KRX:066570

S&P Upgrades LG Electronics to BBB+ on Segment Growth

S&P Global Ratings has upgraded LG Electronics' (KRX:066570) long-term issuer and issue credit ratings to BBB+ from BBB, according to a recent release.The group will lessen its debt and boost its financial base through the growth in home appliances and solid gains from subsidiary LG Display, S&P said.The company will see better profitability over the next one to two years as LG Display transitions toward high-end OLED panels, the rating agency said.The company has a robust lineup among premium products in its home appliance solution division, diversified services within its subscription segment, and rising penetration in its higher-margin business to business (B2B) division, S&P said.LG Display will also further develop through an enhanced product mix, according to S&P.The outlook is stable, stemming from S&P's belief that the company's core business competitiveness will anchor credit strength, yield solid free cash flow, and lessen debt.Notable shifts in the company's debt-to-EBITDA ratio driven by its TV or home appliances businesses or market position across core segments could lead to future rating actions.

NainTech Wins KRW25.4 Billion Display Manufacturing Equipment Contract from LG Electronics

NainTech (KOSDAQ:267320) secured a display manufacturing equipment supply contract from LG Electronics (KRX:066570), according to a Tuesday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract, valued at 25.4 billion won, is valid till Dec. 31, 2027.Shares of NainTech, which develops equipment and machinery for motor vehicles, plant automation, and gauges for inspection and automation machinery, rose more than 2% at market close, while those of LG Electronics added over 3%.

South Korean Shares Rise to Record High on Chip, AI-related Stock Gains; Hanmi Science Shares Jump Over 4%

South Korean stocks climbed to a new high on Monday, buoyed by strong gains in semiconductor firms and AI-related shares. Shares of major market movers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), SK Hynix (KRX:000660), and LG Electronics (KRX:066570) added over 10%, more than 1%, and nearly 30%, respectively, at market close.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 312.23 points, or 3.7%, to end at 8,788.38. The Kosdaq decreased by 24.77 points, or 2.3%, to close at 1,050.03.In economic news, South Korea recorded a trade surplus of $26.9 billion in May, a new all-time high, and marking the third straight month of more than $20 billion in trade surplus, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a Monday release.It came as exports increased 53.2% to $87.8 billion from the year-ago period, the sharpest pace of growth since 1984. Imports rose 20.8% to $60.8 billion.Semiconductor exports surged 169.4% to a record $37.16 billion, while non-semiconductor exports increased by 16%. Rising memory chip prices amid increased capital spending by major U.S. technology companies pushed chip exports higher.In corporate news, Hanmi Science (KRX:008930) signed a technology licensing agreement for Sonefpeglutide (HM15912), a short bowel syndrome drug, with Eli Lilly and Co., according to a Monday filing with the Korea Exchange.The technology licensing agreement is worth up to $1.26 billion, including a $75 million upfront payment and up to $1.185 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, along with royalties based on future sales.Shares of the company rose more than 4% at market close.

South Korean Shares Open at New High on Technology Stock Gains

South Korean stocks opened at a new high on Monday, led by surging technology shares despite uncertainty around the negotiations between the US and Iran.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 0.1%, or 9.52 points, to open at 8,485.67. The Kosdaq decreased 0.2%, or 2.03 points, to open at 1,072.77.Major market movers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and LG Electronics (KRX:066570) gained nearly 7% and over 25% in early morning trade, respectively.Oil prices jumped over 2% on Monday after Israel ordered troops to push deeper into Lebanon, fueling concerns over a broader conflict in the region and potential disturbances to global energy supplies. Brent crude rose 2.1% to $93.05 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 2.5% to $89.53 in early trading.

MediaTek Unit Buys Patents from LG Electronics for NT$1.60 Billion

MediaTek (TPE:2454) unit HFI Innovation has acquired a package of patents from LG Electronics (KRX:066570) for NT$1.60 billion, according to a Friday Taiwan Exchange filing.The acquisition is intended for operational use, the chipmaker said.

LG Electronics Introduces LG ePaper Display, to Launch in South Korea in June

LG Electronics (KRX:066570) introduced an ultra-low-power display on Thursday, called the LG ePaper Display, according to a same-day release.The product is expected to launch in the domestic market in June, following which it will be introduced across the overseas markets, the release said.The paper-like digital signage uses electronic ink technology to considerably lower power consumption while displaying menus, advertisements, and promotional content. The 32-inch display supports quad high definition (QHD) resolution, features enhanced color reproduction via LG's proprietary algorithm, and offers wide viewing angles, it said.Shares of LG Electronics fell 4% at market close.

KOSPI Hits Record High on Hopes of US-Iran Peace Agreement; Samsung Electronics Soars 14%

South Korean shares closed sharply higher on Wednesday, with the primary index shooting up to close at a record high.The rally was led by strong gains in semiconductor stocks and investor optimism for a possible peace agreement between the US and Iran after US President Donald Trump halted the military operation Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi increased 447.57 points, or 6.5%, to end at 7,384.56. The Kosdaq fell by 3.57 points, or 0.3%, to close at 1,210.17.Chipmakers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) added over 14% and nearly 11%, respectively, at market close.The Korea Exchange activated a five-minute buy-side sidecar on the country's primary stock market on Wednesday morning as investors rushed to purchase securities on hopes that the U.S.-Iran conflict may end in the near future.The Korea Exchange announced the order at 9:06 am after the KOSPI200 Futures added 66.05 points, or 6.28%, to trade at 1,116.55.In economic news, South Korea's inflation climbed 2.6% year on year in April, accelerating from a 2.2% rise in March amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, data from the country's Ministry of Data and Statistics showed on Wednesday.The headline print was in accordance with the median estimate of 2.6% in a Bloomberg survey.The increase was driven by higher costs across all categories, with transport gaining the highest at 9.7%.Meanwhile, core inflation, which measures prices of goods excluding food and energy, remained steady at 2.2% in April.In corporate news, Samsung Electronics hit a market valuation of $1 trillion on Wednesday, supported by the strong demand for AI chips, Bloomberg News reported on the same day.The South Korean chipmaker became the second Asian firm after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TPE:2330) to hit the $1 trillion mark.Overseas investors appear to be driving the recent rally in the stock, supported by a deal between Interactive Brokers and Samsung Securities (KRX:016360) that allows U.S. investors to directly buy South Korean stocks.The firm's semiconductor wing had posted a record profit in the first quarter, surpassing expectations by a wide margin on strong AI data center demand, with analysts expecting the momentum to continue in the quarters ahead as contract prices keep moving higher amid a scarce supply.In other news, LG Electronics (KRX:066570) secured the top 1% rating in credit rating agency S&P Global's Corporate Sustainability Assessment for the third straight year, the electronics products maker said in a Wednesday release.The company secured the highest score of 77 points in the Home Appliances & Leisure Goods industry group, which covers leisure equipment and products and consumer electronics.Shares of LG Electronics jumped over 8% at market close.

LG Electronics Secures Top 1% in S&P Global's ESG Rating for Third Straight Year; Shares Jump 8%

LG Electronics (KRX:066570) secured the top 1% rating in credit rating agency S&P Global's Corporate Sustainability Assessment for the third straight year, the electronics products maker said in a Wednesday release.The company secured the highest score of 77 points in the Home Appliances & Leisure Goods industry group, which covers leisure equipment and products and consumer electronics, the release said.Shares of LG Electronics jumped over 8% in recent trade.

Nomura Adjusts LG Electronics' Price Target to KRW160,000 From KRW120,000, Keeps at Buy

LG Electronics Launches StanbyME 2 Max in South Korea

LG Electronics (KRX:066570) launched the StanbyME 2 Max in South Korea, which imposes 4K resolution on a 32-inch display, the electronics products maker said in a Monday release.The new model is about 40% bigger than its predecessor and comes with better picture quality and 11.1.2 channel surround sound. The product is powered by the upgraded α8 AI processor and can incorporate Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, the release said.The StanbyME 2 Max also features AI Super Upscaling for enhanced low-resolution content.Shares of LG Electronics rose nearly 1% in recent trade.

LG Electronics Uses Heat Pumps to Expand Voluntary Carbon Emissions Trading Business; Shares Rise 4%

LG Electronics (KRX:066570) is using high-efficiency heat pumps to expand its voluntary carbon emissions trading business, the electronics products maker said in a Tuesday release.The process will be used to lower carbon emissions during the product usage phase, the release said.Shares of LG Electronics rose over 4% in recent trade.