Taiwanese Securities Firms Report Record-Breaking NT$117.5 Billion Profit in First 5 Months of 2024

According to the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE), the total after-tax net profit of all securities firms reached NT$117.518 billion for the first five months of 2024, marking a 4.34-fold increase compared to the same period last year. This five-month performance officially exceeds the full-year historical record of NT$110.254 billion set in 2023.

The profit surge is attributed to significant growth in brokerage commissions, as total market trading volume expanded. Brokerage operations generated NT$82.229 billion, a 147.8% year-on-year increase. Proprietary trading also turned a profit, reaching NT$504.41 billion, a reversal from the small loss recorded during the same period last year. Underwriting operations similarly saw substantial growth, with net profits reaching NT$12.658 billion, up 6.09 times year-on-year.

In May alone, the industry recorded an after-tax net profit of NT$32.576 billion, an 11.18% decrease from the historical peak seen in April. While May's total market trading volume increased by 37.6% to NT$26.335 trillion, boosting brokerage income, the high-volatility environment led to a 42.98% month-on-month decline in proprietary trading profits and a 20.69% dip in underwriting gains.