Meritz Securities Gives Positive Evaluation on KT&G Chairman Appointment

News by 2FIRSTS.ai

Feb.26.2024

Meritz Securities Gives Positive Evaluation on KT&G Chairman Appointment

Meritz Securities praises KT&G's appointment of Bang Kyung-man as new chairman, anticipating business growth and shareholder rewards under his leadership.

According to a report by the Korean news agency Yonhap on February 26, the securities company Meritz Securities gave a positive evaluation on the appointment of Bang Kyung-man as the new chairman of KT&G. Analysts expect his tenure to bring business growth and strengthened shareholder returns measures.

According to reports, KT&G announced on the 22nd of this month that Bang Kyung-man is expected to succeed as the company's president. Kim Jung-wook from the research department of Meritz Securities analyzed that Bang's extensive industry experience will play a leadership role in the company's mid- to long-term development strategy focusing on e-cigarettes, health functional products, and the global CC core businesses. The KT&G president nomination committee announced on the 22nd that Bang Kyung-man has been selected as the final candidate for the next president and recommended to the board of directors.

The appointment of the next CEO and president will be decided at the annual shareholders meeting scheduled for the end of March. However, activist fund Flashlight Capital Partners (FCP) recently criticized KT&G's president selection process and has written to the National Pension Service urging them to exercise their voting rights in the election. This fund previously prevented the re-election of the CEO of KT Corporation in late 2022 and recently criticized the selection process for the next chairman of POSCO, raising concerns about whether they will exercise their voting rights at the upcoming shareholders meetings of KT&G next month.

References:

[1] 메리츠 " KT&G 방경만 사장 후보 확정으로 주주환원 강화 예상"

Also Read:

[1] KT&G Senior Vice President Bang Kyung-Man Recommended as President

[2] Son Dong-hwan Recommended as Independent Director for KT&G by KDB

[3] KT&G Prepares to Decide New CEO Amid Controversy

#E-cigarettes #Asia #Market #South Korea #Executive appointment

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Product | HQD launches the new HQD GO in the U.S., featuring three power levels and a ~$30 price tag.

HQD has listed the disposable HQD GO on its official site and U.S. channels. The device touts 35,000 puffs, three power levels with adjustable airflow, and a 30 mg/ml nicotine strength. On U.S. retail websites, it’s priced at about $29.99.

Oct.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai

JTI UK Expands Nordic Spirit Line, Launches 17mg Nicotine Pouch

JTI UK has launched Nordic Spirit’s highest-strength variant—Frosty Mint Max, delivering 17mg of nicotine per pouch—and introduced a refreshed, darker packaging design for the brand.

Oct.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai

KT&G Q3 Net Profit Up 73%; Overseas NGP Revenue Nearly Doubles, Nicotine Pouch Expansion Set to Launch Globally

KT&G reported its Q3 2025 financial results, posting revenue of KRW 1.83 trillion (≈USD 1.31 billion) and a 73.4% year-over-year surge in net profit—marking the company’s highest operating profit in five years. The Next Generation Product (NGP) segment performed strongly, generating KRW 279.1 billion (≈USD 199 million) in revenue, with overseas NGP sales more than doubling year-over-year.

Nov.06

FDA’s Makary on CNN: The Triple Challenge in Vape Regulation — New Opioids, Illicit Trade, and Youth Protection

In an interview with CNN’s Chasing Life, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary warned that new health risks — from emerging opioids such as 7-OH to unregulated vaping products — are slipping through regulatory cracks. His remarks reveal the FDA’s growing challenge to balance harm reduction for adult smokers with youth protection and cross-border enforcement.