[Featured Stock] Samyang Foods, Strong Earnings Expected Due to Export Growth... Consecutive Record Highs

Samyang Foods continued its upward trend for the eighth consecutive trading day, hitting a new 52-week high during the session.

As of 9:27 a.m. on the 19th, Samyang Foods was trading at 270,000 KRW, up 1,500 KRW (0.56%) from the previous day. During the session, the price rose to 277,000 KRW, setting a new 52-week high. Samyang Foods has been on a streak of record highs for eight consecutive trading days.

The increase in exports is cited as a key factor driving the stock price rise. According to the Korea Customs Service's export-import trade statistics, ramen export value in the first quarter of this year reached $27.03 million (approximately 376 billion KRW), marking a 30.0% increase compared to the same period last year. Export volume also rose by 21.5% year-on-year to 67,290 tons. Kim Taehyun, a researcher at IBK Investment & Securities, evaluated Samyang Foods by stating, "As the high growth in exports continues, there is valid expectation for additional demand expansion due to product diversification."

According to financial information provider FnGuide, the consensus forecast for Samyang Foods' first-quarter performance this year (average of securities firms' estimates) is 321.2 billion KRW in sales and 39 billion KRW in operating profit. These figures represent increases of 30.78% and 63.18%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Operating profit is expected to exceed the consensus. Researcher Kim said, "On a consolidated basis for the first quarter, sales are estimated at 311.9 billion KRW, up 27% year-on-year, and operating profit is expected to increase by 80.4% to 43 billion KRW. Although sales may slightly miss the consensus due to sluggish domestic sales, operating profit will significantly surpass expectations due to lower input costs and the rise in the KRW-USD exchange rate."