A triple-digit surge in the pretax profits of personal computer makers and telecommunication companies more than offset a steep decline in other sectors as the combined figure jumped 41.8 percent in the October-December quarter.
It was the biggest year-on-year jump in 20 years and the fourth consecutive quarterly increase, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.
Although combined sales rose a comparably negligible 2.2 percent, they nevertheless marked their first year-on-year increase in 2 1/2 years, according to the ministry's quarterly survey.