Data released on Wednesday shows that South Korean listed companies achieved record-breaking profitability in the first half of this year, driven primarily by robust global demand for semiconductors used in artificial intelligence applications.
According to figures published by the Korea Exchange, the combined operating profit of 720 companies listed on the benchmark KOSPI index surged 348.5% year-on-year during the January-to-June period, reaching 275 trillion won (approximately $195.2 billion). Their aggregate revenue climbed 34.5% to 1,070 trillion won, while net profit skyrocketed 330% to 2,915 trillion won.
Excluding Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which posted stellar results amid the global AI investment boom, the remaining listed firms saw revenue grow 6.08%, with operating profit and net profit rising 11.78% and 25.44%, respectively. A total of 581 companies, or 80.69% of the surveyed firms, reported profits.
By sector, electrical and electronics companies, along with precision machinery manufacturers, demonstrated particularly solid performance during the period.
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