The conglomerate, led by president Lucio Tan III, earned P25.82 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 14 percent from P22.57 billion and already 83 percent of the nearly P31 billion it made in all of 2025.
That leaves LT Group about P5.2 billion short of matching last year's earnings, with the holiday quarter still ahead for its consumer businesses.
Banking delivers the biggest lift
Philippine National Bank (PNB) remained the biggest earnings driver, contributing P11.95 billion, or 46 percent of group profit, as its standalone net income climbed 15 percent to P21.27 billion.
The bank earned more from loans and fees while paying less interest on deposits, helping offset an 81-percent plunge in trading and investment gains.
Its profits also benefited from higher gains on foreclosed property sales and the reversal of P1.47 billion in previously recorded loan losses.
Together, banking and tobacco accounted for 82 percent of LT Group's earnings, with the cigarette business contributing P9.35 billion as price increases in March lifted profits despite only modest growth in sales volume.
Higher prices support consumer earnings
The benefits of stronger selling prices were evident in Tanduay, although rising costs squeezed other businesses:
LT Group paid P9.74 billion in dividends through September, equivalent to 31.4 percent of earnings, while its parent company held P2.82 billion in cash.
With banking delivering steady growth and higher prices supporting key consumer businesses, LT Group enters the final quarter within reach of its 2025 profit total, although another record full-year result will depend on the final three months.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
