Samsung Electronics began the earnings season by announcing its third quarter provisional operating income of 7.3 trillion won (US$6.3 billion), much greater than predicted. The South Korean giant estimates that its operating profit for the July-September quarter was 7.3 trillion won ($6.3 billion). Sales rose 7 percent to 51 trillion won ($43.9 billion) for the quarter.

Analysts said Samsung's solid result in the last quarter was because of stronger sales in mobile displays and chips while the weak Korean won against the U.S. dollar boosted the value of its earnings overseas.

Samsung will announce its overall net profit and earnings for each of its business divisions later this month.