{
  "id": 1854186,
  "title": "Listed firms' profits soar in H1, driven by AI-led semiconductor boom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/listed-firms-profits-soar-in-h1-driven-by-ai-led-semiconductor-boom",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-19T03:00:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260819004600320"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the first half of 2023, South Korean listed companies experienced a surge in profits, driven by the global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors. According to data released by the Korea Exchange, the combined operating profit of 720 KOSPI-listed firms increased by an impressive 348.5% year-on-year to 275 trillion won ($195.2 billion). This surge in profits was accompanied by a 34.5% rise in total sales to 1,070 trillion won, and a 330% increase in net profit to 291.5 trillion won.\n\nWhen these figures are adjusted to exclude the strong performances of Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc., whose earnings were bolstered by the global AI investment boom, the remaining listed firms still managed a 6.08% increase in combined sales. Their operating profits saw an 11.78% growth, while net profits expanded by 25.44%.\n\nOut of the total 720 firms, 581, or 80.69%, reported a profit during this period. The electric and electronic industries, as well as precision machinery manufacturers, demonstrated particularly robust performance.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean listed firms reported record earnings du...",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korean listed companies' profits surge 348.5% YoY in H1 2023",
    "Global AI semiconductor demand fuels profit growth",
    "Excluding Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, firms still grow 6.08%"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}