DB Financial Investment reported a sharp rise in first-half earnings as a buoyant stock market boosted wealth management and its proprietary investment business expanded, offsetting weaker profitability in bonds as interest rates rose. Consolidated net profit for the first half reached 70.8 billion won, up 49.4% from a year earlier, while operating profit increased 36.8% to 77.7 billion won. The earnings recovery that started in the first quarter strengthened further in the second quarter, and the company also reported improved financial soundness after accumulated earnings and capital expansion pushed its standalone equity above 1 trillion won for the first time since inception. The brokerage said it expects market conditions to remain more favorable than in the second half, when the stock market could weaken, but aims to maintain stable growth by reinforcing core businesses and expanding PI (proprietary investment, using a firm's own capital) performance.