Seoul, July 21, 2008 - LG Electronics (LG),
a leader in consumer electronics and mobile communications, announced
unaudited consolidated earnings results of the three month period ended
June 30, 2008. Amount in Korean Won (KRW) are translated into US
dollars (USD) at the average rate of three month period in each
quarter, which was KRW 1,016 per USD (2008 2Q), KRW 955 per USD (2008
1Q, QoQ), KRW 929 per USD (2007 2Q, YoY).
Sales and Profit
LG
continued replacing its record-high quarterly sales and operating
profit on both global and parent basis, thanks to stable operations
from all business divisions, mainly from robust sales in handsets and
flat panel TVs.
On a global basis, sales jumped 22.1% to KRW
12.735 trillion (USD 12.534 billion) and operating profit recorded KRW
856 billion (USD 843 million), which makes the profit margin at 6.7%.
On a parent basis, second-quarter sales rose 22.5% to KRW 7.234
trillion (USD 7.120 billion). Operating profit booked KRW 635 billion
(USD 625 million) with the profit margin of 8.8%. The company posted
strong net profits of KRW 707 billion (USD 696 million), as equity
method gains from earnings of its subsidiaries in overseas and
investment in LG Display (NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220).
Business performances on a global basis by division are as follows; Mobile
Communications Company posted the company’s another record-high sales
of KRW 3.849 trillion (USD 3.788 billion), 34.3% up from the second
quarter
2007. From handset business, the sales reached KRW 3.754
trillion (USD 3.695 billion), 38.6% up from a year earlier. Operating
profit margin improved to 13.9%, 14.4% in handset division due to
growth in high-end models and improvements in operational efficiency.
Shipment of handsets also recorded the highest in unit sales as well, a
total of 27.7 million mainly from North America (33%) and emerging
markets including Middle East Asia, CIS and Central & South
America, thanks to strong sales of “Secret”, “Viewty”, “Venus” and
other premium phones. Secret is the third model in its Black Label
Series, with highly stylish design and enriched technological features
including the slimmest 5 megapixel camera and innovative materials.
Digital
Appliance Company sales increased 4.9% to KRW 3.781 trillion (USD 3.721
billion) on year and operating margin resulted in 7.2% despite
challenging business environment such as higher raw material prices,
economic slowdown and US market contraction from sub-prime effect.
Digital
Display Company sales jumped 37.2% to KRW 3.742 trillion (USD 3.683
billion) powered by rise in sales of flat TVs; LCD TVs 86%, Plasma TVs
31% from a year earlier. PDP module sales grew 22%. Following
profitability turnaround in the previous quarter, operating profit in
the second quarter successfully remained profitable at KRW 38.0 billion
(USD 37.4 million).
Sales from Digital Media Company reduced
2.1% on year to KRW 1.220 trillion (USD 1.201 billion) due to low
seasonality, but operating profit and margin increased to KRW 13.0
billion (USD 12.8 million) and 1.0% by strong effort for cost
innovation.