April 20, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electronics’ earnings will continue to improve and its operating profit will reach 9.3 trillion won (US$8.14 billion) in the first quarter, up 40 percent on-year, forecast KB Investment and Securities on Feb. 22. 

Although the first-quarter operating profit was estimated to dip slightly on-year being the low season, the strong prices of semiconductors and display products are maintained longer than expected, and will beat the market expectation, said analyst Kim Dong-won. 

Semiconductors will firmly propel the tech giant with 5.5 trillion won operating profit followed by IT mobile, display and consumer electronics, according to the analyst, who also adjusted the annual revenue and operating profit for this year up to 222 trillion won and 42 trillion won, respectively. 

Semiconductor and display divisions will contribute up to 71 percent to the operating profit, up from last year’s 53 percent, explained Kim. There are worries from the recent political issues but its market dominance in the two areas is strengthening and its earnings will increase accordingly, said the analyst, adding that the shareholder-friendly policies including dividends and treasury stock repurchase will work positively on the stock price.

By Hwang You-mee (glamazon@heraldcorp.com)