- KT Corp (KT) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Revenue Challenges and Strategic Shifts
May 13, 2026
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Operating Revenue: Decreased by 1.0% YoY to KRW 6,778.4 billion. Operating Income: Declined by 29.9% to KRW 482.7 billion. Net Income: Contracted by 31.5% YoY to KRW 388.3 billion. EBITDA: Decreased by 13.1% to KRW 1,440 billion. Operating Expense: Increased by 2.3% YoY to KRW 6,295.7 billion. Debt-to-Equity Ratio: Stood at 117.6% as of 2026 Q1. Net Debt-to-Equity Ratio: Decreased by 3.9 percentage points YoY to 39.9%. Total CapEx: KRW 363.7 billion, with KRW 304.2 billion on a stand-alone basis. Wireless Service Revenue: Increased by 0.4% YoY to KRW 1,683 billion. Broadband Revenue: Rose by 1.8% to KRW 640.2 billion. Media Business Growth: Increased by 1.3% due to IPTV subscribers and premium plans. B2B Revenue: Decreased by 2.2% YoY. KT Cloud Revenue: KRW 250.1 billion, similar to last year. KT Estate Revenue: Jumped by 72.9% YoY to KRW 237.4 billion. Content Subsidiaries Growth: Increased by 1.9% YoY.
Warning! GuruFocus has detected 2 Warning Signs with KT. Is KT fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator.
Release Date: May 12, 2026
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
KT Corp (NYSE:KT) has reorganized its growth strategy to focus on becoming an AX platform company, aiming to lead AI innovation in Korea. The company has introduced a new midterm shareholder return policy, maintaining a 50% payout of stand-alone adjusted net income, with a minimum annual dividend per share of KRW 2,400. KT Corp (NYSE:KT) is observing a net increase in subscribers since February, following a temporary decline due to an early termination penalty waiver program. The company is enhancing its customer experience by leveraging AI for hyper-personalized services and launching a Customer Protection 365 Task Force. KT Corp (NYSE:KT) is expanding its AX business by developing sector-specific AX models and strengthening its data for AI business to support long-term growth.
Negative Points
KT Corp (NYSE:KT) reported a 1.0% year-over-year decrease in operating revenue for Q1 2026, amounting to KRW 6,778.4 billion. Operating income declined by 29.9% year-over-year to KRW 482.7 billion, impacted by last year's property sales and increased sales and labor costs. Net income contracted by 31.5% year-over-year to KRW 388.3 billion due to the decline in operating income. EBITDA decreased by 13.1% to KRW 1,440 billion, reflecting the challenges in managing operating expenses. B2B revenue decreased by 2.2% year-over-year, attributed to the completion of a large-scale data center project and streamlining of low-margin businesses.
Story Continues
Q & A Highlights
Q: Can you provide insights into the strategic direction of the new CEO and the company's communication plans with the market? A: The new CEO aims to position KT as an AX platform company, focusing on AX innovation leveraging KT's strengths. The strategy involves strong fundamentals and solid growth, creating a virtuous cycle between the two. The CEO emphasizes regaining customer trust and enhancing information security, network, and IT infrastructure. Communication plans with the market are being reviewed, and details will be shared once confirmed. (Hye-Byung Min, CFO)
Q: What is KT's outlook for operating income in 2026, given the underperformance in Q1? A: Despite a decline in Q1 due to reduced subscriber base and increased costs, KT plans to manage operating expenses strictly, focusing on sales costs. The aim is to achieve similar results to last year, targeting an adjusted operating income of around KRW 1.5 trillion, excluding the impact of the previous year's data breach incident. (Hye-Byung Min, CFO)
Q: Could you elaborate on KT's shareholder return policy and the possibility of upsizing it if profitability improves? A: The midterm shareholder return policy from 2026 to 2028 will continue using 50% of net adjusted income. Efforts will be made to improve profitability and potentially increase dividends. The share buyback program of KRW 250 billion annually will continue as part of the value-up program. Adjustments to net income include noncash items and non-ordinary P&L to ensure stable dividend visibility. (Hye-Byung Min, CFO)
Q: What are the growth strategy and revenue outlook for KT's wireless business in 2026? A: Despite a temporary subscriber base reduction in January, net additions have been observed since February. The focus is on efficiency and agility, with new 5G plans linked to YouTube Premium to increase ARPU. KT aims to reduce acquisition costs through non-contact channels and services like used phone sales, maintaining revenue growth. (Hyun-Jin Park, Head of Customer Business Group)
Q: What are the key customer needs for AI data centers, and how is KT addressing power security challenges for data centers? A: Key needs for AI data centers include environment management, build-out, and operations. KT's strengths lie in its extensive experience and capabilities in data centers, including pioneering liquid cooling systems. For power security, KT employs a two-track strategy: expanding low voltage data centers in Seoul and establishing AIDC infrastructure outside Seoul, securing land with confirmed power procurement. (Bong-Gyun Kim, Head of Enterprise Business Division)
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
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- KT Corporation (KT) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
May 12, 2026 · seekingalpha.com
KT Corporation (KT) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
- KT Q1 Earnings Call Highlights
May 12, 2026 · marketbeat.com
KT NYSE: KT reported lower first-quarter earnings for fiscal 2026 as higher sales and labor costs and a year-earlier property development gain weighed on profitability, while management outlined plans to reposition the company around AI-driven “AX” services and maintain its shareholder return framework.
- Here are the major earnings before the open Tuesday
May 11, 2026
Major earnings expected before the bell on Tuesday include:
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* Under Armour (UAA [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/UAA])
Other earnings slated for release before Tuesday's open include:
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* For Seeking Alpha's full earnings season calendar, click here [https://seekingalpha.com/earnings/earnings-calendar].
- Tweedy Browne's Strategic Moves: Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc. Sees Significant Reduction
May 6, 2026
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Analyzing the Impact of Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio)'s Recent 13F Filing
Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with CNH. Is CNH fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator.
Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio) recently submitted the 13F filing for the first quarter of 2026, providing insights into its investment moves during this period. Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio)'s operations are managed by its Management Committee, which consists of Jay Hill, Thomas H. Shrager, John D. Spears, and Robert Q. Wyckoff, Jr., who have been with the firm for tenures ranging from 18 to 47 years. Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio) is owned by its Managing Directors and certain other employees and by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. ("AMG"), which owns a majority interest in the firm. AMG provides the Firm with operational autonomy and a seamless mechanism for ownership transfer and succession. Benjamin Graham, through his investment firm Graham-Newman Corp., was one of the firm's primary brokerage clients in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. The Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio) Value Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in U.S. and foreign equity securities that the Adviser believes are undervalued. Investments are focused in developed markets. The fund seeks to reduce currency risk by hedging its perceived foreign currency exposure back into the U.S. dollar where practicable.
Summary of New Buy
Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio) added a total of 6 stocks, among them:
The most significant addition was Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC (NASDAQ:JAZZ), with 60,209 shares, accounting for 0.9% of the portfolio and a total value of $11.38 million. The second largest addition to the portfolio was Asbury Automotive Group Inc (NYSE:ABG), consisting of 7,253 shares, representing approximately 0.11% of the portfolio, with a total value of $1.42 million. The third largest addition was The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI), with 5,375 shares, accounting for 0.11% of the portfolio and a total value of $1.43 million.
Key Position Increases
Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio) also increased stakes in a total of 46 stocks, among them:
The most notable increase was KT Corp (NYSE:KT), with an additional 79,772 shares, bringing the total to 167,181 shares. This adjustment represents a significant 91.26% increase in share count, a 0.13% impact on the current portfolio, with a total value of $3.59 million. The second largest increase was StoneX Group Inc (NASDAQ:SNEX), with an additional 20,021 shares, bringing the total to 54,035. This adjustment represents a significant 58.86% increase in share count, with a total value of $4.36 million.
Story Continues
Summary of Sold Out
Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio) completely exited 9 of the holdings in the first quarter of 2026, as detailed below:
General Motors Co (NYSE:GM): Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio) sold all 25,695 shares, resulting in a -0.17% impact on the portfolio. Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc (NYSE:ATMU): Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio) liquidated all 40,550 shares, causing a -0.17% impact on the portfolio.
Key Position Reduces
Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio) also reduced positions in 29 stocks. The most significant changes include:
Reduced Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:IONS) by 189,305 shares, resulting in a -7.68% decrease in shares and a -1.21% impact on the portfolio. The stock traded at an average price of $78.92 during the quarter and has returned -11.16% over the past 3 months and -2.86% year-to-date. Reduced FedEx Corp (NYSE:FDX) by 38,712 shares, resulting in a -34.34% reduction in shares and a -0.9% impact on the portfolio. The stock traded at an average price of $347.13 during the quarter and has returned 2.57% over the past 3 months and 31.11% year-to-date.
Portfolio Overview
At the first quarter of 2026, Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio)'s portfolio included 93 stocks, with top holdings including 17.61% in CNH Industrial NV (NYSE:CNH), 13.57% in Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:IONS), 9.07% in Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV (NYSE:KOF), 8.22% in Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE:BRK.A), and 4.53% in Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL).
The holdings are mainly concentrated in 9 of all the 11 industries: Healthcare, Industrials, Financial Services, Consumer Defensive, Consumer Cyclical, Communication Services, Energy, Technology, and Basic Materials.
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- KT Corp. Files 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F
Apr 29, 2026
SEOUL, South Korea, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- KT Corporation (NYSE: KT), South Korea's largest integrated telecom and digital platform service provider, announced that it has filed its Form 20- F Annual Report on April 29th, 2026 for the year ended December 31, 2025 with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States. The report can be accessed on KT's English website at https://corp.kt.com/eng in the Investors section under Business Report as well as the SEC's Edgar database at www.sec.gov. Shareholders may also request a hard copy of the Form 20-F Annual Report that includes audited financial statements of 2025, free of charge, by sending an e-mail to the Company's IR department at ktir@kt.com.
About KT Corporation (KRX: 030200; NYSE: KT)
KT Corporation is the leading integrated telecommunications and platform service provider based in South Korea. Principal services include mobile, Broadband, IPTV, B2B communications, and fixed-line telephony. The Company has industry-leading market presence in Broadband, media services, and fixed-line telephony by maintaining the No.1 market share positions. Also, the Company is the No.1 player in B2B communications and offers a wide range of digital transformation services (DC, Cloud, AI, etc.). Additionally, the Company possesses a well-balanced portfolio of diverse subsidiaries focusing on media/content, financial services, real estate developments, and commerce industries.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and the industries in which we operate. The forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "project," "should," and similar expressions. Those statements include, among other things, the discussions of our business strategy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity and capital resources. We caution you that reliance on any forward-looking statement involves risks and uncertainties, and that although we believe that the assumptions on which our forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and, as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions could be incorrect. The uncertainties in this regard include, but are not limited to, those identified in the risk factors discussed above. In light of these and other uncertainties, you should not conclude that we will necessarily achieve any plans and objectives or projected financial results referred to in any of the forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to release the results of any revisions of these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.
Story Continues
IR department:
+82-70-4193-4036
ktir@kt.comCision
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kt-corp-files-2025-annual-report-on-form-20-f-302757200.html
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- KT Corp. Files 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F
Apr 29, 2026 · prnewswire.com
SEOUL, South Korea, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- KT Corporation (NYSE: KT ), South Korea's largest integrated telecom and digital platform service provider, announced that it has filed its Form 20- F Annual Report on April 29th, 2026 for the year ended December 31, 2025 with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States. The report can be accessed on KT's English website at https://corp.kt.com/eng in the Investors section under Business Report as well as the SEC's Edgar database at www.sec.gov.
- KT CORP. FILES 2025 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 20-F
Apr 29, 2026
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, APRIL 29, 2026 /PRNEWSWIRE/ -- KT CORPORATION (NYSE: KT ), SOUTH KOREA'S LARGEST INTEGRATED TELECOM AND DIGITAL PLATFORM SERVICE PROVIDER, ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAS FILED ITS FORM 20- F ANNUAL REPORT ON APRIL 29TH, 2026 FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OF THE UNITED STATES. THE REPORT CAN BE ACCESSED ON KT'S ENGLISH WEBSITE AT HTTPS://CORP.KT.COM/ENG IN THE INVESTORS SECTION UNDER BUSINESS REPORT AS WELL AS THE SEC'S EDGAR DATABASE AT WWW.SEC.GOV.
- Richard Pzena's Strategic Moves: Dollar General Corp Faces a -1.5% Portfolio Impact
Apr 24, 2026
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Insights into Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio)'s First Quarter 2026 Investment Adjustments
Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with SPG. Is MGA fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator.
Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio) recently submitted the 13F filing for the first quarter of 2026, providing insights into his investment moves during this period. Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio) is the founder and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Pzena Investment Management, LLC. Pzena started the firm in 1995. He earned a BS summa cum laude from the Wharton School in 1979 and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania in 1980. Pzena's philosophy is based on ranking companies from the cheapest to the most expensive on the basis of how their current share price compares to their normal long-term earnings power. He purchases shares in good businesses that are selling at a low price. He understands that it is often unrealistic to expect such opportunities to be available absent some sort of problem which causes the price of the shares to drop. The question Pzena and his team try to answer is whether the issue that caused the drop in price is temporary or permanent.
Summary of New Buy
Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio) added a total of 9 stocks, among them:
The most significant addition was KT Corp (NYSE:KT), with 7,175,547 shares, accounting for 0.5% of the portfolio and a total value of $153.92 million. The second largest addition to the portfolio was CDW Corp (NASDAQ:CDW), consisting of 1,115,535 shares, representing approximately 0.44% of the portfolio, with a total value of $135.00 million. The third largest addition was Globant SA (NYSE:GLOB), with 2,968,828 shares, accounting for 0.44% of the portfolio and a total value of $136.89 million.
Key Position Increases
Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio) also increased stakes in a total of 65 stocks, among them:
The most notable increase was Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM), with an additional 1,398,774 shares, bringing the total to 5,470,982 shares. This adjustment represents a significant 34.35% increase in share count, a 0.79% impact on the current portfolio, with a total value of $948.61 million. The second largest increase was Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN), with an additional 1,097,961 shares, bringing the total to 2,405,683. This adjustment represents a significant 83.96% increase in share count, with a total value of $477.02 million.
Summary of Sold Out
Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio) completely exited 8 of the holdings in the first quarter of 2026, as detailed below:
Story Continues
Comerica Inc (CMA): Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio) sold all 374,001 shares, resulting in a -0.1% impact on the portfolio. Charter Communications Inc (NASDAQ:CHTR): Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio) liquidated all 118,715 shares, causing a -0.07% impact on the portfolio.
Key Position Reduces
Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio) also reduced positions in 74 stocks. The most significant changes include:
Reduced Dollar General Corp (NYSE:DG) by 3,779,282 shares, resulting in a -35.4% decrease in shares and a -1.5% impact on the portfolio. The stock traded at an average price of $142.58 during the quarter and has returned -17.45% over the past 3 months and -8.26% year-to-date. Reduced Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) by 2,439,770 shares, resulting in a -22.98% reduction in shares and a -0.85% impact on the portfolio. The stock traded at an average price of $113.88 during the quarter and has returned 13.26% over the past 3 months and 10.25% year-to-date.
Portfolio Overview
At the first quarter of 2026, Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio)'s portfolio included 158 stocks, with top holdings including 6.39% in Magna International Inc (NYSE:MGA), 4.04% in Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (NASDAQ:CTSH), 3.57% in Tyson Foods Inc (NYSE:TSN), 3.52% in Baxter International Inc (NYSE:BAX), and 3.37% in Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (NYSE:BMY).
The holdings are mainly concentrated in 11 industries: Financial Services, Technology, Healthcare, Consumer Cyclical, Consumer Defensive, Industrials, Basic Materials, Energy, Communication Services, Real Estate, and Utilities.
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- Is KT (KT) Stock Undervalued Right Now?
Apr 10, 2026
The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks.
Of these, perhaps no stock market trend is more popular than value investing, which is a strategy that has proven to be successful in all sorts of market environments. Value investors use a variety of methods, including tried-and-true valuation metrics, to find these stocks.
Luckily, Zacks has developed its own Style Scores system in an effort to find stocks with specific traits. Value investors will be interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with both "A" grades in the Value category and high Zacks Ranks are among the strongest value stocks on the market right now.
One stock to keep an eye on is KT (KT). KT is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 7.78, which compares to its industry's average of 12.66. Over the past 52 weeks, KT's Forward P/E has been as high as 18.18 and as low as 6.09, with a median of 7.32.
Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. This is a popular metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement, so they are often considered a better performance indicator. KT has a P/S ratio of 0.54. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.47.
Finally, investors should note that KT has a P/CF ratio of 2.68. This figure highlights a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find firms that are undervalued when considering their impressive cash outlook. This company's current P/CF looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 5.82. Over the past 52 weeks, KT's P/CF has been as high as 3.11 and as low as 1.85, with a median of 2.69.
Investors could also keep in mind Vodafone Group (VOD), another Wireless Non-US stock with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and Value grade of A.
Shares of Vodafone Group currently hold a Forward P/E ratio of 9.98, and its PEG ratio is 0.50. In comparison, its industry sports average P/E and PEG ratios of 12.66 and 0.50.
Over the last 12 months, VOD's P/E has been as high as 12.33, as low as 8.12, with a median of 9.80, and its PEG ratio has been as high as 6.19, as low as 0.43, with a median of 0.54.
Furthermore, Vodafone Group holds a P/B ratio of 0.48 and its industry's price-to-book ratio is 2.76. VOD's P/B has been as high as 0.51, as low as 0.31, with a median of 0.38 over the past 12 months.
Story Continues
These are just a handful of the figures considered in KT and Vodafone Group's great Value grade. Still, they help show that the stock is likely being undervalued at the moment. Add this to the strength of its earnings outlook, and we can clearly see that KT and VOD is an impressive value stock right now.
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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
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