Major South Korean securities firms are projected to report improved fourth-quarter earnings, backed by a stock market rally extending into the new year. According to data from Yonhap Infomax, the combined operating profit forecast for the top four local brokerages reached 1.25 trillion won (USD 857.2 million), up 17.13 percent from the previous quarter. Heavy trading in the chip sector and strong investment banking performances are cited as key drivers.
SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- Major securities firms in South Korea are projected to report improved fourth-quarter earnings backed by a stock market rally that extended into the new year, market data showed Friday.
The combined operating profit forecast for the October-December period for the country's top four local brokerages totaled 1.25 trillion won (USD 857.2 million), up 17.13 percent from the previous quarter, according to the data from Yonhap Infomax, the financial arm of Yonhap News Agency.
The four brokerages are Mirae Asset Securities, Kiwoom Securities, Samsung Securities and NH Investment & Securities.
In a separate projection from Daishin Securities on the leading five local brokerages, including Korea Investment Holdings, the operating profit outlook stood at 1.5 trillion won.
Heavy stock transactions led by the chip sector boom and robust performances in the investment banking sector were attributed as reasons.
"Trading volume is showing no signs of slowing down, but rather increasing in January, to over 50 trillion won, amid a continued semiconductor super cycle," Park Hye-jin, an analyst from Daishin Securities, said.
South Korea's benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) posted nearly 22 percent gains in the October-December period, data from Yonhap Infomax showed.
For the entirety of 2025, the KOSPI skyrocketed around 75 percent, becoming one of the best-performing stock indexes among those in the Group of 20 (G20) nations.
This market surge has bolstered the profitability of securities firms, highlighting the ongoing momentum in the semiconductor-driven economy.
