South Korea's leading listed companies saw their sales and operating profits decline in 2014, as the country's top conglomerate firms, such as Samsung Electronics Co. and Hyundai Motor Co., reported weaker than expected bottom lines, a report showed Monday.
  

The combined operating profit of 1,103 non-financial firms traded on the country's main and secondary stock exchanges plunged 17.9 percent on-year during the first three quarters of last year, according to the report by the Federation of Korean Industries.
  

The companies' sales also fell 1.5 percent over the cited period, the lobbying group's report said.
  

Both figures have been on a downtrend in recent years amid declining earnings among the country's 10 largest companies by sales, including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group.
  

The combined operating profits of these top 10 firms plunged 31.6 percent on-year during the first nine months of last year, with their sales also down 1.5 percent over the same period, the FKI report showed.
  

"Manufacturers and major global companies, which account for a large portion of the South Korean economy, have fallen into a slump," said Hong Sung-il, head of the FKI's financial and tax team.
  

"As the companies' deteriorating performance can lead to a fall in investment and employment, as well as overall tax revenues, it is necessary to create a business environment that can help revitalize these firms." (Yonhap)