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Capital Group Takes 5.61% Stake in KT&G, Joining Major Foreign Shareholders

May.08
Capital Group Takes 5.61% Stake in KT&G, Joining Major Foreign Shareholders
KT&G disclosed in a regulatory filing on Friday that Capital Research and Management Company, the investment management arm of Capital Group, had acquired a 5.61% stake through purchases made on April 22 and May 4. The move places Capital Group among KT&G’s prominent foreign shareholders, alongside BlackRock, First Eagle Investment Management and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC.

Key Takeaways

  • Capital Research and Management Company, part of Capital Group, acquired a 5.61% stake in KT&G.
  • The stake was acquired through purchases made on April 22 and May 4.
  • Foreign investors now hold 45.5% of KT&G’s outstanding shares.
  • KT&G shares reached a record high of KRW 183,500, or $125, and closed above KRW 180,000 for the first time.

2Firsts, May 8，2026 

 

According to the report, Capital Group, one of the world’s largest asset managers, has acquired a stake of more than 5% in South Korean tobacco company KT&G, adding its name to the company’s list of heavyweight foreign shareholders.

 

Capital Group’s stake reached 5.61%

 

In a regulatory filing on Friday, KT&G disclosed that Capital Research and Management Company, the investment management arm of Capital Group, had acquired a 5.61% stake through purchases made on April 22 and May 4.

 

Foreign shareholder base expanded

 

The move places Capital Group among KT&G’s prominent foreign shareholders. 

 

The report said other major foreign shareholders include BlackRock, First Eagle Investment Management and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC.

 

KT&G shares hit a record high

 

As foreign buying of Korean equities continued, KT&G shares rose to a record high of KRW 183,500, or $125, on the day and closed above KRW 180,000 for the first time. 

 

The report said foreign investors now hold 45.5% of KT&G’s outstanding shares.

 

Q1 revenue and operating profit increased

 

The foreign investor interest comes as KT&G posts stronger earnings on the back of overseas cigarette sales. First-quarter revenue rose 14.3% from a year earlier to KRW 1.7 trillion, or about $1.16 billion based on KRW 183,500 equaling $125. 
 

Operating profit climbed 27.7% to KRW 364.5 billion, or about $248.3 million.

 

Company cited international business as growth engine

 

KT&G pointed to its expanding international business as the engine of growth and reaffirmed its commitment to shareholder returns, including higher dividends.

 

An analyst at NH Investment & Securities said KT&G is expected to continue delivering industry-leading shareholder returns through additional share buybacks and cancellations in the second half, while overseas cigarette sales remain robust.

 

Image source: Korea Herald

 

References:
[1] Capital Group buys into KT&G with 5% stake
Also Read:
[1] KT&G Q4 and Full-Year 2025 Results: Global CC Strongest, NGP Penetration Expands
[2] BlackRock Enters Top Shareholder Ranks as KT&G Holding Reaches 5.01%

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