Combined operating profit of KOSPI-listed firms projected to be 17% lower y/y/ in Q1: FnGuide

코로나19에 1분기 상장사 영업익 17%↓,... 오늘 삼성전자 실적 발표Taking a look now at how South Korean businesses are faring during the coronavirus outbreak.As you might expect, the figures don't make pretty reading.The combined operating profit of companies listed on the benchmark KOSPI is projected to have slumped nearly 17-percent on-year in the first quarter.Financial data provider FnGuide says the combined operating profit of 141 firms is set to be around 13-point-7 billon U.S. dollars,... down from 16-and-a-half billion, during same period last year.But a slightly different pictureThe largest firm by market cap on the KOSPI, Samsung Electronics is set to release its guidance for the January-to-March profit in the coming hours,... and it's widely expected to be relatively unaffected despite the pandemic.The world's largest chipmaker is expected to log over 5-billion dollars in operating profits,... unchanged from a year ago.Analysts say Samsung's strong chip business is likely to have offset losses in its smartphone and consumer electronic sectors.