The position in posco (PKX, Financial) common was increased slightly at about a 50% discount to book value. Despite excess capacity and pricing pressure in the global steel industry, particularly in China, posco's steel business continues to perform relatively well as evidenced by its 7% operating margin in both 2013 and the first quarter of 2014. The company continues to have a strong financial position, and its recent investments in non-steel businesses should start to contribute more meaningfully over the next couple of years, particularly in energy (more on this later in this letter). posco common accounted for 5.4% of the Fund's net assets at quarter end.
From Third Avenue Management (Trades, Portfolio)'s second quarter 2014 shareholder letter.
