APR, emerging prominently in Korea’s beauty technology sector, has ascended to become the leading cosmetics firm in the nation by market capitalization. This achievement comes as APR surpasses both Amorepacific and LG Household & Health Care. The development highlights the challenges faced by the traditional leading companies in K-beauty, while APR's rapid growth marks its entry as a significant competitor in the industry.
As reported by the Korea Exchange on the 6th, APR's stock price surged by ₩27,200, or 14.52%, reaching ₩214,500 at 9:40 a.m. The shares briefly reached a peak of ₩220,000 after the announcement of better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter. At these prices, APR's market capitalization is approximately ₩8.16 trillion. This indicates a robust investor confidence and a strong market presence.
Established in 2014, APR owns several beauty brands, including Aprilskin and Forment, as well as MediCube, a rapidly expanding brand of home beauty devices. Strong performance in exports to regions such as the United States, Europe, and the Middle East has significantly contributed to its earnings growth. To enhance its global market presence, APR recently appointed IVE’s Jang Won-young as the new ambassador for its MediCube Age-R brand, succeeding actress Kim Hee-sun.
APR made its stock market debut on February 27, 2023, with shares opening at ₩317,500, marking a 27% increase from its initial public offering price of ₩250,000. At the time of its listing, APR's market capitalization was ₩2.41 trillion. This initial success set the stage for its rapid ascent in market rankings.
On June 23 of this year, APR's market value exceeded that of LG Household & Health Care for the first time, earning it the second position in Korea’s cosmetics sector. As of the day before the report, APR's market capitalization was ₩7.13 trillion, compared to LG H&H’s ₩4.59 trillion, a difference of over ₩2.5 trillion. Following its recent stock market surge, APR has now also surpassed Amorepacific, becoming the leader in K-beauty just 17 months after going public. This swift rise underscores APR's strategic growth and adaptability in the cosmetics market.