A recent report by corporate data research firm CEO Score reveals that eight major South Korean companies—KT&G, SK Telecom, Hanssem, Korea Zinc, S-1, CJ ENM, Shinsegae, and Hyundai Mobis—have recorded 102 consecutive quarters of profit from Q1 2000 to Q2 2025. This exceptional streak highlights their consistent financial stability and resilience across various economic cycles. The analysis is based on individual financial statements from 361 of the top 500 domestic companies that submit quarterly reports to the Financial Supervisory Service.
Several other prominent firms also demonstrated remarkable long-term profitability. These include:
Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance: 101 quarters of profit (with one quarter of loss).
Kumho Petrochemical: 99 quarters of profit.
Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical, Korea Steel: 98 quarters of profit.
GS EPS, LS Electric: 95 quarters of profit.
Naver, Kakao, POSCO International: 94 quarters of profit.
SK: 92 quarters of profit.
Hyundai Department Store: 91 quarters of profit.
Samsung SDS, SPC Samlip: 90 quarters of profit.
Prolonged Losses Hit Petrochemical and Battery Industries
In contrast, 27 companies faced continuous losses, with the petrochemical and battery sectors being particularly hard-hit. The CEO Score report noted that nearly half of these companies (12) were from the petrochemical industry, underscoring the severe downturn in that sector.
The companies with the longest consecutive loss streaks are:
LG Energy Solution: 16 consecutive quarters of loss.
SK On, Yeochun NCC: 15 consecutive quarters of loss.
LG Display: 14 consecutive quarters of loss.
Lotte Chemical: 9 consecutive quarters of loss.
Korea Seven, L&F, Daehan Chemical: 7 consecutive quarters of loss.
T'way Air, SK Geo Centric, Hanwha TotalEnergies: 5 consecutive quarters of loss.
HD Hyundai Chemical, Youngpoong, Samsung SDI: 4 consecutive quarters of loss.
Recent Financial Shifts: Companies Entering and Exiting Red
In Q2 2025, several companies, which had previously maintained profitability, turned to a loss. A total of 27 companies, including KCC Glass (after 21 consecutive quarters of profit), HS Hyosung Advanced Materials (after 19 quarters), and Jin Air (after 10 quarters), recorded a loss, largely due to unfavorable industry conditions.
On a positive note, eight companies managed to escape their long-standing losses in Q2 2025. Hyosung Chemical, for instance, successfully turned profitable after a long streak of 11 consecutive quarters of loss. Other firms that returned to black include:
Ecopro BM
Samsung Electro-Mechanics
Asiana Airlines
Lotte Hi-Mart
Eugene Corporation
Innocean
Ssangyong C&E
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