Naver leaves other portals far behind with Q2 operating results

Aug 10, 2013, 09:30 am

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Naver records 194.2 billion Won in operating earnings boosted thanks to its 'LINE' messenger and mobile search ads.



On August 7, Cha Han-Young, the executive director of The Korea Usedcar Dealer's Association attended 'Small Business Naver damage case briefing session' held at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business to demonstrate a performance.

Naver, the portal at the center of 'internet ecosystem destruction' controversy, reached the highest figures in the second quarter, leaving other portals far behind. Its rival Daum saw big drops in operating profits.

According to the Financial Supervisory Service Electronic Disclosure System, NHN (Naver) reached the highest figures ever in Q2 thanks to its mobile search ads and messenger 'LINE' in international markets.

NHN recorded 722.6 billion Won in profits, 194.2 billion Won in operating earnings. Compared to Q2 2012, this is a 26.3 percent increase in profits, and 19.6 percent increase in operating earnings.

Despite its 'expensive ad' controversy, its search ad increased by 10.4 percent thanks to growth in mobile search ads. Naver saw increases in revenue thanks to growth of mobile fields. As LINE exceeded 200 million users worldwide, its revenue accounted for 15 % of the total revenue in Q2. Currently, internet companies are attempting to switch into mobile business from the traditional PC business. It seems that Naver successfully switched its business field for global markets.

Thanks to expansion of new users worldwide and strengthened service, LINE revenues increased by 2258.9 percent compared to Q2 2012 and 62.5 percent compared to Q1 2013, recording 111.9 billion Won.

Kim Sang-Hun, the CEO of Naver, said, "Recently, LINE users are rapidly increased mainly from Brazil, and Mexico. It the trend continues, nearly 300 million users can be expected by the end of the year. LINE is expected to reach 400 billion Won in profits later this year. We plan to focus on expanding users rather than making money."

Copyright by Asiatoday