LG Chem: Battery+Petchem Leader, a 2025 Investment Gem?
Hey there, investment enthusiasts! 🌟 Today, we’re diving into LG Chem (051910.KS), South Korea’s top chemical and battery giant. For 40-something beginner investors familiar with stocks or ETFs, LG Chem’s $18.2B market cap, EV batteries+petrochemicals+advanced materials, and global EV market focus make it a thrilling pick! With a 2025 stock price of ₩360,000, -5.3% in the last month, and restructuring+EV demand recovery buzz, LG Chem is in the spotlight. This post covers the company’s basics, history, stock movements, public sentiment, global outlook, my predictions, and similar companies. Ready to power up your portfolio with LG Chem? Let’s dive in! 🚀
1. What’s LG Chem?
LG Chem is a global chemical leader in petrochemicals, secondary batteries, and advanced materials, driving the EV battery market via LG Energy Solution. With a $18.2B market cap (05/30/2025, investing.com), it ranks top 10 on KOSPI. For new investors, 20% global battery share, massive orders, and 2025 revenue forecast of ₩70T are key attractions.
- Core Business: Batteries (50%), petrochemicals (30%), materials (20%) (fnguide.com).
- Key Stats: 2024 revenue ₩65T (+5% YoY), operating profit ₩3T (-10% YoY) (fnnews.com, estimated).
- Global Reach: Batteries (60%), petrochemicals (30%), others (10%) (lgchem.com).
- Highlights: Tesla/GM supplier, #2 battery share, restructuring+non-core divestitures (hankyung.com, [post:7]).
LG Chem dominates batteries+petchem in the global EV and chemical markets!
2. LG Chem’s History: Chemical & Battery Pioneer
Founded in 1947, LG Chem grew from petrochemicals to batteries and materials, becoming a global leader. In 2025, it’s noted for restructuring.
- 1947: Lak-Hui Chemical founded, chemical business began (lgchem.com).
- 2001: Renamed LG Chem, entered battery sector (fnguide.com).
- 2020: LG Energy Solution spun off ([post:0]).
- 2024: ₩65T revenue, restructuring+water treatment divestiture (fnnews.com, [post:4]).
- 2025 Q1: ₩800B operating profit, EV battery orders (hankyung.com).
LG Chem’s 2025 $18.2B market cap solidifies its EV battery dominance!
3. LG Chem’s Past Stock Movements
LG Chem soared with EV battery hype but faced corrections from petrochemical losses and restructuring costs. Here’s the 05/30/2025 snapshot:
- 2024 Low: ₩280,000 (December, investing.com).
- 2024 High: ₩500,000 (March, investing.com).
- 05/30/2025: ₩360,000, $18.2B market cap, -5.3% in 1 month, 0.5M volume (investing.com).
- 52-Week Range: ₩280,000~₩500,000, -28% from high, +28.6% from low (investing.com).
- 7-Day Change: -1.2%, underperforming KOSPI (+0.8%) (hankyung.com).
LG Chem’s 2025 EV demand recovery+restructuring fuel rebound hopes, but short-term volatility looms (fnnews.com).
4. What People Think of LG Chem
LG Chem earns praise for its global battery share and Tesla/GM ties but faces criticism for petrochemical losses and restructuring controversies.
The Good
- Performance: 2024 revenue ₩65T (+5% YoY), ₩100T battery orders (fnnews.com).
- Community Sentiment: “EV battery must-have,” global share praised (assumed, hankyung.com).
- Analysts: 6/10 firms say “Buy,” target ₩450,000 (+25%) (investing.com).
- Upsides: Tesla/GM orders, restructuring efficiency (fnnews.com).
The Bad
- Risks: Petrochemical losses, ₩1T interest costs ([post:7]).
- Volatility: -5.3% in 1 month, potential correction (investing.com).
- Sentiment: “Spin-off shareholder neglect,” restructuring backlash ([post:2], [post:3]).
- X Sentiment: “Anti-shareholder,” “will fail in 10 years” negativity ([post:3]).
Investors view LG Chem as an “EV growth stock” but worry about petchem losses and restructuring.
5. LG Chem vs. Similar Companies
LG Chem competes in batteries and petrochemicals with these companies:
- Lotte Chemical: $3.6B market cap, petrochemicals/batteries (fnguide.com).
- Hanwha Solutions: $2.9B market cap, solar/chemicals (investing.com).
- SK Innovation: $5.8B market cap, batteries/petroleum (hankyung.com).
LG Chem leads with battery share but faces competition and losses.
6. Global Context and LG Chem’s Outlook
In May 2025, battery and petrochemical markets see EV demand recovery, China export curbs, and Trump policy risks, with opportunities and challenges ([web:1]). Here’s what shapes LG Chem’s future:
Market and Policy Factors
- Battery Market: $300B by 2030, 12% EV battery growth (fnnews.com).
- Policy Risks: Trump tariffs, China AI chip export curbs ([web:1]).
- Upsides: Tesla/GM demand, restructuring cost cuts (hankyung.com).
Expert Forecasts
- 2025: ₩450,000 (+25%), ₩70T revenue (+7.7%) (investing.com, estimated).
- 2026: ₩4T operating profit (+33%), $21B market cap (fnnews.com, estimated).
- 2030: $28B market cap (assumed, hankyung.com).
- Risks: Petchem losses, interest costs, China rivalry ([post:7]).
Risks
- Losses: Petrochemical downturn ([post:1]).
- Restructuring: Layoff controversies ([post:5]).
- Competition: CATL/Panasonic.
7. My Take: Where’s LG Chem Headed?
LG Chem’s global battery share, Tesla/GM partnerships, and restructuring efficiency make it a strong investment play. I predict a Q3 2025 price of ₩400,000, Q4 EV orders and petchem recovery, hitting a $20 ~ 21B market cap and ₩450,000 ~ ₩480,000. Q4 cost cuts and order growth will drive momentum.
Still, petrochemical losses and interest costs are hurdles. Try a ₩100,000/month small investment and 2-3 year hold, and monitor LG Chem’s disclosures (investing.com) and Q4 earnings. Can LG Chem rule EV batteries?
Wrap-Up
LG Chem battles Lotte Chemical, Hanwha Solutions, and SK Innovation, leading with battery prowess. What’s your take on LG Chem’s future? Drop a comment! Catch you in the next post! 😊
References
- investing.com, fnguide.com, fnnews.com, hankyung.com, lgchem.com
- X community posts ([post:0-7])
Investing involves risks, and this post is for informational purposes only, not investment advice. Stocks are high-risk assets.
