• The operating profit of LG Electronics* declined by 133% YoY in Q4 2022.
• The revenue for Q4 2022 stood at KRW 15.47 trillion, a 1.6% growth YoY.
• The revenue from the vehicle solutions segment grew 44.6% YoY to reach KRW 2.4 trillion.

LG Electronics’* total revenue in Q4 2022 was KRW 15.47 trillion ($11.37 billion), a mere 1.6% YoY growth. This brought the company’s 2022 total revenue to KRW 64.71 trillion ($50.3 billion). Although LG registered a positive YoY revenue growth during Q4 2022, the operating profit declined by 133% YoY, causing losses of KRW 104 billion ($76.6 million). This was primarily due to increased marketing expenditure, increased raw material prices, and currency devaluation compared to the US dollar. The business was also impacted by the extension of geopolitical risks in Europe and interest rate hikes in many nations to reduce inflation. The worsening macroeconomic conditions weakened consumer sentiment, leading to a decline in consumer electronics sales. The vehicle solutions segment stood as a bright spot due to strong demand and order backlog from auto OEMs.

Financial highlights

• The consumer electronics segment’s revenue fell 5.5% YoY to reach KRW 10.88 trillion ($8 billion). Its operating profit decreased by 127% due to rising marketing costs and fixed cost burdens. The contribution of this segment to LG’s Q4 revenue declined to 70.2% from 75.5% in Q4 2021.
• Revenue from the vehicle solutions segment grew 44.6% YoY to reach an all-time high of KRW 2.4 trillion ($1.76 billion). This was primarily due to increased OEM orders and an improved automotive supply chain situation globally. Negative external factors like logistics costs and raw material supply chain are easing. Despite increasing expenses associated with running additional manufacturing subsidiaries, profits improved on increased sales. Vehicle solutions accounted for 15.5% of the total revenue in Q4 2022.
• At the end of 2022, the vehicle solutions segment had a backlog amounting to KRW 80 trillion ($59 billion), underscoring the company’s position as a key supplier to the global auto industry. Infotainment accounted for more than 60% of the backlog value, xEV parts for 20%, and safety and convenience components for the rest.
• Revenue from other businesses grew by 6.7% YoY in Q4 2022 to reach KRW 2.2 trillion ($1.62 billion). But low demand for IT products and global economic headwinds sent the operating profit down by 195% YoY.
• LG Innotek’s revenue grew 14.4% YoY in Q4 2022 to KRW 6.5 trillion ($4.8 billion). The operating profit decreased by 60.5% to KRW 169 billion ($124 million). This brought LG’s consolidated revenue to KRW 21.8 trillion ($16.06 billion).

Market outlook

The anticipation of growing inflation, geopolitical uncertainties, mass layoffs and significant concerns about the economy weakening during the initial months of 2023 is likely to further impact LG’s profit in Q1 2023. LG aims to increase profitability by proactively cutting expenses and optimizing cost structures. LG stated that it would continue to improve the competitiveness of its premium goods like OLED TVs. Despite challenging financial conditions, LG is likely to invest around KRW 22 trillion this year in developing new sectors and broadening its business portfolio.

The vehicle solutions segment has the highest potential to earn high profits in coming quarters owing to a robust strategy to secure long-term product orders and the current order backlogs, despite uncertainties around vehicle demand in 2023. Besides, due to the high demand for infotainment and xEV components, this segment is likely to grow further, leading to a higher share of LG’s revenue.

*LG Innotek’s numbers are not included in the total revenue and have been mentioned separately.