# South Korean industrial firms profit surge

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-industrial-firms-profit-surge
> Updated: 2026-07-30T08:19:48.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3.

In late July 2026, two major South Korean industrial groups reported strong second‑quarter earnings. Dongkuk Steel posted a 52 % rise in operating profit to 456 billion won, driven by robust demand for semiconductor and AI data‑centre projects as well as continued shipbuilding activity. The company also benefited from provisional anti‑dumping duties on Chinese steel, which improved domestic margins.

A few days later, Doosan Co. announced a 38 % increase in Q2 consolidated operating profit to 488.4 billion won, helped by strong performance across its Energy and Bobcat divisions. Doosan Energy’s growth stemmed from expanded power‑plant and service contracts, including a seven‑unit gas‑turbine supply to a U.S. client and projects in Saudi Arabia, Oman and the Czech Republic. Doosan Bobcat’s results were boosted by pricing policies and tariff‑refund effects.

On 30 July, POSCO Holdings added to the trend with a 16 % sequential rise in operating profit to KRW 819 billion and consolidated revenue of KRW 19.3 trillion. Profit growth came from higher output and sales in its steel, rechargeable‑battery‑materials and energy divisions, while the steel affiliate posted KRW 270 billion operating profit. The company cited headwinds from logistics, energy costs, exchange‑rate moves, raw‑material volatility, the Middle‑East conflict and a weak won. In U.S. dollar terms, POSCO earned $1.30 per share versus a $0.85 consensus estimate and generated $12.43 billion in revenue, beating forecasts. Shares traded around $52.98 on high volume, with analysts offering mixed ratings.

All three firms highlighted that heightened demand for high‑tech infrastructure, energy equipment, and traditional heavy‑industry sectors underpinned their profit surges, reflecting a broader upswing in South Korea’s industrial manufacturing and export environment.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-30: POSCO Reports Strong Q2 Earnings, Beats Estimates

POSCO posted Q2 profit up 16% to KRW 819 bn, revenue KRW 19.3 tn, and EPS $1.30 beating estimates, while steel and battery segments improved despite Middle‑East energy risks.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/posco-reports-strong-q2-earnings-beats-estimates

### 2026-07-27: Doosan reports 38% rise in Q2 consolidated operating profit

Doosan posted Q2 revenue of 5.59 trn won, operating profit up 38% to 488.4 bn won, and net profit up 130%. Doosan Energy’s profit rose 16% to 314.3 bn won on a 3% revenue gain.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/doosan-reports-38-rise-in-q2-consolidated-operating-profit

### 2026-07-24: Dongkuk Steel posts 52% Q2 operating profit rise on AI data centre and shipbuilding demand

Dongkuk Steel's Q2 revenue hit 9.96 tn won and operating profit rose 52.3% to 456 bn won, driven by AI data‑center, semiconductor and shipbuilding demand; subsidiary Dongkuk CM posted a 211 bn won profit after

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dongkuk-steel-posts-52-q2-operating-profit-rise-on-ai-data-centre-and-shipbuilding-demand

---
Cite as: South Korean industrial firms profit surge. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-industrial-firms-profit-surge