[Market Focus] Samsung Biologics Surges Over 4% on Strong Earnings Outlook After Joining "4 Trillion Won Club"

Samsung Biologics, which became the first in the industry to join the "4 Trillion Won Club" in annual sales, is showing a strong performance in early trading on January 23, buoyed by expectations that it will continue to deliver robust results this year.

As of 9:47 a.m. on this day, Samsung Biologics shares were trading at 1,059,000 won per share, up 4.44% from the previous session. The stock, which opened higher, at one point surged more than 6%.

The previous day, Samsung Biologics reported its highest-ever consolidated results for the previous year, with sales of 4.5473 trillion won and operating profit of 1.3201 trillion won. These figures represent increases of 23% and 19%, respectively, compared to the previous year. The company became the first in the industry to join the annual sales "4 Trillion Won Club." Furthermore, with stable order intake and business expansion expected this year, Samsung Biologics has provided a sales outlook of 5.5705 trillion won (based on the midpoint of its projected range), signaling another year of strong performance.

The securities industry also expects Samsung Biologics to maintain high growth this year. KB Securities stated that while the company's guidance may appear somewhat aggressive, it aligns with growth expectations, and raised its target price from 1.3 million won to 1.35 million won. The firm also forecasted increases of 21% in sales and 29.3% in operating profit for this year.

Kiwoom Securities projected this year’s sales at 5.7 trillion won, exceeding the company’s own guidance. Mirae Asset Securities maintained its "Buy" rating and a target price of 1.35 million won. Shinyoung Securities noted that contributions from the fourth plant to sales will increase this year and expects an announcement regarding the expansion of the sixth plant in the second half, naming Samsung Biologics as its top pick in the biotech sector and setting a target price of 1.3 million won.