Is LG Electronics Facing a 46.6% Drop in Q2 Operating Profit?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- LG Electronics faces a 46.6% drop in Q2 operating profit.
- Revenue fell 4.4% year-on-year.
- Challenges stem from rising logistics and tariff costs.
- B2B operations showed strong growth despite market pressures.
- Strategic partnerships are key to LG's future resilience.
Seoul, July 7 (NationPress) LG Electronics, a prominent home appliance producer based in South Korea, announced on Monday that its operating profit for the second quarter is projected to have declined by over 46 percent compared to the same period last year, largely due to escalating logistics and tariff costs.
The estimated operating profit for the quarter ending in June stands at approximately 639.1 billion won (US$467.2 million), representing a 46.6 percent decrease from the previous year, according to a regulatory filing from the company.
Additionally, the company reported a 4.4 percent year-on-year revenue drop, totaling 20.74 trillion won. Data on net profit has not been disclosed.
LG's operating profit fell 15.2 percent below the average market estimate, as reported by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data service of Yonhap News Agency.
The final earnings report will be made available soon.
LG Electronics attributed its profit downturn to ongoing challenging business conditions, particularly influenced by shifts in US trade policy.
The company highlighted increased tariff expenses, particularly on steel and aluminum, alongside rising logistics costs and intensified market competition as significant contributors to the profit decline.
Despite these hurdles, LG's business-to-business (B2B) sectors, which include electric vehicle (EV) components, subscription services, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, showed promising growth during the quarter.
Going forward, LG Electronics intends to prioritize the expansion of its B2B and subscription-driven segments to fortify its long-term business framework.
In a notable move, LG Electronics is collaborating with Saudi Arabia's Shaker Group to develop specialized HVAC systems designed for extreme climates. This partnership will involve universities from both nations to test AI-powered energy efficiency solutions. This initiative follows LG's recent acquisition of a Norwegian hot water company aimed at bolstering its European HVAC presence. The goal is to create climate-specific research and development infrastructure for global markets.
"This collaboration presents an excellent opportunity to enhance our capabilities in HVAC solutions specifically tailored for extremely hot regions," stated an LG Electronics representative.