[THE INVESTOR] More companies raised cash through secondary offerings during the first half of this year than a year earlier, industry data showed on July 26.

According to the Korea Securities Depository, 161 companies raised more than 5.48 trillion won (US$4.83 billion) during the first six months of the year. Compared to the same period last year, the number of companies taking such action increased 34.2 percent, while the amount raised saw a 16.1 percent increase. The number of new shares, however, was 13.4 percent lower this year, tallying in at 1.257 billion shares. 



By company, Samsung Engineering raised the largest amount at over 1.26 trillion won, followed by Kakao, which raised 754 billion won.

While secondary offerings increased, the number of companies that issued bonus shares came to 28, falling 20 percent from a year ago.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)