Domestic companies raised approximately 6.3 trillion won through paid-in capital increases in the first half of this year.

The Korea Securities Depository announced today (the 29th) that the total issuance volume of paid-in capital increases by listed corporations in the first half stood at 6.2722 trillion won across 220 companies. While the number of companies increased from 218 in the same period last year, the total issuance value decreased by 24.5% from 8.3103 trillion won.

A paid-in capital increase is a measure to secure funds by issuing new shares. Compared to loans or bond issuances, its advantage is that capital can be raised quickly without interest burdens.

However, it can dilute existing shareholders' stakes and act as a downward factor for stock prices in listed companies.

By market, KOSDAQ-listed companies accounted for the highest number at 175, followed by Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI)-listed companies at 30, and KONEX-listed companies at 15.

By monetary value, KOSDAQ-listed companies raised the most at 3.7394 trillion won, followed by KOSPI at 2.4183 trillion won, and KONEX at 114.5 billion won.

Compared to the same period last year, only the KOSDAQ market saw an increase of 40%, while KOSPI and KONEX decreased by 55.5% and 43.9%, respectively.

The company with the largest scale of paid-in capital increase was SKC with 1.1671 trillion won, followed by NH Investment & Securities (400 billion won), K Bank (24.9 billion won), and Kakao Games (24 billion won).

Companies with the largest number of shares issued through paid-in capital increases were EDGC (389.8 million shares), Organic Tea Cosmetic Holdings (138 million shares), and Codaco (97.33 million shares), in that order.

Issuances of gratis capital increases in the first half increased by approximately 11%.


In the first half of this year, 28 companies issued 336.76 million shares, representing a 16.7% increase in the number of companies and a 10.5% increase in the number of shares compared to the same period last year.

A gratis capital increase involves a company converting its surplus funds into capital and distributing new shares to shareholders without charge. Unlike a paid-in capital increase, it does not involve the inflow of external funds.

For shareholders, it has the effect of increasing the number of shares they hold.

By market, 24 KOSDAQ-listed companies and 4 KOSPI-listed companies made issuances, showing a 41.2% increase and a 42.9% decrease compared to the same period last year, respectively.

Looking at the number of shares, 274.42 million shares were issued on the KOSDAQ, up 14.7% from the same period last year, while 62.34 million shares were issued on the KOSPI, down 5.0%.

Companies with the highest number of shares issued through gratis capital increases were Lunit (37.19 million shares), Seers Technology (25.37 million shares), and Pond Group (25.23 million shares), in that order.

(Photo: Provided by Korea Securities Depository, Yonhap News)