Reading time: 3 min
Asian corporations closed 2025 with a powerful earnings surge, led by South Korean financial giants and energy companies posting record profits despite mixed revenue performance across sectors.
Korean Financial Powerhouse Delivers
Hana Financial Group reported its strongest-ever annual profit of 4.0 trillion won ($2.8 billion) in 2025, marking a 7.1% increase from the previous year. The South Korean banking group announced an aggressive 400 billion won ($280 million) share buyback program, signaling management confidence in sustained performance. This milestone performance contributed to Korea’s big four financial groups collectively posting a record $12.3 billion profit as fee income surged across the sector.
POSCO International, the trade and energy subsidiary of POSCO Group, maintained its momentum with a record operating profit of 1.165 trillion won ($795 million), keeping profits above the 1 trillion won threshold for three consecutive years. The company’s strategic focus on energy, materials, and food sectors under Chairman Chang In-hwa’s leadership positioned it for continued growth, with annual investments exceeding 1.5 trillion won aimed at building comprehensive value chains.
Malaysian Energy Sector Shows Mixed Signals
Dayang Enterprise Holdings delivered a remarkable turnaround in Q4 2025, with net profit surging to 36.92 million ringgit from 16.81 million ringgit in the corresponding quarter. The 120% profit jump stemmed primarily from foreign exchange gains of 0.7 million ringgit, contrasting sharply with the 29.6 million ringgit loss recorded in Q4 2024. The ringgit’s stabilization against the dollar proved crucial for the Malaysian oil and gas services company.
However, revenue challenges persisted as Dayang’s quarterly revenue dropped to 211.13 million ringgit from 316.68 million ringgit, despite vessel utilization rates improving to 52% from 48%. The revenue decline reflected the absence of third-party vessel chartering activities. For the full year 2025, net profit fell to 206.15 million ringgit from 311.14 million ringgit, while revenue decreased to 938.07 million ringgit from 1.47 billion ringgit.
European Banks Join Profit Party
European financial institutions also contributed to the global earnings momentum. Commerzbank executives highlighted record profitability during their Q4 results call, with CEO Bettina Orlopp crediting the “momentum strategy” for delivering both growth and transformation. The German bank exceeded shareholder distribution plans and improved its 2026 outlook.
ABN AMRO posted a solid Q4 2025 net profit of 410 million euros, bringing its full-year return on equity to 8.7%. The Dutch bank’s performance reflected broader strength in European banking sectors, though specific details about revenue drivers remained limited in available disclosures.
Outlook: Sustained Growth Momentum Expected
Analysts project continued strength for Asian corporates entering 2026. Mirae Asset Securities expects POSCO International to maintain solid growth momentum, with the company positioning itself as a platform player through aggressive asset expansion and operational streamlining. Dayang enters 2026 with an approximate order book balance of 4.8 billion ringgit, actively working on three major maintenance, construction, and modification contracts.
The convergence of stabilizing currencies, strategic investments in energy transition, and robust fee income growth across financial services suggests Asian corporate earnings momentum may persist through 2026, despite traditional first-quarter seasonal softness in certain sectors.
Sources: Koreatimes, Thestar, Marketbeat, Globenewswire, Bangkok Post, Kedglobal
