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SK Development sees strong refining margins; battery system keeps break-even target

SK Development said on Thursday it anticipates strong oil refining margins in the second half of the year as OPEC+ production cuts buoy prices and the peak need season for transportation, cooling and industrial usage begins.

The owner of South Korea's most significant refiner, SK Energy, posted an operating loss of 46 billion won ($ 33.6 million) for April-June versus a 107 billion won loss a year previously. The result compared with an LSEG SmartEstimate of 295 billion won profit.

Profits increased 0.4% to 18.8 trillion won, simply missing analyst estimates.

Lower oil rates and narrowing refining margins as well as decreasing utilisation rates at battery factories and new factory expenses added to the quarterly outcome, SK Development said in a declaration.

Battery subsidiary SK On, a provider of car manufacturers including Ford Motor, Hyundai Motor and Volkswagen , booked an operating loss of 460 billion won versus a loss of 332 billion won in the previous quarter.

SK On reiterated its target of breaking even in the fourth quarter, pointing out a need recovery in electric automobiles (EVs) and batteries in general along with expense reduction efforts.

It said it will continue to expand its battery product portfolio to much better fulfill car manufacturer consumer needs.

Last month, a senior executive stated SK On was in talks with car manufacturers to supply prismatic batteries, in addition to its essential pouch-type batteries.

Moms And Dad SK Innovation is combining with energy affiliate SK E&S, which experts stated will likely support the finances of the money-losing battery subsidiary by combining it with a. successful company with a more powerful balance sheet.

Slowing EV demand has prompted automakers to adjust. electrification strategies. Ford last month stated would use a Canadian. plant allocated for EVs for petrol-powered variations of its. F-Series pickup truck.

Hyundai Motor is expanding its petrol-electric hybrid. car lineup due to alleviating EV need and uncertainty over EV. policies in the U.S. due to a governmental election there in. November.

SK On's cross-town rival LG Energy Service. recently cut its annual earnings target by more than 20% and. stated it would slow expansion plans due to a. sharper-than-expected downturn in EV demand.

SK Development's share cost was 0.4% higher in early morning trade. versus a 0.4% increase in the benchmark KOSPI.

(source: Reuters)