South Korea's listed companies are expected to see their 2016 operating profit increase more than 16 percent in 2016 on the back of improving external conditions, a market tracker said Sunday.
  

The combined operating profit of 236 major companies trading on the country's main and secondary stock markets is projected to reach 135.1 trillion won ($117 billion) next year, up 16.1 percent from this year's estimate, according to FnGuide, which provides financial information.
  

Their total sales are likely to grow 5.7 percent on-year to 1,723.9 trillion won in 2016, with combined net profit rising 12.1 percent to 100.7 trillion won.
  

The companies are those for which more than three local brokerage companies have put out estimates of their revenue and earnings in the coming year.
  

According to FnGuide, South Korea's three major shipbuilding companies are expected to turn around from this year's huge operating losses.
  

Leading carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. and its smaller affiliate Kia Motor Corp. are predicted to post solid operating profit gains next year as the U.S. dollar is likely to remain strong against the South Korean won in the wake of a rate increase.
  

But the brokerage houses have downgraded their earnings estimates for Samsung Electronics Co., the world's top smartphone and memory chip maker, and other major manufacturing companies.
  

Samsung's operating profit is projected to drop 0.37 percent on-year in 2016, and SK hynix inc., the world's No. 2 memory chip manufacturer, is forecast to suffer a 20.9 percent tumble, according to FnGuide. (Yonhap)