Hi Investment & Securities Maintains Buy on KT&G, Raises Target Price

Nov.30.2022

Hi Investment & Securities maintains a "buy" rating for KT&G, raising its target price to 120,000 Korean won.

On November 30th, the South Korean market analysis firm Hi Investment & Securities provided an assessment of the business structure of the tobacco and e-cigarette giant KT&G. According to Hi Investment & Securities, KT&G's acquisition strategy is effective when considering factors such as response speed, stability, and shareholder return policies. In light of this, Hi Investment & Securities maintains a "buy" investment recommendation for KT&G and has raised the target price from 110,000 South Korean won (approximately 597 Chinese yuan) to 120,000 South Korean won (approximately 651 Chinese yuan).

On that day, Lee Kyung-shin, a researcher at Hi Investment & Securities, stated that KT&G's sales and operating profit growth rate is expected to decline by 1.2% and 2.5% this year. It is projected that in the first half of next year, the growth rate of sales and operating profit will increase by 1.5% and 5.5% compared to the previous year.

KT&G is expected to continue increasing its market share in the tobacco market in South Korea next year. According to Lee Kyung-sin, the company's market share in South Korea is projected to reach 65.6% in the coming year. Considering the high growth trend of cigarette-shaped e-cigarettes, KT&G's dominance is expected to expand. Additionally, the introduction of new products in the fourth quarter is expected to further boost their leading position in the market.

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