South Korea Stocks: Kumho, LG Display, LG Electronics, Lotte

By Saeromi Shin

Sept. 11 (Bloomberg) -- South Korea's Kospi index was little changed at 1,465.09 as of 9:36 a.m. in Seoul.

The following are among the most-active stocks in South Korean markets.

Kumho Asiana Group units: Kumho Industrial Co. (002990 KS) added 1,800 won, or 11 percent, to 18,900. Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co. (011780 KS) gained 2,350 won, or 7.5 percent, to 33,800. The group may sell Kumho Life Insurance Co. to generate cash, Yonhap News reported, citing industry officials it didn't identify.

LG Display Co. (034220 KS) rose 600 won, or 2.1 percent, to 29,000. The world's second-largest maker of liquid-crystal displays cut its third-quarter forecast for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to ``mid-20s'' percentage of sales from about 30 percent.

The demand prospect is still ``uncertain,'' but manufacturers' plans to cut production will have a positive impact on inventory adjustments and stabilize supply and demand, Prudential Investment & Securities Co. said, in a report.

LG Electronics Inc. (066570 KS), South Korea's second- largest electronics maker, climbed 700 won, or 0.7 percent, to 98,500.

The company said it may acquire an overseas solar cell maker to expand into the solar energy.

Lotte Samkang Co. (002270 KS), a food manufacturer, added 5,000 won, or 2.9 percent, to 176,500. The company may post a positive ``earnings surprise'' on increases in ice-cream prices, Daishin Securities Co. said in a note. Third-quarter operating profit, or sales minus the cost of goods sold and administrative expenses, may rise 26 percent from a year ago to 16.5 billion won, the brokerage said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Saeromi Shin in Seoul at sshin15@bloomberg.net.