South Korea's Top Five Securities Firms Post 130% Q2 Operating Profit Surge on Higher Trading Volume

According to F&Guide data released on July 23, South Korea's five major listed securities firms (Mirae Asset Securities, Korea Finance Holdings, Samsung Securities, Kiwoom Securities, and NH Investment) posted combined Q2 operating profit consensus estimate of 4.895 trillion won, up 130.4% year-over-year from 2.125 trillion won in the same period last year. All five firms saw double-digit operating profit growth.

The surge was driven by increased domestic stock trading amid rising prices and volatility, which expanded brokerage commissions and credit extension interest income. Q2 daily average stock trading volume including ETFs reached 118.1 trillion won, up 39.8% from the prior quarter. ETF market share also expanded, with ETF trading accounting for 49% of Korea Exchange volume in Q2 versus 40% in Q1.