Samsung, LG see growth, but know rivals are catching

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Expectations priced in

Samsung is targeting a higher operating profit and double-digit growth in sales in 2010, fuelled by strong demand for its flat screens and memory chips.

The forecast was in line with market estimates. Samsung is expected to report a 14% rise in 2010 sales to 155.4 trillion won on a consolidated basis, and a 42% jump in operating profit to 15.5 trillion won this year, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

The Samsung Group accounts for a fifth of South Korea's annual exports.

A firmer won is a risk for South Korean exporters. The currency has risen 3% against the dollar this year after gaining 8% to the dollar and 11% to the Japanese yen in 2009.

Analysts say the two Korean firms face key challenges in a potential LCD sector slowdown in the second half and relatively weak smartphone offerings.

On Friday, nearly 500 firms held their AGMs in and around Seoul, a practice that began decades ago as an attempt to block activist shareholders from gatecrashing many meetings.

In the past, some shareholders have used AGMs to demand higher dividends and changes in corporate structures.

Samsung's meeting, complete with orchestral music and heavy security at the firm's new offices, went off smoothly, with a number of shareholders praising management.

"Samsung achieved great results and improved its brand image when the economy is in bad shape, and it warmed the hearts of many shareholders," shareholder Choi Kyung-ja read from a prepared statement, asking investors to approve a proposal to increase executive pay.