Seoul: Amorepacific Corp., South Korea's leading cosmetics company, announced a significant shift to a net profit in the fourth quarter, primarily driven by robust overseas sales. In the three months ending in December, Amorepacific reported a net profit of 22.5 billion won (US$15.3 million), a turnaround from a net loss of 46.2 billion won in the same period of 2024, as per a regulatory filing.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the company's quarterly performance was bolstered by continued growth in markets such as the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, alongside improved profitability in China and steady growth in Japan and other Asian markets. The rising global popularity of K-beauty products has increased demand for Amorepacific's premium brands, including Hera, Laneige, and Aestura.

The company's financial results were also supported by equity gains from the local skincare brand COSRX, which Amorepacific acquired in 2023. COSRX's earnings have been included in Amorepacific's financial results since May 2024. Despite these gains, Amorepacific's operating profit saw a decline of 33 percent to 52.5 billion won in the fourth quarter, down from 78.5 billion won a year earlier. However, sales increased by 6.6 percent, reaching 1.16 trillion won from 1.09 trillion won.

The quarterly operating profit was impacted by provisions for a voluntary retirement program, as disclosed by the company. For the entire year of 2025, Amorepacific's net income fell by 58.9 percent year-on-year to 247.3 billion won. However, operating profit surged by 52 percent to 335.8 billion won, supported by sales of 4.25 trillion won, marking a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year.

In a strategic move, the company revealed a 10-year business plan in September of the previous year, with the ambitious goal of nearly tripling revenue to 15 trillion won by 2035. To achieve this, Amorepacific plans to concentrate on five key markets: North America, Europe, China, India-Middle East, and Japan-Southeast Asia, while also enhancing its beauty solutions business and integrating artificial intelligence in its operations. These regions represent approximately 80 percent of global cosmetics sales.