TV sales help LG back to profit, but phones still causing pain
"We've turned a corner"
Increasing 3D TV sales have helped LG to boldly claim that it has turned the corner, but a loss of 54 billion Korean Won from its ailing mobile phone arm is evidence that the electronics giant is still battling back from a tricky period.
The Korean giant reported profits of KRW 158 billion, around £89 million, for the quarter, which represents a 21 per cent increase on the last quarter and a 25 per cent increase year on year.
Sales of home entertainment equipment was a key factor for LG, which pointed to higher revenues from LED LCD TVs and its new Cinema 3D TVs.
3D adding a dimension
"The company expects to see sales continue to rise with the anticipated strong consumer acceptance of its film patterned retarder (FPR) Cinema 3D TVs as well as smart TVs," stated LG.
And sales were up 11.6 per cent in the company's struggling mobile phone business – although the positives cannot hide a loss of more than £30 million.
"The company continues to strengthen its global competitiveness by launching a mix of competitive smartphones and its continued investment in R&D," added LG.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
Modest growth
The company is predicting that the next quarter will continue the resurgence, and it is 3D technology that the company has pinpointed as the key factor in its return from an unhappy period.
"LG Electronics expects to see modest growth year-over-year in the third quarter of 2011 with new product launches in major categories and creative marketing activities across its various 3D products, said LG
"For the long-term, the company will continue to strengthen profitability through aggressive cost innovation and strategic investments in existing as well as new business areas."
Patrick Goss is the ex-Editor in Chief of TechRadar. Patrick was a passionate and experienced journalist, and he has been lucky enough to work on some of the finest online properties on the planet, building audiences everywhere and establishing himself at the forefront of digital content. After a long stint as the boss at TechRadar, Patrick has now moved on to a role with Apple, where he is the Managing Editor for the App Store in the UK.