Samsung electronicly disclosed that initial operating profits in the second quarter of 2026 amounted to 89.4 trillion won, a significant increase over the previous quarter and the same period of the previous year. During the same period, the number rose to 17.1 trillion won. However, corporate equity prices continued to decline after the performance was announced, and the market remained concerned about the sustainability of subsequent profits.

Initial performance is high

According to the company's disclosed calibre, the profit of operating from April to June was 89.4 trillion won, up from 57.2 trillion won in the previous quarter and significantly higher than the 4.7 trillion won in the same period of the previous year. During the same period, 17.1 trillion won was collected, compared with 133.9 trillion won in the previous quarter.

  • Business profits: 89.4 trillion won
  • Last quarter: 57.2 trillion won
  • During the same period of the previous year: 4.7 trillion won

One-time bonus cost included

According to the analyst, this initial performance has been offset by one-time costs such as a staff bonus reserve. The related expenditure was derived from the incentive arrangement following the recent collective bargaining, so this portion of the cost is reflected in the current quarterly profit data.

This also means that the market will then focus more on regular profitability than on a single-season total. Despite the new highs in profits, the decline in stock prices indicates that investors are still assessing performance structures.

The way the collective agreement adjusts.

Earlier this year, Samsung agreed to eliminate the bonus ceiling of 100 per cent of the original basic salary and to spend 10.5 per cent of the operating profits on the bonus. Previously, the union had been protesting for weeks, demanding a higher percentage of the income distribution for employees.

Additional information:This release is a preliminary performance data, usually issued earlier than the full financial report, which will disclose a more detailed business and cost structure.