KT&G Q4 net up 82 pct on more exports

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- KT&G Corp., South Korea's leading tobacco company,
said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter earnings shot up 82 percent from a year
earlier thanks to increased exports.

Net income reached 245 billion won (US$178 million) in the October-December
period, compared with 135 billion a year ago, KT&G said in a regulatory filing.
Sales added 17.4 percent annually to 724 billion during the same period and
operating profit soared 47.8 percent to 274 billion won.
KT&G also said it is targeting 2.99 trillion won in sales and 1.15 trillion won
in operating profit this year.
The company will pay a cash dividend of 2,800 won per common share, it added.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
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