LG Acquisitions

LG Electronics Inc., with businesses spanning TVs to washing machines, is looking at home appliance acquisitions to fuel its global expansion and withstand a slowing smartphone market.

The company will probably focus on business-to-business targets, such as component makers, Jo Seong-Jin, president of LG’s home appliance division, said in an interview. Earnings from the business will increase in the quarters ahead, Jo said, as he expects the unit’s sales to rise about 10 percent this year. LG shares climbed 4.1 percent Monday, the most in almost a month. The KOSPI gained 1.4 percent in Seoul.

LG, like larger rival Samsung Electronics Co., is trying to innovate and push into premium segments to capture more affluent consumers amid increased competition from Chinese rivals including Midea Group Co. and and Haier Electronics Group Co. LG released its Twin Wash machine in July last year, enabling users to do two loads of laundry at the same time.

“The home appliance industry growth, including washers and refrigerators, is unlikely to show a significant expansion going forward,” Jo said. “The overall home appliance market is expected to grow about 2.5 to 3 percent by sales this year whereas our sales for premium sets alone will generate a whopping 10 to 15 percent growth.”