LG announces surprise profit on appliance sales, but smartphone slump continues

Operating profit jumped 66 percent to 505 billion won ($443 million) even as sales declined 5 percent to 13.4 trillion won ($11.8 billion).

The big jump shows that LG’s efforts to burnish its reputation as a premium home appliance maker are paying off.

LG’s high-end refrigerators, washing machines and other home appliances contributed most to its bottom line while premium TVs made of advanced displays called OLED also improved its margin.

Mobile business however lost money due to marketing expenses to promote the new G5 smartphone. The launch of the G5 smartphone weighed on sales of the older flagship phones, it said. The G5 received huge attention with its modular design. The bottom of the phone pops out to let users swap in new hardware such as a camera grip with physical shutter buttons.

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LG forecast improved sales and profitability for the second quarter as it continues to focus on its premium home appliance brand, called LG Signature, and expand global sales of the G5 smartphone.