South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service published preliminary second quarter 2026 results showing that securities companies’ net income rose 20% from the previous quarter and 82.1% from a year earlier to KRW 5.1914 trillion. Return on equity increased to 4.9%, from 4.3% in the first quarter and 3.1% a year earlier. Commission income increased 32.5% quarter on quarter to KRW 8.8675 trillion, supported by growth in brokerage, investment banking and wealth management commissions. Proprietary trading income rose 45.8% to KRW 5.9825 trillion, while selling, general and administrative expenses increased 21.3%. The 61 securities companies’ assets expanded 14.4% to KRW 1,256.1 trillion at end-June, and their average net capital ratio rose to 1,140.5%, although the average leverage ratio edged up to 723.4%. The three futures trading companies recorded net income of KRW 36.84 billion, up 12.8% quarter on quarter, with their net capital ratio reaching 1,761.3%. The Financial Supervisory Service plans to encourage securities companies to address insolvent assets preemptively and monitor risks to financial soundness and profitability. It will also seek to rationalize liquidity regulations and the net capital ratio calculation method while strengthening firms’ risk management systems.

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