Sales and Profit On a global basis, both sales and operating profit soared to the company?s record-high level, thanks to stable operations from all business divisions, mainly from robust sales in handsets and flat panel TVs. Sales jumped 16.9% on year to USD 11.747 billion and operating profit recorded USD 634 million, which makes the profit margin at 5.4%, 5.1% point higher than the previous year.

On a parent basis, first-quarter sales rose 14.8% to USD 7.253 million from USD 6.425 million the year earlier. Operating profit booked USD 591 million with the profit margin of 8.1%, up from USD 184 million and 2.9% margin. Net profit posted strong profits of USD 442 million, successfully recovered from loss of USD 131 million from a year earlier, as equity method. gains from earnings of its subsidiaries in overseas and investment in LG Display.

Business performances on a global basis by division are as follows; Mobile Communications Company posted the company?s record-high sales of USD 3.484 billion, 32.6% up from the first quarter 2007. From handset business, the sales reached USD 3.346 billion, 35.7% up from a year earlier. Shipment of handsets recorded the highest in unit sales as well, a total of 24.4 million, thanks to strong sales of ?Viewty?, ?Voyager?, ?Venus? and other high tier flagship models.

Shipment to emerging markets including Asia, China and Middle East region increased 36% on quarter and WCDMA sales in US, Korea increased 18% on quarter.

Operating profit margin improved to 13.9% in handset division due to growth in premium models and increased productivity led to better profitability. Outlook for a quarter ahead continues bright in mobile handset unit sales.

Various hit products and new line-ups including the third model in ?Black Label? series with design competitiveness and unique UIs, touch-screen and internet accessibility are expected to lead a growth in shipments of 20% higher than this quarter and double digit operating margin.

Digital Appliance Company sales increased 3.6% to USD 3.191 billion on year and operating margin resulted in 4.7%. The company sales in regions such as Korea, Asia, Europe and Middle East lead to the overall increase. Slight decline in profitability was due to higher raw material prices. Entering high season of air conditioners, sales and profitability in coming quarter remains bright.

Digital Display Company sales jumped 32.1% to USD 3.808 billion powered by rise in sales of flat TVs and monitors; LCD TVs 82%, Plasma TVs 18% and monitors 33% from a year earlier. PDP module sales grew 17% on year thanks to the company?s demand in plasma TVs and 32 inch line-ups to the company and other vendors. Operating profit successfully recovered to USD 1 million.

Sales from Digital Media Company reduced 5.2% on year to USD 1.372 billion, but operating profit and margin increased to USD 18 million and 1.3% due to cost innovations in PC business.