Kia Reports 5.8% Operating Profit Margin, Citing External Factors Impacting Profitability

Kia officials stated during a conference call on October 30 that the company achieved an operating profit margin of 5.8%. They estimated that external factors impacted profitability by approximately 3.6 percentage points, with disruptions in sales in the Middle East contributing 0.7 percentage points, raw material costs accounting for 1.2 percentage points, and exchange rate fluctuations affecting 1.7 percentage points.
 
They expressed optimism about returning to normal profitability next year, citing that the core profitability has not been significantly harmed. They noted, "The biggest reason we believe we will return to normal profitability next year is that our profitability has not been severely compromised. External factors are the primary pressure on current profitability, and considering this, we intend to maintain our existing outlook for next year's profitability."