KOSPI Listed Companies Surpass 100 Trillion KRW Operating Profit in H1... 91% Increase YoY

The profitability of companies listed on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) market significantly improved in the first half of this year. Operating profit on a consolidated basis surpassed 100 trillion won.

Korea Exchange, Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the Korea Exchange on the 19th, the operating profit of 620 companies with December fiscal year-end in the KOSPI market (consolidated basis, excluding financial industry) in the first half reached 102.99 trillion won, marking a 91.43% increase compared to the same period last year. Net profit rose by 107.21% to 78.74 trillion won. Sales increased by 4.55% to 1,474.48 trillion won. The operating profit margin based on sales was 7.56%, up 5.53 percentage points from the same period last year. The net profit margin based on sales increased by 2.40% to 8.62%.

Second quarter results showed sales of 749.71 trillion won, up 3.44% from the previous quarter, and operating profit of 56.16 trillion won, an increase of 19.93%. Net profit rose by 16.38% to 55.38 trillion won. Both operating profit margin and net profit margin increased from the previous quarter, standing at 7.49% and 5.64%, respectively.

The number of companies with net profit in the first half was 492, an increase of 16 companies compared to the same period last year. The number of companies with losses decreased by 16 to 128.

The debt ratio in the first half was 76.50%, down 0.32 percentage points from the end of last year.

By industry, sales increased in 11 sectors including electrical and electronics, and transportation and warehousing, while six sectors including steel and metals, and electric and gas utilities showed a decline. Operating profit increased in 13 sectors including electrical and electronics, and electric and gas utilities, but decreased in four sectors including steel and metals, and machinery. Net profit also increased in 11 sectors including electrical and electronics, and electric and gas utilities, but decreased in six sectors including machinery and steel and metals. In the electrical and electronics sector, sales in the first half reached 292.98 trillion won, a 15.10% increase year-on-year, and operating profit turned positive at 30.56 trillion won.

The consolidated operating profit of 41 financial companies in the first half was 30.23 trillion won, up 9.17% from the same period last year. Net profit increased by 5.15% to 22.28 trillion won. Within operating profit, insurance rose by 12.12% and financial holding companies by 8.25%. Net profit increased by 14.11% in insurance and 5.02% in securities, respectively.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.