[THE INVESTOR] Lotte Fine Chemical’s earnings will take a significant leap, said Korea Investment and Securities on Nov. 21, maintaining a “buy” recommendation and raising the target price to 92,000 won (US$83.86) from 56,000 won.

Its fourth-quarter operating profit will surge 69 percent on-year, over 30 percent higher than market consensus, and the prospects are even brighter next year. Its operating profit in 2018 will more than double to 224.3 billion won, said analyst Lee Do-yeon.

Its flagship products ECH and caustic soda will propel the strong trend and both are in short supply with margins growing fast, underlined the analyst. 

By Hwang You-mee (glamazon@heraldcorp.com)