LG smartphone sales disappoint in latest financial results

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LG released their first quarter financial results today and unsurprisingly, the LG Mobile Communications Company portion of the conglomerate posted disappointing numbers. LG had previously indicated the first quarter would be one of the best ever for the company and that panned out. However, smartphone sales were down causing yet another financial drag on the company as a whole.

In their press release, LG blames a slowdown in shipments of their existing devices on interest in the LG G5 causing consumers to hold off on making purchases. The division had sales of KRW 2.96 trillion ($2.46 billion USD), which was a decline of 15.5 percent compared to the same quarter last year. Similar to sales, the number of smartphone units shipping was down 12 percent to 13.4 million smartphones shipped during the quarter.

LG says they will continue to push hard on selling the LG G5 around the globe to counteract increasing competition. That may be a bigger challenge than they anticipate as the LG G5 may not pack the punch the company had hoped for as our own review of the LG G5 found it to just be a middle of the road device amongst flagships. The company will now turn to their X series of smartphones which will hopefully appeal to a wider range of buyers than their flagship.

You can read LG’s full press release below.

LG ANNOUNCES FIRST-QUARTER 2016 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Premium Focused Strategy Results in Highest Profitability Ever for LG Appliances and TVs

SEOUL, Apr. 28, 2016 — LG Electronics Inc. (LG) today announced first-quarter 2016 operating profit of KRW 505.2 billion (USD 420.25 million), a 65.5 percent increase from the same period in 2015 on sales of KRW 13.36 trillion (USD 11.12 billion).

The LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company contributed the largest amount, KRW 407.8 billion (USD 339.23 million) in operating income for the quarter, while the LG Home Entertainment Company earned KRW 335.2 billion (USD 278.84 million) in operating profit, both up significantly from the first quarter of 2015. The LG Mobile Communications Company posted an operating loss of KRW 202.2 billion (USD 168.20 million) primarily due to increased marketing expenditures for the new LG G5 flagship smartphone, while the LG Vehicle Components Company reported a modest loss of KRW 15.8 billion (USD 13.14 million) reflecting higher R&D investments.

LG’s overall global sales and profitability are expected to improve in the second quarter, with double-digit growth in revenues and higher profitability anticipated as LG continues its premium-focused strategy with LG SIGNATURE products, the LG G5 smartphone and 4K Ultra HD OLED TVs.

LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company recorded sales of KRW 4.22 trillion (USD 3.51 billion) in the first quarter, an increase of 4 percent year-on-year due in large part to higher premium product sales and growth in its B2B operations. Operating profit and operating margin of 9.7 percent were the highest in the history of LG home appliances. Revenues in the Korean domestic market increased 11 percent from the same period the previous year thanks to strong performance of TWIN Wash washing machines, premium refrigerators and commercial air conditioners. Weaker demand caused by the drop in oil prices and unfavorable currency exchange movements negatively affected sales in markets such as the Middle East, South America and CIS, while revenues in North America and Europe remained strong.

LG Mobile Communications Company reported sales of KRW 2.96 trillion (USD 2.46 billion), a decline of 15.5 percent from the first quarter last year. Shipments of 13.5 million smartphones were 12 percent lower both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, mainly as a result of the business entering the slow season as well as declining shipments of existing flagship models due to high interest in the recently announced LG G5. Competition in the smartphone market will continue to increase, leading to further price erosion which LG plans to counter with a strong global push for the modular LG G5 smartphone and new mass-tier models such as its X series.

LG Home Entertainment Company reported revenues of KRW 4.33 trillion (USD 3.6 billion), down 2.3 percent from last year’s first quarter as TV shipments declined somewhat in the key markets of North America and Europe. A solid operating margin of 7.7 percent was accompanied by a 207 percent increase quarter-on-quarter in operating income, demonstrating strong evidence of the growing demand for premium OLED and 4K OLED TV products. Improved cost structure and cost competitiveness is expected to drive improved profitability in the next quarter.

LG Vehicle Components Company sales of KRW 592.9 billion (USD 493.2 million) represent a 55 percent year-on-year increase, on the back of LG’s growing automotive infotainment business, although profitability was negatively affected by increased R&D investments. The outlook for LG’s automotive business is positive, with higher expected demand for electric vehicle components and as LG expands its global reach and secures new customers.

2016 1Q Exchange Rates Explained

LG Electronics’ unaudited quarterly earnings results are based on IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) for the three-month period ending Mar. 31, 2016. Amounts in Korean won (KRW) are translated into U.S. dollars (USD) at the average rate of the three-month period of the corresponding quarter — KRW 1,202 per USD (2016 1Q).


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