With the KOSPI opening the 5,000 era for the first time, major South Korean brokerages also posted record results. As the stock market rallied, the number of brokerages joining the "1 trillion won net profit club" increased to 5.

Korea Investment & Securities delivered the most eye-catching results. It posted 2.01 trillion won in net profit for 2025 to retain the industry top spot. The figure jumped 79.9 percent from a year earlier, making it the first local brokerage to enter the "2 trillion won net profit club."

Mirae Asset Securities also set a record. Its 2025 net profit rose 72.9 percent from a year earlier to 1.59 trillion won. Commission income from brokerage trading hit an all-time high of 1.01 trillion won, and overseas stock commission income also increased 57 percent to 443.4 billion won, driving the results.

Kiwoom Securities ranked third on the back of retail investors. It posted 1.12 trillion won in net profit, up 33.5 percent from a year earlier. An analysis said Kiwoom, strong in retail, benefited as a liquidity-driven market continued, with average daily trading value exceeding 34 trillion won.

NH Investment & Securities and Samsung Securities also joined the "1 trillion won club." NH Investment & Securities posted 1.03 trillion won in net profit, up 50.2 percent from a year earlier. Gains in its brokerage business stood out, with fourth-quarter commission income from brokerage trading surging 97.9 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Samsung Securities ranked fifth with 1.01 trillion won in net profit, up 12.2 percent from a year earlier. This brought the number of brokerages with more than 1 trillion won in net profit in 2025 to 5.

Gains by small and mid-sized firms also stood out.

Shinhan Investment posted the highest growth rate, with net profit surging 112.9 percent from a year earlier to 381.6 billion won. Toss Securities also posted 234.9 billion won in net profit on a cumulative basis through the third quarter, up 79.0 percent from a year earlier, showing the strength of its digital platform.

Hana Securities, in contrast, posted 206.0 billion won, down 8.5 percent from a year earlier.

The KOSPI's 5,000 era underpinned the brokerages' strong results.

As the index rose, stock trading became more active, driving a sharp increase in brokerage commission income. The value of assets held by brokerages also rose, significantly improving proprietary investment income. In Mirae Asset Securities' case, it also posted 645.0 billion won in valuation profit and loss in 2025 from fair value evaluation of proprietary investment assets.

On the back of the strong results, shareholder return policies are also being strengthened.

Kiwoom Securities set dividends per share at 11,500 won, posting a dividend yield of 4.0 percent. Samsung Securities also set DPS at 4,000 won as it moved to enhance shareholder value. NH Investment & Securities maintained a top-tier level in the industry with a total shareholder return ratio of about 52 percent. Daishin Securities announced a plan to cancel treasury shares worth about 488.6 billion won, or 26 percent of its market capitalisation.

A financial investment industry official said, "In 2026 as well, the stock market rally is expected to continue due to the KOSPI settling at the 5,000 level and the impact of corporate value-up programmes." The official added, "If the expansion of brokerage income from higher trading value is joined by a recovery in the investment banking business, brokerages' performance rally is likely to continue for some time."