[Click eStock] "KT, Stable Earnings with Shareholder Returns Expected... 'Target Price Maintained'"

NH Investment & Securities evaluated KT on the 23rd, stating that stable earnings and shareholder return policies are expected. They maintained a 'Buy' investment rating and a target price of 49,000 KRW.

Ahn Jae-min, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities, said, "Despite low growth in the telecommunications business, subsidiaries such as KT Estate, KT Cloud, and BC Card are driving earnings, and operating profit this year is expected to reach 1.83 trillion KRW, a 10.8% increase compared to the same period last year." He added, "With the efficiency improvements in low-profit businesses, overall costs are being maintained stably, so the growth trend in operating profit is expected to continue for the time being."

Researcher Ahn also stated, "Since solid operating profit is anticipated, the amount of shareholder returns may also increase," adding, "Although a separate dividend payout ratio of 50% and a minimum dividend per share of 1,960 KRW are guaranteed, there is a possibility of share buybacks and increases in dividends per share depending on additional performance."