South korea: South Korean listed firms reported record earnings during the first six months of this year, thanks to robust global demand for semiconductors used for artificial intelligence (AI), data showed Wednesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the combined operating profit of 720 companies listed on the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged 348.5 percent on-year to 275 trillion won (US$195.2 billion) in the January-June period. Their combined sales jumped 34.5 percent on-year to 1,070 trillion won, and net profit soared 330 percent to 291.5 trillion won.

Excluding Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc., which had enjoyed handsome earnings due to the global AI investment boom, the listed firms saw combined sales grow 6.08 percent, while their operating profits and net profits gained 11.78 percent and 25.44 percent, respectively. Of the total, 581 firms, or 80.69 percent, were in the black.

By sector, electric and electronic companies, as well as precision machinery makers, showed solid performances.