Operator
Operator
LG Display Co., Ltd. (LPL)
Q3 2020 Earnings Call· Sat, Oct 24, 2020
$4.23
+1.20%
Operator
Operator
Kim Heeyeon
Management
[Foreign Language] Good afternoon. This is Kim Heeyeon in-charge of LG Display’s IR. On behalf of the Company, let me thank all the participants at this conference call. [Foreign Language] Today, I am joined by the CFO, DH Suh; Seung Min Lim, in-charge of Corporate Business Management; Matthew Kim of TV Marketing; JY Kwon of IT Marketing and Seonggon of Auto Marketing. [Foreign Language] This conference call will be conducted for one hour in both Korean and English, starting with the presentation on the financial results of Q3, 2020 and the Company's outlook, followed by Q&A. [Foreign Language] Please refer to the IR presentation document in the Company's website for more details on the financial results of Q3, 2020. For those joining through the webcast, please refer to the details on the widget on your screen. [Foreign Language] Before we begin the presentation, please take a moment to read the disclaimer. [Foreign Language] Please note that today's results are based on consolidated K-IFRS Standards prepared for your benefit, and have not yet been audited by an outside auditor. [Foreign Language] With that said, we will now start with the presentation on Q3, 2020 earnings results. [Foreign Language] Let me start off with our business performance in Q3. [Foreign Language] Revenue in Q3 was 6.7 trillion won, up 27% quarter-on-quarter. There was increase in IT product shipment following the trend of work from home and online schooling due to COVID-19. Supply of new P-OLED products bean for strategic customers and there was robust global demand for TV. [Foreign Language] Operating loss was 164.3 billion won. Turning around to profit after seven quarters -- I'm sorry operating profit was 164.3 billion won turning around to profit after seven quarters. [Foreign Language] Operating margin was 2%, EBITDA margin 19% and net income was…
DH Suh
Management
[Foreign Language] Good morning this is DH Suh. [indiscernible]. [Foreign Language] COVID-19 is lasting longer than expected. First and foremost, I wish health and safety for all our shareholders, investors and analysts. [Foreign Language] Allow me to add more details on the company's Q3 performance. As work from home and online schooling are becoming a new lifestyle due to COVID-19. The company's IT business has shown robust performance, thanks to its preemptive response to the changes. [Foreign Language] The company was able to turn around to profit for the first time in seven quarters. Thanks to stable supply of P-OLED panel to strategic customers and start of volume production in the Guangzhou new OLED fab. [Foreign Language] Area shipment in Q3 was up 23% Q-o-Q. Shipment of IT products continues to grow and shipment of large size panel also jumped amidst robust global demand and sales of TV. [Foreign Language] In addition, supply of new mobile products to strategic customers increased and the rising LCD panel price pulled up ASP by 8% bringing the total revenue up by 27% Q-o-Q. [Foreign Language] There was even improvement in the financial performance across the businesses. [Foreign Language] By product segment, IT is maintaining consistent profit structure, thanks to unique competitiveness while mobile P-OLED achieved meaningful improvement in profitability. Thanks to better quality and yield and growth in new products for strategic customers. [Foreign Language] TV also contributed to profitability improvement with the start of mass production in the Guangzhou OLED fab and flexible operation of LCD fab according to supply demand status. [Foreign Language] Next is Q4, 2020 outlook and the company’s direction. [Foreign Language] There continued to be both opportunities and volatility, non face-to-face culture and home entertainment have fast become the new norm, while uncertainties in the external environment persist.…
Kim Heeyeon
Management
[Foreign Language] This brings us to the end of earnings presentation for Q3, 2020. We will now take questions. Operator, please commence with the Q&A session.
Operator
Operator
[Foreign Language] The first question will be presented by Dongwon Kim from KB Securities. Please go ahead with your question.
Dongwon Kim
Analyst
[Foreign Language] I have two questions. First is about the LCD, and the second followed by the P-OLED question. So now first, the LCD market recently has been showing quite a good pickup. So does this mean that there would be any changes to the company's strategy to reduce the portion of the LCD business as well as the structural innovation? And if you could also give us some specific details regarding the Paju lines for example, the P7 and P8 and also including your IT panel business? And the second question is about the P-OLED. So, can you give us an update on the orders in the fourth quarter coming from your North American customer and also what do you -- what is your outlook for the P-OLED demand for next year?
DH Suh
Management
[Foreign Language] Now this is the CFO speaking and I would take the first question and I understand that your question is about where there are -- whether there are any changes regarding our strategy for structural innovation in LCD and also the current update on the progress. [Foreign Language] Now on one hand, because of the COVID-19 impact, and also when it comes to the changes in the supply demand dynamics in the market and also on the impact of ASP, it is true that there has been some let’s say hope on improving the company's profitability. Now having said that, let me emphasize that the company's strategy for structural innovation in the LCD business remains unchanged. [Foreign Language] Now the structural innovation is about strengthening the already competitive areas of the company, especially for the LCD. And then also to speedily rationalize the structurally less competitive fabs or products. [Foreign Language] So first of all, as was mentioned in the last quarter, now out of the LCD business where we already have competitiveness so the IT products. Now in IT products, we will continue to strengthen this, because we believe that when it comes to the customer base or the technology base, and also the competitiveness of the products themselves, the IT business for the company has unique competitiveness compared to others. So this is where we will continue to strengthen competitiveness. [Foreign Language] So it is under such principle and direction that the LCD fab in China will continue to strengthen competitiveness. Now on the other hand, the LCD fab in Korea, it is true that we have already made some adjustments. So, for example, part of the facilities have been converted for IT. So, this is applicable to P8 as you have asked about and then…
Operator
Operator
[Foreign Language] The next question will be presented by Jung Woo Ko from NH Investment & Securities. Please go ahead with your question.
Jung Woo Ko
Analyst
[Foreign Language] I have two questions regarding the OLED business. First is about the W-OLED. Now it seems as if there is a quite healthy demand for the 48 inch OLED TV recently. So I'm wondering whether the changes in the demand for the 48 inch OLED TV have brought about any changes in the company's investment targets for the W-OLED? And also, your shipment guidance this year was for 4 million. But then I wonder whether there have been any changes since then? And also perhaps it is a bit early -- too early to tell. But then, can you also give us some further guidance about the W-OLED business for next year aside from the guidance that you have already given? So for example, what would be your guidance for the shipment outlook of the W-OLED next year? And the second question is about the -- your P-OLED business. So it seems as if your business with Huawei in China would be bit suffering more recently. So then based on that, what would be your outlook for P-OLED that business down the road?
DH Suh
Management
[Foreign Language] I will first respond to your question about the White OLED. [Foreign Language] Now first of all, yes, the -- I believe that your question was about whether there have been any changes to our shipment guidance, which was around 4 million this year. And also whether the demand for the 48 inch W-OLED TV have brought about any changes to the company strategy. Now, first of all, the number that we have given in the pre-COVID timing was about 6 million for this year. But then because of the COVID-19 situation lasting throughout the first half. Now, things have changed. And of course, the situation is slightly different even today. But then, immediately after the COVID-19 situation the demand for high-end TV has slowed down considerably. And that is why we have adjusted the guidance to around 4.2 million, 4.5 million this year. [Foreign Language] And then regarding the impact of the increasing demand for 48 inch, now it appears that it is mostly for gaming purposes. Now and yes, there has been increasing the demand for 48 inch, but then unfortunately, the Guangzhou fab it's mostly for a 77 inch in MMG. So this means that there is limitation production capacity for the 48 inch and because of that, we are not able to rapidly ramp up the production. [Foreign Language] So, we are currently trying to make improvement in order to improve the currently limited production capacity. So, for example, we are currently developing the technology to develop -- to produce the 48 inch in the Paju lines. So, following such development we do believe that we will be able to produce more 48 inch next year. [Foreign Language] And then now to your question or the second question about the strategic customer in China. [Foreign Language] So as you would also know, there is a big question mark about when we can resume our business because it's not only about the company gaining the license for the export, but then also for the other companies in the supply chain gaining expert so I believe that most of the semiconductor companies would have to gain the license in order to resume the business. [Foreign Language] Now of course, strategically speaking, it's very important client for the company, but then when it comes to the volume itself, then we were not at the stage of providing mass volume. So when it comes to the impact on the business itself, then I would say that it is more than manageable. But of course having said that, if the business were to resume then we would be ready to move in very quickly, so we are continuing to make preparation.
Operator
Operator
[Foreign Language] The next question will be presented by Han-Su Kim from Hana Financial Investments. Please go ahead with your question.
Han-Su Kim
Analyst
[Foreign Language] They all IT. Now first, regarding the TV market. Now the competitors recently appeared to be highly interested in the mini LED. So I wonder what the company's view is regarding mini LED and also what is your response strategy to this? And then the second question is about the IT? Now COVID-19 has actually driven up demand for IT products and as a result of this many your peers are also strengthening marketing for IT for example, converting some of their facilities for TV for IT. So then as a result of this, do you see any changes in the competitive landscape? And what is the company's view on the market going forward?
DH Suh
Management
[Foreign Language] Now then, this is the CFO and I will be responding to the first question and then the second question and IT will be taken by Mr. Kwon of the IT marketing business. [Foreign Language] Now, the first about the mini LED and the company’s -- so, your question is about the company's view on the mini LED. And now yes, we do see that the -- there have been some moves by the competitors recently regarding the mini LED, but then when it comes to the set market, then we see that the some of the Chinese companies have launched mini LED backlight TV sets. But then we see that the -- what we have seen so far is that the market -- the impact on the market has been minimum. [Foreign Language] So based on our understanding so far when it comes to the device structure, then basically this is an LCD that is backlight by mini LED. But of course depending on the efforts of the set solution companies there would be some improvement over the LCD. [Foreign Language] Now, if I may explain the background to this, during the COVID-19 era, many people in the home have been increasingly watching more TV or utilizing the monitor to do online schooling or so basically, we see that there has been an increase in the time spent on utilizing or viewing the display. So we have done some survey on the users to identify their pain points in using the display. [Foreign Language] And in analyzing the customers pain points, we were once again affirmed that the solution that would be -- that would resolve many of the biggest challenges that the customers are experiencing would be OLED. [Foreign Language] So there were many pain points…
JY Kwon
Analyst
[Foreign Language] And now regarding your question about the IT business strategy and also the competitive landscape. [Foreign Language] Now first of all about the IT business environment, the COVID triggered upside demand. Of course, this is a highly subject to the developments in the COVID-19 situation as well as the real economy. But we do believe that the upside demand so, the demand overall will remain high into the first half of next year. [Foreign Language] And regarding the competitive landscape, yes, it is true that some suppliers are trying to increase their production volume to respond to the IT demand. So, that is one factor that that does not bode well for the company. But then on the other hand, there is also a positive factor for the company and that is the decrease in the number of suppliers. For example, there was an LCD exit by a domestic player and also the Chinese LCD makers are said to be going through restructuring. [Foreign Language] But now also when it comes to the IT business environment and the changes the company has two advantages that you can rely on. And one is the technological advantage that we have, for example, IPS [oxides], nano bezel and high resolution. So these are the technological edges of the company that allow us to keep leading the high-end market. [Foreign Language] And the second advantage is the fact that among the customers feedback, the most important is the technology. So because the company has technological advantage over the peers this has allowed us to build a long-term partnership with strategic customers, which has ensured consistent business.
Kim Heeyeon
Management
[Foreign Language] We will take one last question.
Operator
Operator
[Foreign Language] The last question will be presented by Nicolas Gaudois from UBS. Please go ahead with your question.
Nicolas Gaudois
Analyst
Good afternoon. Thanks for taking my question. The first one is regarding your Gen-7 LCD capacity remaining in Korea, which we believe is around 80,000 to 90,000 sheets per month and is currently used for -- its currently use for TV panels. It seems like that will continue to operate into year-end partly because of the upside in the market currently. Could you update us on your plans regarding this capacity going into 2021, since you know initially you intended to actually close it down? And second question relates to CapEx, you explained you are [distinct] down the CapEx issue in line with the EBITDA, next year your EBITDA is very likely to go up. Should we expect an increase in CapEx from the levels indicated for 2020 or do you actually intend to start lowering your debt next year by keeping CapEx as low as possible? Thank you. [Foreign Language]
DH Suh
Management
[Foreign Language] Now regarding your first question about the Gen-7 capacity in Paju. Yes, currently it is maintained at between 80,000 to 90,000 per month. And of course we are taking all the factors of the market into consideration when we make decisions but then the way we see it now is that it is a fact that it's well suited for ultra large commercial products. And so we believe that it is a fact that is quite competitive for that product category. [Foreign Language] And as I have explained earlier, the much of the LCD TV capacity has been converted to IT and then what remains in P7, P8. So especially for P7, it is currently being run mostly for commercial products. And then for the remaining capacity as was explained earlier, we will be running them within the given human resources. And of course, we also have to take into account the market situation as well as the customer's needs. So our position now is to make sure that it can be and it will be flexibly run in response to the customer's needs and the market situation. [Foreign Language] And then regarding your question about the CapEx for next year. Yes, for this year, our plan is to keep CapEx within EBITDA. And then for next year, the plan is similar and meaning that the CapEx would be kept within the EBITDA. Now, of course, we want to be fully ready for the future. So what we intend to do is make investment where necessary as we continue to improve financial ratios. So once we are ready with the final plans, then we will be communicating them to you, but basically the plan for next year is to keep CapEx within EBITDA.
Operator
Operator
[Foreign Language] So that concludes the Q3, 2020 earnings conference call. Thank you once again for joining us today. Please do contact us at the IR Team for any additional questions. Thank you.