[THE INVESTOR] LG Electronics’ third-quarter earnings were dragged down by the continuing underperformance of its smartphone division, said NH Investment and Securities as it knocked down the target price to 68,000 won (US$59.35) from 80,000 won on Oct. 28.Its operating profit fell 4 percent to 283.2 billion won and sales were down 6 percent to 13.2 trillion won. The figures will further shrink in the fourth quarter, said analyst Go Jeong-u, predicting that “its smartphones will keep posting los

[THE INVESTOR] Green Cross failed to meet market expectations with 34.6 billion won (US$30.20 million) operating profit and 327.6 billion won revenue in the third quarter, said Korea Investment and Securities on Oct. 28, lowering its target price to 206,000 won from 232,000 won.Its revenue was boosted by the introduction of new products but sales from flu vaccine, which has higher margin, was deferred and research and development cost increased by over 40 percent to 110 billion won, bringing dow

[THE INVESTOR] Samsung SDS will be put in an unfavorable position after its spin-off in terms of corporate governance, according to Shinhan Investment on Oct. 28. The securities firm maintained its “neutral” position on investment.“The spin-off will take place in first half of 2017, and the logistics division will probably be merged into Samsung C&T in which major shareholders have relatively higher stakes,” said analyst Gong Yeong-gyu. “If the IT service division succeeds in merging with Samsun

[THE INVESTOR] Maeil Dairies has shelved its plans to bid for McDonald’s Korea in a consortium with Carlyle Group, according to news reports on Oct. 27. It was the last remaining bidder after all potential candidates, including CJ and NHN Entertainment, dropped out of the race to acquire the fast-food chain’s operations here that has over 400 outlets, and was estimated to be worth 500 million won (US$439.44 million). Mail Diaries had teamed up with the US private equity fund manager that is eyei

[THE INVESTOR] LG International's third-quarter operating profit was disappointing at 21.6 billion won (US$18.96 million), falling way short of market consensus, securities firms said on Oct. 27.NH Investment and Securities lowered the target price to 31,000 won from 48,000 won and changed its recommendation to "hold."The firm’s operating profit dropped 28 percent as its resources business reflected costs of mine waste processing while the logistics division aggressively sought to increase volum

[THE INVESTOR] GS Engineering and Construction is lagging in recovery, said Shinhan Investment on Oct. 27, lowering the target price to 38,000 won (US$33.36) from 39,000 won. Its operating profit soared 252.7 percent to 38.4 billion won on-year but this is lower than market expectations (57.8 billion won), said analyst Park Sang-yeon. “A total of seven low price constructions will continue into the fourth quarter,” dragging down the speed of recovery, but in 2017 the figures will improve signifi