Samsung CEO quits in shock move after profits soar to record

The company's main products - DRAM and NAND memory chips used in smartphones - have also seen an increase in shipments and prices.

Rising sales of its flagship Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 smartphones were also believed to have bolstered the profitability of the mobile division, analysts said.

Yonhap Infomax data, based on research from 21 securities firms, also showed Samsung is expected to post an operating profit of 16 trillion won in the fourth quarter, up 74 per cent from a year earlier.

Doh Hyun-woo, analyst at Mirae Asset Daewoo Securities, said in a report that the release of new models, including Apple's iPhone X, could weigh on Samsung's mobile sales, but will also help its smartphone parts business.

The consumer electronics division will also benefit from strong seasonal demand, he added.

Analysts said the company was likely to post another all-time high quarterly operating profit of somewhere between 15 and 17 trillion won in the October-December period as IT/mobile business is expected to contribute greater earnings as well.

Shares in Samsung Electronics closed 1.46 per cent down Friday on heavy profit-taking. - AFP