LG Energy Solution Ltd. (LGES), South Korea's leading battery maker, said Friday its estimated operating profit plunged 75 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier due to slowing EV sales. Operating profit for the three months ended in March fell to 157.3 billion won (US$116 million) from 633.2 billion won during the same period of last year, the company said in a regulatory filing. Sales fell 30 percent to 6.13 trillion won in the first quarter from 8.75 trillion won a year ago, it said. LGES is scheduled to release its finalized earnings figures for the March quarter later this month. Source: Yonhap News Agency