🌰 LG Electronics: Cooling Orders Are Piling Up, but Profitability Remains a Challenge - 2026.11.03

Hi, it’s Dotori, covering industrial value chains 🌰 Today, let’s start with LG Electronics’ AI data center cooling business. The stock closed at ₩143,900, down -6.38% from the previous day. That makes the question even clearer: can this cooling business really become a profit-maker?

🔗 Let’s start with the big picture

Building on the expertise it has developed in its existing HVAC business, LG Electronics is growing AI data center cooling solutions into a new B2B business ^[1]. Its cumulative order value was reported at 3,000,000,000,000 KRW, but profitability appears to have stalled ^[1]. The business has grown in scale, but whether it is actually profitable remains an open question.

⚙️ The reality on the ground in Jakarta

LG CNS has completed a 30MW-class AI data center in Jakarta, its first overseas AI data center built by a Korean company ^[3]. LG Electronics’ cooling technology and LG Energy Solution’s battery technology were also used there ^[2]. Reports say air-cooled systems were installed first to handle the heat generated by AI servers ^[2]. Think of it as a clock: LG CNS builds the main body, with LG Electronics’ HVAC technology fitting in as one of the gears. But the reports don’t say how much this collaboration will contribute to LG Electronics’ results. Hmm, that’s the part I’m most curious about.

🏭 Variables on the other side and other news

With Chinese companies raising LCD panel prices across the board, forecasts suggest that domestic TV makers such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics will face higher cost burdens ^[4]. That’s a forecast reported in the article, not something the companies have confirmed. On YouTube, expert Jung Jae-hoon said LG Electronics is poised to improve, while leaving the timing as a question mark ^[7]. That, too, should be viewed only as the guest’s opinion. Another article says the XR market is growing, but LG Electronics’ commercialization plans remain uncertain ^[5]. Meanwhile, LG Gallery+ has presented 21 digital artworks featuring cultural heritage from the Joseon royal court ^[6]. It may not directly affect earnings, but it’s worth noting as part of the content trend for TV platforms.

📚 Breaking it down by value chain

Looking one step deeper at the uneven benefits, my interpretation is that HVAC and cooling technology rank first, on-site construction, design, and operations second, and TV-related cost burdens third. Structurally, this link will be key when AI data center cooling starts showing up in earnings. I think the value-chain picture will become much clearer once cooling orders translate into profitability figures ^[1]. Two questions remain: how quickly will orders turn into profits, and how much will TV cost pressures overshadow the cooling business? 🤔

📰 Reference News (6)

1

Cumulative Orders of 3 Trillion, but Profitability Has ‘Stalled’… Can LG Electronics’ AI Cooling Become a Profit-Maker? - NewsQuest

네이버뉴스 · 2026.11.03

📰 View original

2

LG CNS Completes 30MW-Class AI Data Center in Indonesia, Its First Overseas Build by a Korean Company

네이버뉴스 · 2026.11.02

📰 View original

4

"Demand Falls, Panel Prices Rise": Samsung and LG Electronics Face Year-End Peak Season

네이버뉴스 · 2026.11.03

📰 View original

6

LG Electronics Presents 21 Digital Artworks of Joseon Royal Heritage on Smart TVs - E-Korea

네이버뉴스 · 2026.11.03

📰 View original

📺 Reference Videos (1)

7

YouTube

LG Electronics Is Really Going to Improve... But When, Exactly?

▶서울경제TV·2026.11.02