KT&G announces additional shareholder returns, setting annual dividend per share at 6,000 KRW, signs MOU with Altria on nicotine pouch, etc.

Core Insights - KT&G announced growth targets and shareholder return plans during the "2025 KT&G CEO Investor Day" [1][2] - A comprehensive MOU was signed with Altria for strategic collaboration in nicotine and non-nicotine sectors [2][8] Shareholder Return Strategy - KT&G aims for a total payout ratio of 100% or higher and a dividend payout ratio of 50% or higher [3] - The minimum annual dividend per share is set at 6,000 KRW, an increase of 600 KRW from the previous year [4] - Additional share repurchase and cancellation of 260 billion KRW is planned, marking a year-on-year increase of 100 billion KRW [4] Financial Performance - The global cigarette business has achieved five consecutive quarters of "triple growth" in revenue, operating profit, and sales volume [6] - Adjusted operating profit for the first half of 2025 showed a year-on-year growth of 127.8% [6] Strategic Initiatives - KT&G targets double-digit growth for both operating profit and revenue in 2025 [8] - The MOU with Altria includes plans for joint acquisition of a Scandinavian nicotine pouch manufacturer to enter the growing nicotine pouch market [10] - Collaboration will also focus on optimizing the traditional cigarette business and expanding into the U.S. health functional foods market [12][13]