of derivatives

     72,297        73,279        155,334   

Gain on disposals of available-for-sale financial assets

     105,563        236,484        139,136   

Others

     4,322        7,458        10,886   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2,380,838        2,396,762        2,557,073   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance costs

      

Interest expenses

   (657,681     (795,585     (788,772

Loss on foreign currency transactions

     (927,453     (1,033,723     (1,157,161

Loss on foreign currency translations

     (344,900     (428,891     (716,722

Loss on derivatives transactions

     (286,574     (353,435     (343,118

Loss on valuation of derivatives

     (291,465     (101,330     (72,133

Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets

     (280,237     (369,723     (142,781

Others

     (40,943     (139,300     (166,367
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       (2,829,253     (3,221,987     (3,387,054
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

34. Expenses by Nature

Expenses that are recorded by nature as cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating expenses in the statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows (excluding finance costs and income tax expense):

 

      2013      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Changes in inventories including raw materials and consumables used

   12,072,361         9,090,004         9,718,528   

Cost of merchandises sold

     25,909,164         30,899,849         24,220,580   

Employee benefits expenses (*2)

     3,174,316         3,197,902         3,472,295   

Outsourced processing cost

     9,462,946         9,294,977         8,681,271   

Electricity expenses

     1,109,765         1,370,390         1,251,546   

Depreciation expenses (*1)

     2,505,536         2,894,609         2,836,663   

Amortization expenses

     180,014         343,940         381,583   

Freight and custody expenses

     1,432,935         1,551,705         1,531,906   

Sales commissions

     73,922         66,359         80,165   

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     121,133         50,006         101,732   

Donations

     60,940         69,544         62,957   

Other expenses

     3,325,515         3,685,748         5,245,710   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       59,428,547         62,515,033         57,584,936   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Includes depreciation expense of investment property.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(*2) The details of employee benefits expenses for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2013      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Wages and salaries

   2,907,442         2,931,553         3,186,237   

Expenses related to post-employment benefits

     266,874         266,349         286,058   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       3,174,316         3,197,902         3,472,295   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

35. Income Taxes

(a) Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 was as follows:

 

      2013     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Current income taxes

   615,771        790,055        553,041   

Deferred income tax due to temporary differences

     106,066        (79,719     (253,860

Items recorded directly in equity

     (132,808     113,505        (32,621
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

       589,029        823,841        266,560   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(b) The following table reconciles the calculated income tax expense based on POSCO’s statutory rates (24.2%) to the actual amount of taxes recorded by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

 

      2013     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Profit before income tax expense

       1,938,045        1,387,880        150,345   

Income tax expense computed at statutory rate

     469,007        335,405        35,921   

Adjustments:

      

Tax credits

     (169,166     (49,615     (152,139

Under (over) provision from prior years

     (1,178     (463     (47,053

Investment in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     251,014        371,876        439,575   

Tax effects due to permanent differences

     7,703        69,998        (26,045

Adjustments on prior year tax from tax audit

            56,257          

Tax effects due to amendments to local income tax law

            39,890          

Others

     31,649        493        16,301   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     120,022        488,436        230,639   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   589,029        823,841        266,560   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate (%)

     30.39     59.36     177.30

(c) The income taxes credited (charged) directly to equity during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

      2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Net changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investment

   105,639        60,077   

Loss (gain) on sale of treasury stock

     (4,654     12   

Other capital surplus

            (86,765

Others

     12,520        (5,945
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
       113,505        (32,621
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(d) The movements in deferred tax assets (liabilities) for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

    2014     2015  
    Beginning     Inc. (Dec.)     Ending     Beginning     Inc. (Dec.)     Ending  
    (in millions of Won)  

Deferred income tax due to temporary differences

           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

    149,603        46,132        195,735        195,735        6,857        202,592   

Reserve for technology developments

    (380,665     121,632        (259,033     (259,033     81,357        (177,676

PPE — Depreciation

    (33,342     26,667        (6,675     (6,675     (8,565     (15,240

Share of profit or loss of equity-accounted investees

    (89,305     (7,388     (96,693     (96,693     51,519        (45,174

Reserve for inventory valuation

    (1,522     3,513        1,991        1,991        11,382        13,373   

PPE — Revaluation

    (1,011,593     (211,006     (1,222,599     (1,222,599     (170,902     (1,393,501

Prepaid expenses

    28,385        (10,924     17,461        17,461        1,719        19,180   

PPE — Impairment loss

    25,518        (3,556     21,962        21,962        (13,907     8,055   

Loss on foreign currency translation

    (189,202     120,090        (69,112     (69,112     39,757        (29,355

Defined benefit obligations

    100,356        20,328        120,684        120,684        (11,546     109,138   

Plan assets

    (58,666     5,631        (53,035     (53,035     10,233        (42,802

Provision for construction losses

    4,273        680        4,953        4,953        (4,341     612   

Provision for construction warranty

    16,674        3,697        20,371        20,371        1,233        21,604   

Accrued income

    (2,915     (776     (3,691     (3,691     (5,291     (8,982

Impairment loss on AFS

    133,089        38,912        172,001        172,001        94,473        266,474   

Difference in acquisition costs of treasury shares

    64,213        (2,074     62,139        62,139        (23     62,116   

Others

    267,024        (132,919     131,748        92,155        196,691        296,206   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (978,075     18,639        (961,793     (1,001,386     280,646        (713,380
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes recognized directly to equity

           

Loss (gain) on valuation of available-for-sale investments

    (115,673     105,639        (10,034     (10,034     60,077        50,043   

Others

    54,716        12,520        67,236        67,236        (5,945     61,291   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (60,957     118,159        57,202        57,202        54,132        111,334   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax from tax credit

           

Tax credit carryforward and others

    437,642        (137,276     300,366        339,959        (62,698     277,261   

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

           

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

    42,761        (64,388     (21,627     (21,627     3,539        (18,088
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (558,629     (64,866     (625,852     (625,852     275,619        (342,873
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(e) Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014     2015  
     Assets      Liabilities     Net     Assets      Liabilities     Net  
     (in millions of Won)  

Deferred income tax due to temporary differences

              

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     197,159         (1,424     195,735        202,592                202,592   

Reserve for technology developments

             (259,033     (259,033             (177,676     (177,676

PPE — Depreciation

     39,412         (46,087     (6,675     34,575         (49,815     (15,240

Share of profit or loss of equity-accounted investees

             (96,693     (96,693     52,521         (97,695     (45,174

Reserve for inventory valuation

     7,294         (5,303     1,991        13,373                13,373   

PPE — Revaluation

             (1,222,599     (1,222,599             (1,393,501     (1,393,501

Prepaid expenses

     17,461                17,461        19,180                19,180   

PPE — Impairment loss

     23,489         (1,527     21,962        8,159         (104     8,055   

Loss on foreign currency translation

     83,521         (152,633     (69,112     107,076         (136,431     (29,355

Defined benefit obligations

     125,758         (5,074     120,684        129,804         (20,666     109,138   

Plan assets

             (53,035     (53,035             (42,802     (42,802

Provision for construction losses

     4,953                4,953        612                612   

Provision for construction warranty

     20,371                20,371        21,604                21,604   

Accrued income

             (3,691     (3,691             (8,982     (8,982

Impairment loss on AFS

     172,001                172,001        266,474                266,474   

Difference in acquisition costs of treasury shares

     62,139                62,139        62,116                62,116   

Others

     283,655         (151,907     131,748        369,763         (73,557     296,206   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,037,213         (1,999,006     (961,793     1,287,849         (2,001,229     (713,380
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes recognized directly to equity

              

Loss (gain) on valuation of available-for-sale investments

     238,489         (248,523     (10,034     218,161         (168,118     50,043   

Others

     91,636         (24,400     67,236        76,086         (14,795     61,291   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     330,125         (272,923     57,202        294,247         (182,913     111,334   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax from tax credit

              

Tax credit carryforward and others

     339,959         (39,593     300,366        277,261                277,261   

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

              

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     601,265         (622,892     (21,627     518,326         (536,414     (18,088
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2,308,562         (2,934,414     (625,852     2,377,683         (2,720,556     (342,873
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

(f) As of December 31, 2015, the Company did not recognize income tax effects associated with deductible temporary differences of 5,029,818 million (deferred tax assets 1,217,216 million) mainly relating to loss of subsidiaries and affiliates because realization is not considered probable. As of December 31, 2015, the Company did not recognize income tax effects associated with taxable temporary differences of 3,587,123 million (deferred tax liabilities 868,084 million) mainly relating to increase in retained earnings of subsidiaries since it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

36. Earnings per Share

(a) Basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2013     2014     2015  
    (Won, except per share information)  

Profit attribute to controlling interest

      1,370,877,921,262        632,706,233,938        171,493,811,117   

Interests of hybrid bonds

    (18,313,914,551     (33,048,799,997     (33,029,632,499

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (*1)

    78,009,654        79,801,539        79,993,834   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

  17,338        7,514        1,731   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) The weighted-average number of common shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

 

      2013     2014     2015  
     (shares)  

Total number of common shares issued

     87,186,835        87,186,835        87,186,835   

Weighted-average number of treasury shares

     (9,177,181     (7,385,296     (7,193,001
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

     78,009,654        79,801,539        79,993,834   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Since there were no potential shares of common stock which had dilutive effects as of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, diluted earnings per share is equal to basic earnings per share.

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

37. Related Party Transactions

(a) Significant transactions between the controlling company and related parties for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

1) For the year ended December 31, 2013

 

     Sales and others      Purchase and others  
     Sales      Others      Purchase of
material
     Purchase of
fixed assets
     Outsourced
processing cost
     Others  
     (in millions of Won)  

Subsidiaries

  

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION., LTD.

   16,439         3,421         3,042         2,235,798         5,855         9,242   

POSCO Processing & Service

     987,424         8         1,215,510                         805   

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

     472,353         25                         10,648         98   

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd. (*1)

     2,324         19         1,499         67,081         13,733         2,492   

POSCO ICT

     1,210         195         679         279,660         31,231         157,126   

eNtoB Corporation

             10         234,352         13,241         149         20,079   

POSCO CHEMTECH

     512,139         25,868         491,562         21,832         287,584         1,223   

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

     104,209         915                 5,178                 7   

POSCO TMC Co., Ltd.

     188,915         15                         1,051         1,298   

POSCO AST

     500,193         10         6,985                 56,520         2,029   

POSHIMETAL Co., Ltd.

     18,922         137         166,042                         5   

Daewoo International Corporation

     3,522,678         65         16,297                         2,843   

POSCO America Corporation

     596,681         1                                 339   

POSCO Canada Ltd.

                     144,329                           

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

     2,068,965         221         64,434         182                 1,673   

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

     58,502                                         14   

POSCO JAPAN Co., Ltd.

     1,270,325                 19,978         2                 2,972   

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

     256,014         693                                 621   

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

     176,425         3,157                                 236   

Others

     876,522         7,812         360,220         42,220         255,500         110,221   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     11,630,240         42,572         2,724,929         2,665,194         662,271         313,323   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Associates and joint ventures

                 

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd. (formerly, Sungjin Geotec Co., Ltd.) (*1)

     15,028         48         1,735         65,802         9,781         6,883   

SNNC

     1,532         458         402,639                           

POSCHROME (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED

                     66,762                           

POSCO-SAMSUNG-Slovakia Processing Center

     19,906                                           

Others

     17,299         165         3,937                         176   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     53,765         671         475,073         65,802         9,781         7,059   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   11,684,005         43,243         3,200,002         2,730,996         672,052         320,382   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Sungjin Geotec Co., Ltd. merged with POSCO Plant Engineering Co., Ltd. and changed its name to POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd. in 2013.

 

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Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

2) For the year ended December 31, 2014

 

    Sales and others     Purchase and others  
    Sales     Others     Purchase of
material
    Purchase of
fixed assets
    Outsourced
processing
cost
    Others  
    (in millions of Won)  

Subsidiaries

           

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION., LTD.

  22,659        16,789        544,202        247,286        3,689        30,852   

POSCO Processing & Service

    1,075,567        8,649        785,943                      1,681   

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

    444,513        12                      12,313        195   

POSCO ICT

    929        2,593        356        209,893        26,231        161,173   

eNtoB Corporation

           3        297,119        10,433        137        21,073   

POSCO CHEMTECH

    532,973        26,537        513,759        5,449        301,149        923   

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

    177,517        1,230               2,263               20   

POSCO TMC Co., Ltd.

    240,318        9                      1,056        1,611   

POSCO AST

    503,452        5        10,396               57,355        2,671   

POSHIMETAL Co., Ltd.

    11,261        3,660        166,442                        

Daewoo International Corporation

    3,558,652        20,652        90,361                      3,857   

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.)

    5,313        201,927        40,124               1,939        266   

POSCO America Corporation

    747,933        2                             1,794   

POSCO Canada Ltd.

                  141,767                        

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

    2,167,148        89        169,945               10,006        1,969   

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

    79,783                                    19   

POSCO JAPAN Co., Ltd.

    1,329,947        4        15,165        2,269        3        2,279   

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

    287,468        929                               

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

    444,407        6,053                               

Others

    980,410        4,149        334,577        66,345        232,682        104,275   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    12,610,250        293,292        3,110,156        543,938        646,560        334,658   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Associates and joint ventures

           

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd. (*2)

    15,310        64        3,195        119,369        15,777        22,751   

SNNC

    3,077        5,716        339,991                      5   

POSCHROME (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED

                  59,241                        

POSCO-SAMSUNG-Slovakia Processing Center

    24,059                                      

Others (*1)

    10,785        41,903        3,668                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    53,231        47,683        406,095        119,369        15,777        22,756   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  12,663,481        340,975        3,516,251        663,307        662,337        357,414   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) POSCO made loans of USD 3.85 million to LLP POSUK Titanium, an associate of the Company, during the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(*2) It was reclassified from an associate to a subsidiary.

 

F-96


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

3) For the year ended December 31, 2015

 

    Sales and others (*1)     Purchase and others (*2)  
    Sales     Others     Purchase of
material
    Purchase of
fixed assets
    Outsourced
processing
cost
    Others  
    (in millions of Won)  

Subsidiaries (*3)

           

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION., LTD.

  4,441        145        19        427,760        2,250        37,488   

POSCO Processing & Service

    1,074,826        24        437,626                      2,281   

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

    380,626                             9,359        104   

POSCO ICT (*4)

    1,259        7               210,877        29,612        182,745   

eNtoB Corporation

                  261,989        6,501        130        22,017   

POSCO CHEMTECH

    436,594        30,343        519,956        9,515        297,183        1,773   

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

    188,458        1,359                             6   

POSCO TMC Co., Ltd.

    263,242                             1,497        1,560   

POSCO AST

    362,658        15        4,115               39,175        1,611   

POSHIMETAL Co., Ltd.

    10,777        151        145,165                      46   

Daewoo International Corporation

    3,505,187        34,334        46,675                      480   

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.) (*5)

    2,811        176,904        8,239               515        75   

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd. (*5)

    4,280        33        2,544        125,192        15,135        13,649   

POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited

    268,576        10        5,147                      34   

PT. KRAKATAU POSCO

                  118,888                        

POSCO America Corporation

    624,549        6                             725   

POSCO Canada Ltd.

                  111,243                        

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

    1,822,932        960        269,086               513        2,273   

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

    118,845                                    220   

POSCO JAPAN Co., Ltd.

    1,051,910        9,383        25,957        2,278        201        2,754   

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

    270,184        80                             11   

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

    421,244        752                             31   

Others (*6)

    867,334        14,474        223,393        113,769        212,539        129,506   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    11,680,733        268,980        2,180,042        895,892        608,109        399,389   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Associates and joint ventures (*3)

           

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.) (*5)

    6,042               3,802               419          

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd. (*5)

    147        14        1,017        82,338        3,513        4,676   

SNNC

    4,673        594        422,420                        

POSCO-SAMSUNG-Slovakia Processing center

    26,379                                      

Others (*7,8)

    28,841        40,600        51,855                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    66,082        41,208        479,094        82,338        3,932        4,676   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  11,746,815        310,188        2,659,136        978,230        612,041        404,065   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Sales and others mainly consist of sales of steel products to subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.

 

(*2) Purchases and others mainly consist of subsidiaries’ purchases of construction services and purchases of raw materials to manufacture steel products.

 

(*3) As of December 31, 2015, the Company provided guarantees to related parties (Note 38).

 

(*4) Others (purchase) mainly consist of service fees related to maintenance and repair of ERP System.

 

(*5) Reclassified from subsidiaries to associates (Note 11).

 

(*6) POSCO borrowed USD 17.42 million from POSCO-Uruguay S.A, a subsidiary of the Company, and the entire amount was repaid during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

(*7) POSCO lent USD 60 million to CSP-Compania Siderurgica do Pecem, an associate of POSCO, and the entire amount of loan was collected during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

(*8) POSCO collected the loan of USD 3.85 million from LLP POSUK Titanium, an associate of the Company, during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

F-97


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(b) The related account balances of significant transactions between the controlling company and related companies as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

1) December 31, 2014

 

    Receivables     Payables  
    Trade accounts and
notes receivable
    Others     Total     Trade accounts and
notes payable
    Accounts
payable
    Others     Total  
    (in millions of Won)  

Subsidiaries

             

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION., LTD.

  42        71,967        72,009               41,878               41,878   

POSCO Processing & Service

    94,790        92        94,882        15,202        867               16,069   

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

    69,314        67        69,381               5        1,936        1,941   

POSCO ICT

    13        103        116        920        70,823        5,425        77,168   

eNtoB Corporation

                         12,564        28,432        43        41,039   

POSCO CHEMTECH

    49,456        4,283        53,739        57,610        9,890        17,864        85,364   

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

    17,326        2,809        20,135                      1,962        1,962   

POSCO TMC Co., Ltd.

    27,429        30        27,459               117        115        232   

POSCO AST

    44,281        54        44,335               2,458        3,364        5,822   

POSHIMETAL Co., Ltd.

    1,269        14        1,283               12,846               12,846   

Daewoo International Corporation

    164,029        3,178        167,207        8        210        1        219   

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.)

    822        201,823        202,645        4,800        140        184        5,124   

POSCO America Corporation

    57,164               57,164               1,511               1,511   

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

    197,104        221        197,325        10,995                      10,995   

POSCO (Thailand) Company Limited

    7,407        266        7,673                               

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

    14,748        41        14,789                               

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

    96,800               96,800                               

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

    364,899        7,714        372,613                               

Others

    175,567        58,592        234,159        15,494        75,051        29,076        119,621   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1,382,460        351,254        1,733,714        117,593        244,228        59,970        421,791   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Associates and joint ventures

             

SNNC

    219        125        344        7,017                      7,017   

POSCHROME (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED

                         1,162                      1,162   

LLP POSUK Titanium

           4,235        4,235                               

Others

    258        18        276        234                      234   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    477        4,378        4,855        8,413                      8,413   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1,382,937        355,632        1,738,569        126,006        244,228        59,970        430,204   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-98


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

2) December 31, 2015

 

    Receivables     Payables  
    Trade accounts and
notes receivable
    Others     Total     Trade accounts and
notes payable
    Accounts
payable
    Others     Total  
    (in millions of Won)  

Subsidiaries

             

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION., LTD.

  508        30,368        30,876               42,159        1,002        43,161   

POSCO Processing & Service

    74,985        175        75,160        10,868        603               11,471   

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

    43,669        66        43,735                      1,262        1,262   

POSCO ICT

           6,832        6,832        1,060        94,865        5,880        101,805   

eNtoB Corporation

                         8,683        14,209        12        22,904   

POSCO CHEMTECH

    32,670        4,500        37,170        54,636        11,398        18,062        84,096   

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

    18,680        2,585        21,265                               

POSCO TMC Co., Ltd.

    63,521        31        63,552               180        195        375   

POSCO AST

    54,844        54        54,898               1,915        3,294        5,209   

POSHIMETAL Co., Ltd.

    707        9        716               10,148               10,148   

Daewoo International Corporation

    144,970               144,970                               

POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited

    65,152        2        65,154        542                      542   

POSCO America Corporation

    38,715               38,715                               

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

    299,608        235        299,843        21,198        69               21,267   

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

    16,689               16,689                               

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

    94,588               94,588                               

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

    205,390        20        205,410                               

Others

    172,019        5,035        177,054        18,208        45,476        23,985        87,669   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1,326,715        49,912        1,376,627        115,195        221,022        53,692        389,909   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Associates and joint ventures

             

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.)

    1,201               1,201        161        15               176   

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

    123        19        142        1,901        46,159               48,060   

SNNC

    298        20        318        639        2               641   

Others

    740        12,200        12,940               145               145   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2,362        12,239        14,601        2,701        46,321               49,022   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      1,329,077        62,151        1,391,228        117,896        267,343        53,692        438,931   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-99


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(c) Significant transactions between the Company, excluding the controlling company, and related companies for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

1) December 31, 2013

 

     Sales and others      Purchase and others  
     Sales      Others      Purchase of
material
     Others  
     (in millions of Won)  

Associates and joint ventures

           

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

   307,037         4,909                   

SNNC

     95,748         96                 10   

Gunggi Green Energy

     173,460                           

Posco e&c Songdo International Building

     6,670                         22,487   

SUNGJIN GEOTEC Co., Ltd.

     12,823         435         2,609         101,332   

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

     118         135         7,909           

USS-POSCO Industries

     416,826                 4,931           

AN KHANH NEW CITY DEVELOPMENT J.V CO., LTD.

     42,894                           

CSP — Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     832,275                           

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     149,356                 125,121           

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

     2                 29,757           

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     46,689         62         3           

Zhangjiagang Pohang Refractories Co., Ltd.

     1,129         288         24,787         2,526   

Sebang Steel

                     56,343           

SHANGHAI WAIGAOQIAO FREE TRADE ZONE LANSHENG DAEWOO IN’L TRADING CO., LTD.

     260,547                         14,657   

KOREA LNG LTD.

             21,999                   

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

             10,258                   

Others

     206,075         30,480         26,685         1,725   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       2,551,649         68,662         278,145         142,737   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2) December 31, 2014

 

     Sales and others      Purchase and others  
     Sales      Others      Purchase of
material
     Others  
     (in millions of Won)  

Associates and joint ventures

           

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

   492,134         227                 58   

SNNC

     131,181         441         3,798         3,690   

Posco e&c Songdo International Building

     6,311                         23,502   

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

     20,614         2         1,758         123,720   

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

     4,590         660         14,828           

USS-POSCO Industries

     484,007                 4,003           

AN KHANH NEW CITY DEVELOPMENT J.V CO., LTD.

     3,793                           

CSP — Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     1,524,040                           

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     140,512         103         110,371           

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     48,863                           

Zhangjiagang Pohang Refractories Co., Ltd.

     909         377         21,395         2,716   

Sebang Steel

                     39,908           

SHANGHAI WAIGAOQIAO FREE TRADE ZONE LANSHENG DAEWOO IN’L TRADING CO., LTD.

     219,595                         11,542   

DMSA/AMSA

     31         7,621                   

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

             27,305                   

Others

     214,661         22,607         41,638         5,287   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       3,291,241         59,343         237,699         170,515   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-100


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

3) December 31, 2015

 

     Sales and others      Purchase and others  
     Sales      Others      Purchase of
material
     Others  
     (in millions of Won)  

Associates and joint ventures

           

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.)

   32,802                 49,862         1,977   

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

     7,218                 5,953         6,386   

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

     420,094                         667   

SNNC

     32,160         44         6,518         53,260   

Posco e&c Songdo International Building

     6,278                         25,197   

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

     37,416                 2,395         3   

USS-POSCO Industries

     353,626                 1,109           

CSP — Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     845,979                           

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     68,300         111         70,236           

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

     3                 23,320           

POS-SEAHSTEELWIRE(TIANJIN) CO., Ltd

     9,668                           

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     30,310                 4           

Zhangjiagang Pohang Refractories Co., Ltd.

     970         1,248         17,484         2,023   

Sebang Steel

                     29,007           

SHANGHAI WAIGAOQIAO FREE TRADE ZONE LANSHENG DAEWOO IN’L TRADING CO., LTD.

     214,521                 3,960         3,190   

DMSA/AMSA

     800         9,322         241,074           

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

             47,556                   

Others

     415,217         17,793         18,518         2,683   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       2,475,362         76,074         469,440         95,386   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-101


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(d) The related account balances of significant transactions between the Company, excluding the controlling company, and related companies as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 are as follows:

1) December 31, 2014

 

    Receivables     Payables  
    Trade accounts and
notes receivable
    Loan     Others     Total     Trade accounts and
notes payable
    Others     Total  
    (in millions of Won)  

Associates and joint ventures

             

METAPOLIS Co., Ltd.

  28,437        26,000        6,712        61,149                        

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

    336,796               52,969        389,765               20        20   

SNNC

    19,173               1,937        21,110        3,395        98        3,493   

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd.

    48,804                      48,804                        

UI TRANS CORPORATION

    33,424                      33,424                        

USS-POSCO Industries

    150,557                      150,557        153               153   

Nickel Mining Company SAS

    609        16,488        58        17,155               4,729        4,729   

AN KHANH NEW CITY DEVELOPMENT J.V CO., LTD.

    51,166        54,960        282        106,408               4,020        4,020   

CSP — Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

    366,914               114,041        480,955               167,302        167,302   

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co.,

    31,521        11,212        5        42,738        12,000               12,000   

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

           34,342               34,342                        

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

    13,539        10,992        43        24,574                        

SHANGHAI WAIGAOQIAO FREE TRADE ZONE LANSHENG DAEWOO IN’L TRADING CO., LTD.

    139,831                      139,831        35               35   

DMSA/AMSA

    4,211        140,544        445        145,200                        

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

           295,352               295,352                        

Others

    80,772        27,170        10,676        118,618        8,402        23,919        32,321   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1,305,754        617,060        187,168        2,109,982        23,985        200,088        224,073   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

2) December 31, 2015

 

    Receivables     Payables  
    Trade accounts and
notes receivable
    Loan     Others     Total     Trade accounts and
notes payable
    Others     Total  
    (in millions of Won)  

Associates and joint ventures

             

SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel (formerly, POSCO Specialty Steel Co., Ltd.)

  8,721                      8,721        3,489        19        3,508   

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

    9,853               6        9,859        6,263        8,908        15,171   

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

    168,646               25,964        194,610               14        14   

Posco e&c Songdo International Building

    5,821                      5,821                        

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

    17,283                      17,283        34               34   

USS-POSCO Industries

    170,170                      170,170        9               9   

Nickel Mining Company SAS

    2,353        17,580        67        20,000                        

AN KHANH NEW CITY DEVELOPMENT J.V CO., LTD.

    63,132        58,600        642        122,374               3,982        3,982   

CSP — Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

    410,005               118,112        528,117               138,111        138,111   

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

    9,455        10,782        6        20,243        3,999               3,999   

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

           36,830               36,830                        

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

    8,961        11,720        48        20,729        4               4   

SHANGHAI WAIGAOQIAO FREE TRADE ZONE LANSHENG DAEWOO IN’L TRADING CO., LTD.

    90,195                      90,195        921               921   

DMSA/AMSA

           99,854               99,854                        

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

           283,954               283,954                        

Others

    192,621        52,034        13,648        258,303        12,591        21,181        33,772   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      1,157,216        571,354        158,493        1,887,063        27,310        172,215        199,525   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(e) Significant financial transactions between the Company, excluding the controlling company, and related companies for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

1) December 31, 2014

 

     Beginning      Lend      Collect     Others (*1)     Ending  
     (in millions of Won)  

Associates and joint ventures

            

Taegisan Wind Power Corporation

   862         3,470         (4,332              

METAPOLIS Co., Ltd.

             26,000                       26,000   

DMSA/AMSA

     109,583         26,096                4,865        140,544   

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     259,551         26,819         (3,308     12,290        295,352   

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

             34,102                240        34,342   

PT. Tanggamus Electric Power

             1,660                73        1,733   

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

     10,750                 (8,785     59        2,024   

PT. POSMI Steel Indonesia

     4,221                        176        4,397   

Nickel Mining Company SAS

             15,790                698        16,488   

POSK(Pinghu) Steel Processing Center Co., Ltd.

     10,342                        430        10,772   

AN KHANH NEW CITY
DEVELOPMENT J.V CO., LTD.

     52,765                        2,195        54,960   

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao)
Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     10,764                        448        11,212   

Hamparan Mulia

             3,158                140        3,298   

POS-SEAHSTEELWIRE (TIANJIN) CO., Ltd

             4,602                344        4,946   

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     12,664                 (1,263     (409     10,992   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       471,502         141,697         (17,688     21,549        617,060   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) Includes adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

2) December 31, 2015

 

     Beginning      Lend      Collect     Others (*2)     Ending  
     (in millions of Won)  

Associates and joint ventures

            

METAPOLIS Co., Ltd.

   26,000                               26,000   

DMSA/AMSA (*1)

     140,544         21,653                (62,343     99,854   

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     295,352                 (29,885     18,487        283,954   

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     34,342                        2,488        36,830   

PT. Tanggamus Electric Power

     1,733         493                133        2,359   

PT. Wampu Electric Power

             4,299                155        4,454   

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

     2,024                 (2,024              

PT. POSMI Steel Indonesia

     4,397                        291        4,688   

Nickel Mining Company SAS

     16,488                        1,092        17,580   

POSK(Pinghu) Steel Processing Center Co., Ltd.

     10,772                 (5,543     514        5,743   

AN KHANH NEW CITY
DEVELOPMENT J.V CO., LTD.

     54,960                        3,640        58,600   

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao)
Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     11,212                 (1,132     702        10,782   

Hamparan Mulia

     3,298                        218        3,516   

POS-SEAHSTEELWIRE (TIANJIN) CO., Ltd

     4,946                        328        5,274   

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     10,992                        728        11,720   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       617,060         26,445         (38,584     (33,567     571,354   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) During the year ended December 31, 2015, loans amounting to 72,430 have been converted to shares of DMSA/AMSA, and its amount is included in others.

 

(*2) Includes adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(f) For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, details of compensation to key management officers were as follows:

 

     2013      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Short-term benefits

   121,054         116,961         111,278   

Long-term benefits

     23,480         17,242         19,513   

Retirement benefits

     20,713         21,604         21,850   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       165,247         155,807         152,641   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Key management officers include directors (including non-standing directors), executive officials and fellow officials who have significant influences and responsibilities in the Company’s business and operations.

 

38. Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities may develop in a way not initially expected. Therefore, management continuously assesses contingent liabilities to determine whether an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits has become probable. If it becomes probable that an outflow of future economic benefits will be required for an item previously dealt with as a contingent liability, a provision is recognized in the financial statements of the period in which the change in probability occurs (except in the extremely rare circumstances where no reliable estimate can be made).

Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect disclosures of commitments and contingencies. All estimates and assumptions are based on the evaluation of current circumstances and appraisals with the supports of internal specialists or external consultants.

Management regularly analyzes current information about these matters and provides for probable contingent losses including the estimate of legal expense to resolve the matters. Internal and external lawyers are used for these assessments. In making the decision regarding the need for a provision, management considers whether the Company has an obligation as a result of a past event, whether it is probable that an outflow or cash or other resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and the ability to make a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(b) Details of guarantees

Contingent liabilities on outstanding guarantees provided by the Company as of December 31, 2015, are as follows:

 

            

Guarantee limit

    Guarantee amount  

Guarantors

 

Guarantee
beneficiary

 

Financial
institution

 

Foreign currency

    Won
equivalent
    Foreign
currency
    Won
equivalent
 
    (in millions of Won)  

[The Company]

             

POSCO

  POSCO ASSAN TST STEEL INDUSTRY   HSBC and others   USD     146,527,500        171,730        131,874,750        154,557   
  POSCO COATED STEEL (THAILAND) CO., LTD.   The Great & CO Co., Ltd (SPC)   THB     5,501,000,000        178,672        5,501,000,000        178,672   
  POSCO Electrical Steel India Private Limited   ING and others   USD     83,784,000        98,195        83,784,000        98,195   
  POSCO Investment Co., Ltd.   BOA and others   USD     335,000,000        392,620        272,000,000        318,784   
  POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD     566,069,000        663,433        466,562,100        546,811   
  POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.   HSBC and others   USD     284,725,000        333,698        234,725,000        275,098   
  POSCO SS-VINA   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD     354,351,050        415,300        354,351,050        415,300   
  POSCO VST CO., LTD.   ANZ and others   USD     65,000,000        76,180        40,625,000        47,613   
  POSCO(Guangdong) Automotive Steel Co., Ltd.   SMBC and others   USD     65,000,000        76,180        65,000,000        76,180   
  POSCO-VIETNAM Co., Ltd.   Export-Import Bank of Korea   USD     196,000,000        229,712        196,000,000        229,712   
  PT. KRAKATAU POSCO   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD     1,350,300,000        1,582,552        1,234,532,175        1,446,874   
  Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.   MIZUHO and others   USD     130,000,000        152,360        130,000,000        152,360   

Daewoo International Corporation

  Daewoo International INDIA Private Ltd.   Shinhan Bank   USD     20,000,000        23,440        8,799,114        10,313   
  Daewoo Paper Manufacturing Co., Ltd.   HSBC   USD     12,500,000        14,650        12,500,000        14,650   
  DAEWOO TEXTILE BUKHARA LLC   Export-Import Bank of Korea   USD     12,000,000        14,064        12,000,000        14,064   
  POSCO ASSAN TST STEEL INDUSTRY   ING and others   USD     14,652,750        17,173        14,652,750        17,173   
  PT. Bio Inti Agrindo   Export-Import Bank of Korea   USD     59,500,000        69,734        59,500,000        69,734   

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

  HONG KONG POSCO E&C (CHINA) INVESTMENT Co., Ltd.   Woori Bank and others   USD     147,000,000        172,284        141,500,000        165,838   

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

            

Guarantee limit

    Guarantee amount  

Guarantors

 

Guarantee
beneficiary

 

Financial
institution

 

Foreign currency

    Won
equivalent
    Foreign
currency
    Won
equivalent
 
    (in millions of Won)  
  POSCO E&C Vietnam Co., Ltd.   Export-Import Bank of Korea   USD     16,500,000        19,338        16,500,000        19,338   
  POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION DO BRAZIL LTDA.   HSBC   USD     100,000,000        117,200        100,000,000        117,200   
  SANTOSCMI S.A.   SG Bank and others   USD     2,163,000        2,535        2,163,000        2,535   
  POSCO Engineering and Construction India   Shinhan Bank   USD     70,000,000        82,040        68,500,000        80,282   
  Private Limited            

POSCO ICT

  PT.POSCO ICT INDONESIA   POSCO INVESTMENT Co., Ltd.   USD     2,100,000        2,461        2,100,000        2,461   

POSCO Engineering CO., Ltd

  POSCO ENGINEERING (THAILAND) CO., LTD.   HSBC   USD     16,000,000        18,752        16,000,000        18,752   
  PT PEN INDONESIA   POSCO INVESTMENT Co., Ltd.   USD     6,000,000        7,032        6,000,000        7,032   

POSCO CHEMTECH

  KRAKATAU POS-CHEM DONG-SUH CHEMICAL   Hana Bank   USD     5,883,750        6,896        4,247,731        4,978   
  PT.Krakatau Posco Chemtech Calcination   KEB Bank   USD     33,600,000        39,379        28,235,294        33,092   

POSCO Processing & Service

  POSCO Canada Ltd.   Hana Bank   USD     9,363,375        10,974        8,917,500        10,451   
  POSCO Gulf SFC LLC   KEB Bank and others   USD     33,000,000        38,676        28,900,000        33,871   

DAEWOO TEXTILE BUKHARA LLC

  DAEWOO TEXTILE FERGANA LLC   National Bank of Uzbekistan   USD     6,127,060        7,181        6,127,060        7,181   

DAEWOO TEXTILE FERGANA LLC

  DAEWOO TEXTILE BUKHARA LLC   Bukhara TEX   USD     2,320,273        2,719        2,320,273        2,719   

POSCO E&C CHINA CO., LTD.

  HONG KONG POSCO E&C (CHINA) INVESTMENT Co., Ltd.   Woori Bank   USD     17,000,000        19,924        13,000,000        15,236   

POSCO INVESTMENT Co., Ltd.

  Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.   BOA and others   USD     103,000,000        120,716        72,000,000        84,384   

POSCO-China Holding Corp.

  DONG FANG JIN HONG   Bank of Communications and others   CNY     1,850,000,000        334,018        1,604,614,736        289,713   

POSCO-Japan Co., Ltd.

  POSCO-JEPC Co., Ltd.   MIZUHO and others   JPY     1,021,811,730        9,932        90,024,190        875   
  POSCO-JWPC Co., Ltd.   Higo Bank and others   JPY     974,000,000        9,467        745,600,000        7,247   
  Xenesys Inc.   Aozora Bank   JPY     250,000,000        2,430        200,000,000        1,944   

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

            

Guarantee limit

    Guarantee amount  

Guarantors

 

Guarantee
beneficiary

 

Financial
institution

 

Foreign currency

    Won
equivalent
    Foreign
currency
    Won
equivalent
 
    (in millions of Won)  

POSCO-VIETNAM CO., LTD.

  POSCO   Export-Import Bank of Korea   USD     196,000,000        229,712        196,000,000        229,712   

SANTOS CMI S.A.

  COMPANIADEAUTO- MATIZACION & CONTROL, GENESYS S.A.   Banco de Guayaquil and others   USD     670,000        785        570,000        668   

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

  Myanmar POSCO C&C Company, Limited.   POSCO INVESTMENT Co., Ltd.   USD     13,986,947        16,393        13,986,947        16,393   

PT.POSCO ICT INDONESIA

  POSCO LED CO., LTD   UOB   KRW     8,000        8,000        8,000        8,000   

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

  PT. Krakatau Posco Energy   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD     193,900,000        227,251        169,724,685        198,917   

[Associates and joint ventures]

             

POSCO

  CSP — Compania Siderurgica do Pecem   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD     420,000,000        492,239        373,121,694        437,298   
    BNDES   BRL     464,060,000        137,366        274,129,418        81,145   
  LLP POSUK Titanium   KB Bank   USD     15,000,000        17,580        15,000,000        17,580   

Daewoo International Corporation

  GLOBAL KOMSCO Daewoo LLC   ICBC and others   USD     8,225,000        9,640        8,225,000        9,640   

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

  NSIC and others   Others   KRW     696,600        696,600        687,100        687,100   

POSCO ICT

  INCHEON GIMPO EXPRESSWAY CO., LTD   KDB Bank   KRW     100,000        100,000        100,000        100,000   
  UI TRANS CORPORATION   KB Bank   KRW     76,000        76,000        76,000        76,000   

POSCO CHEMTECH

  PT.INDONESIA POS CHEMTECH CHOSUN Ref   KEB Bank   USD     4,500,000        5,274        4,500,000        5,274   

POSCO Processing&Service

  Sebang Steel   Shinhan Bank   JPY     122,500,000        1,191        122,500,000        1,191   

DAEWOO (CHINA) CO., LTD.

  SHANGHAI LANSHENG DAEWOO CORP.   Bank of Communications   CNY     30,000,000        5,417        30,000,000        5,417   
  SHANGHAI WAIGAOQIAO FREE TRADE ZONE LANSHENG DAEWOO IN’L TRADING CO., LTD.   Bank of Communications   CNY     50,000,000        9,028        50,000,000        9,028   

[Others]

             

Daewoo International Corporation

  Ambatovy Project Investments Limited and others   Export-Import Bank of Korea   USD     115,362,525        135,205        74,482,525        87,294   

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

            

Guarantee limit

    Guarantee amount  

Guarantors

 

Guarantee
beneficiary

 

Financial
institution

 

Foreign currency

    Won
equivalent
    Foreign
currency
    Won
equivalent
 
    (in millions of Won)  

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

  Ecocity CO., LTD and others   Others   KRW     768,150        768,150        484,202        484,202   
  THE GALE INVESTMENTS COMPANY, L.L.C.   Woori Bank   USD     50,000,000        58,600        50,000,000        58,600   

POSCO ICT

  Hyochun CO., LTD   Daegu Bank and others   KRW     39,575        39,575        39,575        39,575   
  SMS Energy and others   Hana Bank and others   KRW     295,420        295,420        179,313        179,313   
  BLT Enterprise and others   Kyobo Life Insurance Co., Ltd and others   KRW     1,823,015        1,823,015        1,823,015        1,823,015   

POSCO Engineering CO., Ltd

  SAMJIN SOLAR ENERGY and others   Hana Bank and others   KRW     22,440        22,440        11,966        11,966   

Daewoo International Japan Corp.

  Daewoo International Japan Corp.   HSBC   JPY     800,000,000        7,776        800,000,000        7,776   

HUME COAL PTY LTD

  Department of Trade and Investment (NSW Government)   Woori Bank   AUD     804,000        686        804,000        686   

POSCO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

  Department of Trade and Investment (NSW Government)   Woori Bank   AUD     8,023,765        6,845        8,023,765        6,845   

POSCO(Suzhou) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

      CNY     2,925,000        528        2,242,500        405   
  POS INFRA AUTO   Shinhan Bank          
      USD     405,000        475        405,000        475   
     

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      USD     5,283,516,230        6,192,282        4,739,432,648        5,554,619   
      KRW     3,829,200        3,829,200        3,409,171        3,409,171   
      CNY     1,932,925,000        348,991        1,686,857,236        304,563   
      THB     5,501,000,000        178,672        5,501,000,000        178,672   
      JPY     3,168,311,730        30,796        1,958,124,190        19,033   
      AUD     8,827,765        7,531        8,827,765        7,531   
      BRL     464,060,000        137,366        274,129,418        81,145   
     

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(c) POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION Co., Ltd. has provided the completion guarantees for Samsung C&T Corporation amounting to 1,007,107 million while Samsung C&T Corporation has provided the construction guarantees or payment guarantees on customers’ borrowings on behalf of POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION Co., Ltd. amounting to 708,400 million as of December 31, 2015.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(d) Other commitments

Details of other commitments of the Company as of December 31, 2015, are as follows:

 

POSCO

  

POSCO entered into long-term contracts to purchase iron ore, coal, nickel and others. The contracts of iron ore and coal generally have terms of more than three years and the contracts of nickel have terms of more than one year. These contracts provide for periodic price adjustments based on the market price. As of December 31, 2015, 166 million tons of iron ore and 26 million tons of coal remained to be purchased under such long-term contracts.

 

POSCO entered into an agreement with Tangguh Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Consortium in Indonesia to purchase 550 thousand tons of LNG annually for 20 years commencing in August 2005. The purchase price is subject to change, based on changes of the monthly standard oil price (JCC) and with a price ceiling.

 

As of December 31, 2015, POSCO entered into commitments with Korea National Oil Corporation for long-term foreign currency borrowings, which enables POSCO to borrow up to the amount of USD 24.50 million, USD 8.25 million and USD 6.49 million. The borrowings are related to POSCO’s exploration of gas hydrates in Aral Sea, Uzbekistan, the exploration of gas hydrates in Namangan-Chust and the exploration of gas hydrates in Western Fergana-Chenavard, respectively. The repayment of the borrowings depends on the success of the projects. POSCO is not liable for the repayment of full or part of the amount borrowed if the respective projects fail. POSCO has agreed to pay a certain portion of its profits under certain conditions, as defined by the borrowing agreements. As of December 31, 2015, the ending balance of the borrowing amounts to USD 12.35 million.

 

   POSCO has provided a supplemental funding agreement, as the largest shareholder, as requested from the creditors, including Norddeutsche Landesbank, for seamless funding to POSCO ENERGY Co., Ltd. under construction of new power plant

POSCO ENGINEERING

& CONSTRUCTION

CO., LTD.

  

 

As of December 31, 2015, POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. has comprehensive loan agreements of up to 253.5 billion and USD 278 million with Woori Bank and 90 billion and USD 800 million with KEB Bank. Also, POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. has bank overdraft agreements of up to 20 billion with Woori Bank which is included in the limit of billion comprehensive loan agreements and 3 billion with KEB Bank. Comprehensive loan agreements include bank overdraft up to 20 billion of loans on checking account during the day with Woori Bank.

 

POSCO ICT

  

As of December 31, 2015, in relation to contract enforcement, POSCO ICT was provided with 67,032 million and 54,904 million guaranties from Korea Software Financial Cooperative and Seoul Guarantee Insurance, respectively.

 

(e) Litigation in progress

As of December 31, 2015, POSCO and certain subsidiaries are defendants in legal actions arising from the normal course of business.

1) Civil lawsuits with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation

In April 2012, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (“NSSMC”) filed a civil lawsuit in the Tokyo District Court of Japan against POSCO and POSCO JAPAN Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of POSCO, alleging violation of trade secrets and seeking prohibition on production and sales of grain oriented electrical steel sheets and compensation from the Company of 958.4 billion. On September 30, 2015, pursuant to the agreement between POSCO and NSSMC, the pending lawsuit filed by NSSMC was withdrawn, along with all related lawsuits to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two companies. On the same date, the Company paid 299 billion as the settlement to NSSMC, therefore all litigations were withdrawn and closed.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

2) Other lawsuits and claims

 

Company

   Legal
actions
     Claim amount      Korean Won
equivalent
     Description
     (In millions of Won, in thousands of foreign currencies)

POSCO

     35       KRW      122,008         122,008       Lawsuit on claim for damages and
others (*1)
     1       USD      5,410         6,341       Arbitration

Daewoo International Corporation

     1       EUR      3,270         4,187       Lawsuit on claim for payment
     1       INR      4,458,849         78,610       Lawsuit on claim for payment on
guarantees (*1)
     9       KRW      11,296         11,296       Lawsuit on claim for payment and
others
     6       USD      19,249         22,560       Lawsuit on claim for payment and
others (*1)

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION., LTD.

     60       KRW      146,545         146,545       Lawsuit on claim for payment on
rent fees by PSIB and others

POSCO Processing&Service

     2       KRW      151         151       Revoking of fraudulent act and
others and others (*1)

POSCO Engineering CO., Ltd

     14       KRW      196,557         196,557       Lawsuit on claim for payment and
others (*1)

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

     1       KRW      200         200       Lawsuit on claim for payment and
others

POSCO ICT

     10       KRW      11,233         11,233       Lawsuit on claim for payment on
construction and others

POSCO America Corporation

     1       USD                    Lawsuit on claim for anti-trust and
others

POSCO M-TECH

     3       KRW      1,030         1,030       Lawsuit on claim for payment and
others

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

     1       KRW      5,000         5,000       Lawsuit on claim for payment and
revocation of electricity supply
contract

POSCO E&C CHINA CO., LTD.

     2       CNY      3,338         603       Lawsuit on claim for payment of
reserve for construction warranty
     1       KRW      3,305         3,305       Lawsuit on claim for payment on
construction

Daewoo International (America) Corp.

     2       USD      10,456         12,254       Lawsuit on claim clam for
indemnification damages and
others

POSPOWER Co., Ltd.

     2       KRW      10,667         10,667       Lawsuit on claim for payment on
service contract

POSCO TNPC Otomotiv Celik San. Ve Tic. A.S

     2       TRY                    Lawsuit on claim for unfair
dismissal

SPFC CO., LTD

     1       KRW      4,717         4,717       Lawsuit on claim for payment

BLUE O&M

     1       KRW                    Charges under occupation safety
and health acts

POSCO CHEMTECH

     1       KRW      657         657       Lawsuit on claim for payment on
construction

PT. KRAKATAU POSCO

     2       IDR      180,096,201         15,308       Lawsuit on claim for payment on
construction and others

SANTOS CMI S.A.

     1       USD      322         377       Lawsuit on claim for dismissal
payment

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION DO BRAZIL LTDA.

     18       BRL      22,309         6,604       Lawsuit on claim for payment and
others

POSCO E&C VIETNAM CO., LTD.

     2       USD      39         46       Lawsuit on claim for severance
payment and others

POSCO-TISCO (JILIN) PROCESSING CENTER CO., LTD.

     1       CNY      1,682         304       Lawsuit over execution of long-
term note receivables

Brazil Sao Paulo Steel Processing Center

     4       BRL      979         290       Lawsuit on claim for payment on
construction and others

 

 

(*1) The Company made a reliable estimate in nine lawsuits by considering the possibility and amount of outflow of resources and recognized 46,001 million as provision for legal contingencies and claims.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

For all the other lawsuits and claims, management does not believe the Company has any present obligations and therefore, the Company has not recognized any provisions as of December 31, 2015 for the matters.

 

39. Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Adjustments for operating cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2013     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Trade accounts and notes receivable

       (643,715)        (97,703     1,586,113   

Other receivables

     (98,420     (27,601     259,741   

Inventories

     491,512        (1,130,138     2,456,068   

Other current assets

     181,755        242,170        42,131   

Other non-current assets

     (23,412     (53,225     72,826   

Trade accounts and notes payable

     47,323        (385,914     (894,129

Other payables

     194,419        271,117        39,811   

Other current liabilities

     81,317        (20,930     (457,947

Provisions

     (42,052     (63,884     (119,172

Payments severance benefits

     (129,038     (160,792     (157,983

Plan assets

     (172,147     (164,515     (115,274

Other non-current liabilities

     4,158        (262,367     72,267   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (108,300     (1,853,782     2,784,452   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

40. Non-Cash Transactions

Significant non-cash transactions for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Acquisition of available-for-sale investment through exchanging shares

       —         295,398   

Transferred to assets held for sale

     2,213,673         933,530   

Transferred to liabilities related to assets held for sale

     621,303         169,312   

 

41. Operating Segments and Geographic Information

(a) The Company’s operating businesses are organized based on the nature of markets and customers. The Company has four reportable operating segments — steel, construction, trading and others. The steel segment includes production of steel products and revenue of such products. The construction segment includes planning, designing and construction of industrial plants, civil engineering projects and commercial and residential buildings, both in Korea and overseas. The trading segment consists of exporting and importing a wide range of steel products and raw materials that are both obtained from and supplied to POSCO, as well as between other suppliers and purchasers in Korea and overseas. Other segments include power generation, liquefied natural gas production, network and system integration and logistics.

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(b) Information about reportable segments as of and for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 was as follows:

1) As of and for the year ended December 31, 2013

 

     Steel     Trading     Construction     Others     Total  
    (in millions of Won)  

External revenues

      31,794,574        18,307,888        6,896,838        4,865,350        61,864,650   

Internal revenues

    16,229,002        7,611,372        3,885,190        3,019,246        30,744,810   

Inter segment revenue

    9,223,276        3,817,644        3,539,891        2,881,039        19,461,850   

Total revenues

    48,023,576        25,919,260        10,782,028        7,884,596        92,609,460   

Interest income

    162,149        46,064        47,070        19,892        275,175   

Interest expenses

    (412,142     (77,375     (48,030     (106,824     (644,371

Depreciation and amortization

    (2,383,010     (43,775     (36,614     (235,365     (2,698,764

Impairment loss of property, plant and equipment and others

    (34,153     (975     (4,058     (11,875     (51,061

Impairment loss of available-for-sale financial assets

    (203,468     (435     (97,919     (10,172     (311,994

Share of profit or loss of investment in associates
and JVs

    (250,084     (131,534     (71,068     (26,326     (479,012

Income tax expense

    (466,756     (27,549     (87,660     (73,371     (655,336

Segment profit

    1,449,446        9,516        147,177        197,449        1,803,588   

Segment assets

    73,860,997        11,640,931        9,888,590        8,843,652        104,234,170   

Investment in associates

    16,863,991        1,019,252        1,090,089        598,775        19,572,107   

Acquisition of non-current assets

    5,955,799        242,413        150,469        1,191,243        7,539,924   

Segment liabilities

    23,774,850        8,649,557        6,068,059        5,059,440        43,551,906   

2) As of and for the year ended December 31, 2014

 

     Steel     Trading     Construction     Others     Total  
    (in millions of Won)  

External revenues

      31,841,748        21,165,806        8,119,207        3,971,684        65,098,445   

Internal revenues

    17,755,182        10,095,123        2,184,519        3,094,647        33,129,471   

Inter segment revenue

    10,159,110        5,180,926        1,679,443        2,920,354        19,939,833   

Total revenues

    49,596,930        31,260,929        10,303,726        7,066,331        98,227,916   

Interest income

    148,288        47,905        27,297        18,694        242,184   

Interest expenses

    (524,735     (92,855     (61,954     (127,843     (807,387

Depreciation and amortization

    (2,779,723     (121,163     (52,268     (331,444     (3,284,598

Impairment loss of property, plant and equipment and others

    (137,708     (35,131     756        (50,085     (222,168

Impairment loss of available-for-sale financial assets

    (352,830     (1,097     (24,588     (14,444     (392,959

Share of profit or loss of investment in associates and JVs

    (217,491     (29,263     (53,226     (23,559     (323,539

Income tax expense

    (691,030     (114,587     (45,147     (21,415     (872,179

Segment profit

    857,148        181,243        13,085        8,536        1,060,012   

Segment assets

    74,138,707        13,597,301        10,396,691        10,742,877        108,875,576   

Investment in associates

    18,227,743        1,076,373        1,091,402        1,154,187        21,549,705   

Acquisition of non-current assets

    2,348,979        399,273        701,019        906,685        4,355,956   

Segment liabilities

    23,750,464        10,384,329        6,345,852        6,139,971        46,620,616   

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

3) As of and for the year ended December 31, 2015

 

     Steel     Trading     Construction     Others     Total  
    (in millions of Won)  

External revenues

      28,292,824        18,315,487        8,515,780        3,068,254        58,192,345   

Internal revenues

    16,543,951        8,692,020        1,352,067        2,691,361        29,279,399   

Inter segment revenue

    9,146,808        4,480,744        1,090,193        2,571,219        17,288,964   

Total revenues

    44,836,775        27,007,507        9,867,847        5,759,615        87,471,744   

Interest income

    139,821        55,630        27,134        16,173        238,758   

Interest expenses

    (560,767     (76,672     (91,742     (141,095     (870,276

Depreciation and amortization

    (2,782,680     (166,814     (50,605     (282,817     (3,282,916

Impairment loss of property, plant and equipment and others

    (243,828     (17,281     (28,345     (22,979     (312,433

Impairment loss of available-for-sale financial assets

    (151,503     (1,410     (47,616     (40,261     (240,790

Share of profit or loss of investment in associates and JVs

    (562,133     (212,535     (25,223     (22,618     (822,509

Income tax expense

    (390,000     (4,772     (30,615     (18,718     (444,105

Segment profit

    181,495        38,843        (275,651     (65,570     (120,883

Segment assets

    70,102,972        12,160,406        9,997,683        10,962,594        103,223,655   

Investment in associates

    17,457,391        1,097,971        1,076,024        1,186,307        20,817,693   

Acquisition of non-current assets

    2,102,674        303,753        276,863        345,971        3,029,261   

Segment liabilities

    21,078,613        8,953,410        5,716,550        6,472,925        42,221,498   

(c) Reconciliations of total segment revenues, profit or loss, assets and liabilities, and other significant items to their respective consolidated financial statement line items are as follows:

1) Revenues

 

     2013     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Total revenue for reportable segments

   92,609,460        98,227,916        87,471,744   

Elimination of inter-segment revenue

     (30,744,810     (33,129,471     (29,279,399

Basis difference (*2)

     (98,907     (339,820     329,923   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       61,765,743        64,758,625        58,522,268   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2) Profit

 

     2013     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Total profit for reportable segments

   1,803,588        1,060,012        (120,883

Goodwill and corporate FV adjustments

     (91,718     (122,015     (95,150

Elimination of inter-segment profits

     (356,690     (381,338     119,852   

Income tax expense

     590,997        821,485        276,939   

Basis difference (*2)

     (8,132     9,736        (30,413
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before income tax expense

       1,938,045        1,387,880        150,345   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

3) Assets

 

     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Total assets for reportable segments (*1)

   108,875,576        103,223,655   

Equity-accounted investees

     (17,487,024     (16,872,523

Goodwill and corporate FV adjustments

     4,282,455        3,390,277   

Elimination of inter-segment assets

     (10,418,834     (9,332,650

Basis difference (*2)

     591,390        339,211   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
       85,843,563        80,747,970   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(*1) As segment assets and liabilities are determined based on separate financial statements, for subsidiaries which are in a different segment from that of its immediate parent company, their carrying amount in separate financial statements is eliminated upon consolidation. In addition, adjustments are made to adjust the amount of investment in associates and joint ventures from the amount reflected in segment assets to that determined using equity method in consolidated financial statements.

4) Liabilities

 

     2014     2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Total liabilities for reportable segments

   46,620,616        42,221,498   

Corporate FV adjustments

     507,073        321,793   

Elimination of inter-segment liabilities

     (7,166,880     (7,204,754

Basis difference (*2)

     625,358        396,232   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
       40,586,167        35,734,769   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

5) Other significant items

a) December 31, 2013

 

     Total segment     Corporate FV
adjustments
    Elimination of
inter-segment
transactions
    Basis difference  (*2)     Consolidated  
    (in millions of Won)  

Interest income

          275,175               (14,777            260,398   

Interest expenses

    (644,371     (34,814     21,504               (657,681

Depreciation and amortization

    (2,698,764     (84,223     97,437               (2,685,550

Share of profit or loss of investment in associates

    (479,012            299,203               (179,809

Income tax expense

    (655,336     25,074        39,265        1,968        (589,029

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and others

    (51,061            (97,424            (148,485

Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets

    (311,994            31,757               (280,237
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (4,565,363     (93,963     376,965        1,968        (4,280,393
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

b) December 31, 2014

 

      Total segment     Corporate FV
adjustments
    Elimination of
inter-segment
transactions
    Basis
difference  (*2)
    Consolidated  
     (in millions of Won)  

Interest income

           242,184               (13,930            228,254   

Interest expenses

     (807,387     (45,668     57,470               (795,585

Depreciation and amortization

     (3,284,598     (111,263     157,312               (3,238,549

Share of profit or loss of investment in associates

     (323,539            23,646               (299,893

Income tax expense

     (872,179     33,473        17,221        (2,356     (823,841

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and others

     (222,168            47,838               (174,330

Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets

     (392,959            23,236               (369,723
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (5,660,646     (123,458     312,793        (2,356     (5,473,667
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

c) December 31, 2015

 

      Total segment     Corporate FV
adjustments
    Elimination of
inter-segment
transactions
    Basis
difference  (*2)
     Consolidated  
     (in millions of Won)  

Interest income

           238,758               (28,565             210,193   

Interest expenses

     (870,276     1,282        80,222                (788,772

Depreciation and amortization

     (3,282,916     (117,595     182,265                (3,218,246

Share of profit or loss of investment in associates

     (822,509            316,455                (506,054

Income tax expense

     (444,105     24,294        142,872        10,379         (266,560

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and others

     (312,433            (142,234             (454,667

Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets

     (240,790            98,009                (142,781
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   (5,734,271     (92,019     649,024        10,379         (5,166,887
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(*2) Basis difference is related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the CEO and the consolidated financial statements.

(d) Revenue by geographic area for years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 was as follows:

 

      2013      2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Domestic

   45,854,919         45,465,347         39,598,830   

Japan

     1,920,253         2,047,686         1,934,808   

China

     6,493,119         6,319,101         5,756,867   

Asia-other

     3,011,980         5,055,373         5,888,045   

North America

     1,720,895         2,199,418         1,921,039   

Others

     2,764,577         3,671,700         3,422,679   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       61,765,743         64,758,625         58,522,268   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In presenting information on the basis of geography, segment revenue is based on the geographical location of customers.

 

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POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

 

 

(e) Non-current assets by geographic area as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015  
     (in millions of Won)  

Domestic

       33,837,971         32,693,800   

Japan

     177,322         174,979   

China

     1,745,125         1,631,863   

Asia-other

     4,867,569         5,969,215   

North America

     186,753         152,935   

Others

     2,367,036         1,390,109   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   43,181,776         42,012,901   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current assets by geographic area include investment property, property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets.

(f) There are no customers whose revenue is 10% or more of consolidated revenue.

 

F-117


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SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

POSCO

(Registrant)

/s/ Kwon, Oh-Joon

Name:

  Kwon, Oh-Joon

Title:

  Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director

Date:

  April 28, 2016


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

  1.1            Articles of incorporation of POSCO (English translation)
  2.1            Form of Common Stock Certificate (including English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement No. 33-81554)*
  2.2            Form of Deposit Agreement (including Form of American Depositary Receipts) (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-189473) on Form F-6)*
  8.1            List of consolidated subsidiaries
12.1            Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12.2            Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.1            Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

* Filed previously