South Korean securities firms report surge in profits and corporate tax

South Korean securities firms have reported significant financial growth in the first half of 2026. The top 10 major brokerage firms saw their combined corporate tax reach 2.51 trillion won, a 93.5% increase compared to the same period last year. This surge in tax liability follows a 78.2% rise in pre-tax profits, which totaled 9.88 trillion won for the half-year period.

Key performers in the sector include Korea Investment & Securities, Kiwoom Securities, Samsung Securities, Mirae Asset Securities, NH Investment & Securities, and KB Securities, all of which joined the '1 trillion won pre-tax profit club' for the first half of the year. Total commission revenue for these top 10 firms reached 10.72 trillion won, more than doubling from the previous year.

Individually, DB Securities reported a 38.4% increase in its dividend amount, reaching 22.2 billion won for the 2025 fiscal year. The company is pursuing a corporate value enhancement plan with a target of achieving a return on equity (ROE) of over 10% by 2027 and maintaining a shareholder return rate of at least 40% over the next three years.