Global Materials | Industrials | Commodities

Rahul Jain

Equity Bottom-Up

Nippon Steel Corporation / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Nippon Steel has acquired U.S. Steel for $14.2 billion in cash, adding 23 Mt of crude steel capacity and a full U.S. and EU footprint.</li>
<li>The acquisition marks a bold step toward NS’s “100 MT Vision,” diversifying earnings beyond Japan and strengthening presence in a geopolitically stable market.</li>
<li>U.S. Steel remains heavily BF–based and tied to a structurally flat demand market; long-term steel consumption in the U.S. has declined, making returns dependent on aggressive modernization &amp; macro tailwinds.</li>
</ul>


Nippon Steel has acquired U.S. Steel for $14.2 billion in cash, adding 23 Mt of crude steel capacity and a full U.S. and EU footprint.
The acquisition marks a bold step toward NS’s “100 MT Vision,” diversifying earnings beyond Japan and strengthening presence in a geopolitically stable market.
U.S. Steel remains heavily BF–based and tied to a structurally flat demand market; long-term steel consumption in the U.S. has declined, making returns dependent on aggressive modernization &amp; macro tailwinds.


Nippon Steel (5401) – $14.2B U.S. Steel Bet Targets Growth, Faces U.S. Market Maturity Risks

Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>Core PCE and CPI inflation remained at 4-year lows in Apr-May'25 despite Trump's tariffs, although June core CPI inflation crept up MoM after further tariff hikes (on steel and aluminium).</li>
<li>M2 growth of just 5.2%YoY (May'25) is a restraining factor on inflation. However, tariff hikes have been much higher than we expected, with most trading partners failing to negotiate reductions. </li>
<li>For consistency with 2024 cuts, the FOMC likely will cut rates this month. But the tariff hikes on most trading partners will push core inflation toward 3%, disallowing further cuts. </li>
</ul>


Core PCE and CPI inflation remained at 4-year lows in Apr-May'25 despite Trump's tariffs, although June core CPI inflation crept up MoM after further tariff hikes (on steel and aluminium).
M2 growth of just 5.2%YoY (May'25) is a restraining factor on inflation. However, tariff hikes have been much higher than we expected, with most trading partners failing to negotiate reductions. 
For consistency with 2024 cuts, the FOMC likely will cut rates this month. But the tariff hikes on most trading partners will push core inflation toward 3%, disallowing further cuts. 


US: Subdued Inflation to Oblige a Reluctant Fed to Cut This Month, but No More in '25

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Once driven by domestic infrastructure and shipbuilding, Japan’s steel industry is now navigating aging demand and declining consumption by pivoting to exports and specialty steel.</li>
<li>Japanese steelmakers are embracing high-grade flat steel exports, electric arc furnace (EAF) transitions, and decarbonization-linked innovation — while deepening select offshore bets like AM/NS India and JSW Steel.</li>
<li>JFE offers deep value via JSW exposure; Kobe adds margin stability through EAF and engineering, while Nippon faces capex strain and U.S. Steel integration risk.</li>
</ul>


Once driven by domestic infrastructure and shipbuilding, Japan’s steel industry is now navigating aging demand and declining consumption by pivoting to exports and specialty steel.
Japanese steelmakers are embracing high-grade flat steel exports, electric arc furnace (EAF) transitions, and decarbonization-linked innovation — while deepening select offshore bets like AM/NS India and JSW Steel.
JFE offers deep value via JSW exposure; Kobe adds margin stability through EAF and engineering, while Nippon faces capex strain and U.S. Steel integration risk.


Japan Steel: From Domestic Giant to Export-Driven Value Play

<ul>
<li>JFE Holdings rebounded from COVID-era losses to deliver peak earnings in FY22, followed by a gradual normalization through FY25, with stable steel volumes but declining margins amid weak domestic demand.</li>
<li>The group is investing ¥970B (~$6.5B) through FY2030 across decarbonization, product upgrades (e.g., electrical steel, galvanizing), and overseas downstream expansion to sustain competitiveness.</li>
<li>Adjusting for its ₹910B (~¥1.7T) JSW stake, ~30% of EV, JFE trades at just 2.7x EV/EBITDA—deeply discounted vs peers like Nippon Steel and POSCO.</li>
</ul>


JFE Holdings rebounded from COVID-era losses to deliver peak earnings in FY22, followed by a gradual normalization through FY25, with stable steel volumes but declining margins amid weak domestic demand.
The group is investing ¥970B (~$6.5B) through FY2030 across decarbonization, product upgrades (e.g., electrical steel, galvanizing), and overseas downstream expansion to sustain competitiveness.
Adjusting for its ₹910B (~¥1.7T) JSW stake, ~30% of EV, JFE trades at just 2.7x EV/EBITDA—deeply discounted vs peers like Nippon Steel and POSCO.


JFE Holdings (5411 JP) – Stable Core, Strategic JSW Stake, and Deep-Value Opportunity

<ul>
<li>The U.S. has doubled tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50%, citing national security and domestic industry protection.</li>
<li>The move is expected to raise domestic prices, reduce imports, and increase costs for metal-intensive industries.</li>
<li>Winners include U.S.-based producers like Nucor, United States Steel, Cleveland Cliffs and Century Aluminum; losers are foreign exporters like Aloca, RioTinto, Nippon Steel, Ford, GM etc.</li>
</ul>


The U.S. has doubled tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50%, citing national security and domestic industry protection.
The move is expected to raise domestic prices, reduce imports, and increase costs for metal-intensive industries.
Winners include U.S.-based producers like Nucor, United States Steel, Cleveland Cliffs and Century Aluminum; losers are foreign exporters like Aloca, RioTinto, Nippon Steel, Ford, GM etc.


Tariff Surge 2025: Winners, Losers, and the Real Impact on U.S. Steel and Aluminium

United States

United States Steel Corporation operates as an integrated steel producer. The Company manufactures flat-rolled and tubular products with production operations in North America and Europe. United States Steel serves the automotive, appliance, container, industrial machinery, construction, and oil and gas industries.

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United States Steel (X US)

Nippon Steel (5401) – $14.2B U.S. Steel Bet Targets Growth, Faces U.S. Market Maturity Risks

On July 17, 2025, S&P downgraded Nippon Steel to BBB with a negative outlook, citing debt strain from its $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel....

Rahul Jain

US: Subdued Inflation to Oblige a Reluctant Fed to Cut This Month, but No More in '25

Despite Trump's tariffs, inflation remained low in Apr-May'25, so a July rate cut is likely. But tariffs on most trade partners from Aug'25 (worse...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Japan Steel: From Domestic Giant to Export-Driven Value Play

Japan's steel industry shifts focus to exports and specialty steel amid declining domestic demand, embracing innovation and offshore investments...

Rahul Jain

JFE Holdings (5411 JP) – Stable Core, Strategic JSW Stake, and Deep-Value Opportunity

JFE Holdings sees peak earnings in FY22, plans investments in decarbonization and product upgrades to sustain competitiveness, trading at a...

Rahul Jain

Tariff Surge 2025: Winners, Losers, and the Real Impact on U.S. Steel and Aluminium

The U.S. Midwest aluminum premium spiked by 54% on Monday and 164% YTD to $0.58/lb on June 2, driven by new tariffs and typical early-month...

Rahul Jain

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Nippon Steel (5401) – $14.2B U.S. Steel Bet Targets Growth, Faces U.S. Market Maturity Risks

On July 17, 2025, S&P downgraded Nippon Steel to BBB with a negative outlook, citing debt strain from its $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel....

Rahul Jain

US: Subdued Inflation to Oblige a Reluctant Fed to Cut This Month, but No More in '25

​Despite Trump's tariffs, inflation remained low in Apr-May'25, so a July rate cut is likely. But tariffs on most trade partners from Aug'25 (worse...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Japan Steel: From Domestic Giant to Export-Driven Value Play

​Japan's steel industry shifts focus to exports and specialty steel amid declining domestic demand, embracing innovation and offshore investments...

Rahul Jain

JFE Holdings (5411 JP) – Stable Core, Strategic JSW Stake, and Deep-Value Opportunity

​JFE Holdings sees peak earnings in FY22, plans investments in decarbonization and product upgrades to sustain competitiveness, trading at a...

Rahul Jain

Tariff Surge 2025: Winners, Losers, and the Real Impact on U.S. Steel and Aluminium

The U.S. Midwest aluminum premium spiked by 54% on Monday and 164% YTD to $0.58/lb on June 2, driven by new tariffs and typical early-month...

Rahul Jain

On July 17, 2025, S&P downgraded Nippon Steel to BBB with a negative outlook, citing debt strain from its $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel....

Despite Trump's tariffs, inflation remained low in Apr-May'25, so a July rate cut is likely. But tariffs on most trade partners from Aug'25 (worse...

Japan's steel industry shifts focus to exports and specialty steel amid declining domestic demand, embracing innovation and offshore investments...

JFE Holdings sees peak earnings in FY22, plans investments in decarbonization and product upgrades to sustain competitiveness, trading at a...