LG has reported
a 32% year on year increase in handset shipments for the fourth quarter ended
30 December.
The
manufacturer shipped 33.9 million handsets in the quarter, up 32% year on year
and up 7% on Q3.
Annual
shipments rose to 117.9 million units in 2009 from 100.7 million in 2008, as
growth in North America, Europe and emerging markets offset a weaker home
market in Korea.
The company’s
mobile communications division posted overall sales down 7.4% from one year
earlier to KRW 4.16tn. Operating profit fell to KRW 67bn from KRW
215bn one year earlier.
It said a
decline in profitability was due to price erosion and an increase in marketing
expenses for year end inventory clearance, as well as emerging market channel
expansion.
Earlier this month, LG said
it is aiming for 20% year on year growth in handset sales in 2010, in a bid to
increase its global market share to 13%.
The manufacturer plans to sell 140 million
handsets in global markets this year, compared with 117 million units in 2009.
This year, LG
will focus on improving profitability in developed markets and expanding its market
share in emerging markets.
It will also strengthen its smartphone range. LG will release 20 new smartphone models this year and is targeting a double digit
market share in the smartphone sector in 2012.