Seoul: Naver Corp., South Korea's largest online portal operator, reported a significant increase in its third-quarter net profit, reaching 734.7 billion won (US$510.2 million), which marks a 38.6 percent rise from the previous year. The company's robust financial performance for the July-September period reflects strong operational results and an increase in sales.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing that its operating income for the third quarter climbed 8.6 percent year-on-year to 570.6 billion won. The sales for the same period surged by 15.6 percent, totaling 3.13 trillion won. This financial performance surpassed market expectations, with analysts' average net profit estimate standing at 500 billion won, based on a survey conducted by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency.

The earnings report highlights Naver Corp.'s continued growth and resilience in the competitive online services market. The company's ability to exceed market expectations demonstrates its strategic execution and the growing demand for its services.