Seoul: LG Energy Solution Ltd., South Korea's leading battery maker, reported an estimated operating loss of 207.8 billion won (US$138.2 million) for the first quarter. This marks a significant shift from the operating profit of 374.7 billion won recorded during the same period last year.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the company's sales fell by 2.5 percent, totaling 6.55 trillion won for the quarter. Meanwhile, data regarding net earnings was not disclosed.

The reported operating loss exceeded expectations by 30.4 percent, based on a survey conducted by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data arm of Yonhap News Agency. LG Energy Solution is expected to release its final earnings report at a later date.