April 20, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] KT&G, Korea’s major tobacco company, said on Feb. 26 its January net income rose 31 percent from a year ago amid fluctuations in the won-dollar exchange rate.

Net profit came to 58.8 billion won (US$55 million) last month, compared with 44.9 billion won posted a year earlier, the company said in a regulatory filing.

Operating income dropped 37.1 percent to 70.1 billion won, and sales declined 29.3 percent to 167.7 billion won over the cited period, it said.

“Overall sales declined due to weak performance in the domestic market and some delays in price negotiations with foreign buyers in the wake of a strong local currency,” a company official said, adding its overseas sales are expected to return to the normal level once they complete the talks.

Shares of KT&G closed at 100,500 won, down 2.9 percent from the previous session’s close, with the broader KOSPI index edging up 0.25 percent.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)