South Korea's Top 10 Brokerages Post Record Q2 Profit, Shares Stay Weak
South Korea's 10 largest brokerages posted a record profit of almost 6 trillion won (about $4.356 billion) for the second quarter, but their shares have shown persistent weakness. Combined consolidated net profit for Mirae Asset, Korea Investment, Samsung, KB, NH, Shinhan, Meritz, Kiwoom, Hana and Daishin came to 5.9362 trillion won (around $4.310 billion), up 37% from the previous quarter and 141% from a year earlier, according to the Korean financial investment industry on the 29th.
Despite the strong earnings, the market has not rewarded the sector. The Korea Exchange securities industry index closed at 9,804.97 on May 9, hitting its intra-year high, and then retreated sharply. In June the index dropped to the 6,400-7,400 range; in July it slipped to the 4,700-6,400 range; this month it has been moving between 5,000 and 5,500.
The second-quarter numbers set a record, with both sequential and annual growth, but the share prices of these brokers have remained under pressure. The gap shows earnings strength has not translated into stock market gains.