KT&G Q1 Net Profit Rises 46.6% to 378.2 Billion Won on Overseas Cigarette Sales

KT&G Corp. said Thursday its first-quarter net profit rose sharply from a year earlier on strong cigarette sales overseas. 6 percent on-year, according to its regulatory filing.

7 percent from the year-earlier period. 7 trillion won. 6 percent on-year in Q1 2026.

5 percent from the previous year, supported by robust performances of its next-generation products, including heat-not-burn items, and a base effect caused by supply chain disruptions last year. "We expect our overseas cigarettes business to continue its growth momentum, as we see a stable growth trend continue across regions, despite heightened uncertainties from tensions in the Middle East," the company said in a release.

's headquarters in southern Seoul.

KT&G Corp. is South Korea's leading tobacco company. Looking forward, the tobacco maker said it plans to actively pursue the global entry of its next-generation products, leveraging its competitive edge in the cigarette business.

The company is also seeking a global expansion of its nutrition business, its ginseng, potentially with overseas beverage and cosmetics makers. KT&G Corp. 5 percent of its issued shares last month.

9 trillion won. The share cancellation was in line with a recently passed revision to the Commercial Act aimed at improving corporate governance. A new shareholder return policy, focusing on strengthening dividend payments, will be announced in the second half of the year.

Yonhap reported that KT&G Corp.