1. What Happened? : Hugel’s Q2 Earnings Breakdown

Hugel reported Q2 2025 revenue of ₩110.2 billion, operating profit of ₩56.6 billion, and net profit of ₩38.2 billion. These figures represent a 6%, 2.2%, and 21.4% miss against market consensus, respectively. The significant drop in net profit is particularly concerning for investors.

2. Why Did This Happen? : Analyzing the Earnings Miss

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the sharp decline in net profit based solely on the preliminary earnings release. Several factors could be at play, including rising costs, increased SG&A expenses, one-time charges, and foreign exchange losses. We await further clarification from management. However, the earnings miss despite positive fundamentals raises concerns.

3. What’s Next? : Outlook and Investment Strategies

Downward pressure on the stock price is expected in the short term. A conservative investment strategy is recommended until uncertainties are resolved. In the medium to long term, investors should assess the reasons behind the earnings miss, the company’s response, global market growth potential, and the success of new pipelines.

  • Short-term Investment Opinion: Sell or Neutral (Conservative Approach)
  • Medium to Long-term Investment Strategy: Monitor further earnings releases and disclosures, legal risks, and new pipeline progress; assess global expansion and growth in the cosmetics sector.

4. What Should Investors Do? : Action Plan

Investors should take the following steps:

  • Carefully review Hugel’s subsequent announcements and IR materials for further insights into the earnings miss and future outlook.
  • Re-evaluate Hugel’s competitiveness through competitor analysis and industry trend research.
  • Adjust investment strategies based on individual investment goals and risk tolerance.