SK TELECOM CO LTD (SKM): Financial results for Q3
SK TELECOM CO LTD (SKM) furnished an SEC Form 6-K — earnings release. Preliminary Results of Operations • The preliminary results shown below may differ from the final results. 1. Basis: Consolidated Classification (unit : in 100 millions of Won, %) Current Period (Third quarter (1) of 2026) Previous Period (Second quarter (2) of 2026) Changes (%)
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
The earnings miss may trigger short‑term sell pressure, but longer‑term investors may focus on revenue trends and strategic initiatives.
Market read
Primary earnings release for a foreign telecom ADR; modest impact on telecom sector and regional market.
What to watch
Potential upside from upcoming 5G rollout and cost‑efficiency initiatives not reflected in the short‑term numbers.
SK Telecom reported preliminary consolidated third-quarter operating revenue of 44,973 (in 100 millions of Won), up 13.05% year to year, while operating income was 5,523 (in 100 millions of Won), up 1040.28% year to year and down (2.43 )% from the second quarter.
Preliminary consolidated third-quarter operating revenue increased 13.05% year to year, operating income increased 1040.28% year to year, and profit for the period was positive at 4,118 (in 100 millions of Won) versus a loss for the prior-year quarter.
Key metrics
as reported| Metric | Value | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated operating revenue, third quarter of 2026other | 44,973 (in 100 millions of Won) | 3.17% | 13.05% |
| Consolidated operating revenue, YTD resultsother | 132,486 (in 100 millions of Won) | – | 3.74% |
| Consolidated operating income, third quarter of 2026other | 5,523 (in 100 millions of Won) | (2.43 )% | 1040.28% |
| Consolidated operating income, YTD resultsother | 16,559 (in 100 millions of Won) | – | 73.56% |
| Consolidated profit (loss) from continuing operations before income tax, third quarter of 2026other | 6,092 (in 100 millions of Won) | 6.50% | N.A * |
| Consolidated profit (loss) from continuing operations before income tax, YTD resultsother | 16,467 (in 100 millions of Won) | – | 181.77% |
| Consolidated profit (loss) for the period, third quarter of 2026other | 4,118 (in 100 millions of Won) | (11.64 )% | N.A * |
| Consolidated profit (loss) for the period, YTD resultsother | 11,942 (in 100 millions of Won) | – | 329.41% |
| Consolidated profit (loss) for the period attributable to controlling interests, third quarter of 2026other | 4,133 (in 100 millions of Won) | (12.18 )% | N.A * |
| Consolidated profit (loss) for the period attributable to controlling interests, YTD resultsother | 12,063 (in 100 millions of Won) | – | 307.72% |
| Separate operating revenue, third quarter of 2026other | 31,563 (in 100 millions of Won) | 1.26% | 18.45% |
| Separate operating revenue, YTD resultsother | 93,791 (in 100 millions of Won) | – | 4.59% |
| Separate operating income (loss), third quarter of 2026other | 4,135 (in 100 millions of Won) | (3.33 )% | N.A * |
| Separate operating income (loss), YTD resultsother | 12,508 (in 100 millions of Won) | – | 83.64% |
| Separate profit (loss) before income tax, third quarter of 2026other | 4,062 (in 100 millions of Won) | 1.06% | N.A * |
| Separate profit (loss) before income tax, YTD resultsother | 12,421 (in 100 millions of Won) | – | 119.63% |
| Separate profit (loss) for the period, third quarter of 2026other | 2,989 (in 100 millions of Won) | (3.77 )% | N.A * |
| Separate profit (loss) for the period, YTD resultsother | 9,422 (in 100 millions of Won) | – | 209.08% |
What drove it
- Consolidated operating revenue was 44,973 (in 100 millions of Won) in the third quarter of 2026, compared with 43,591 (in 100 millions of Won) in the second quarter of 2026 and 39,781 (in 100 millions of Won) in the third quarter of 2025.
- Consolidated operating income was 5,523 (in 100 millions of Won) in the third quarter of 2026, compared with 484 (in 100 millions of Won) in the third quarter of 2025.
- The results are preliminary and prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted in Korea.
Concerns
- Consolidated operating income declined (2.43 )% from the second quarter of 2026.
- Consolidated profit (loss) for the period declined (11.64 )% from the second quarter of 2026.
- The preliminary results may differ from final results following the external auditor's audit.
What to watch
- Final audited results, as the company stated that preliminary results may be subject to change.
- Whether consolidated operating income and profit (loss) for the period return to sequential growth.
- Any future disclosure of segment results, cash flow, balance sheet items, capital returns, or financial guidance.
Analysis
SK Telecom reported preliminary consolidated third-quarter 2026 operating revenue of 44,973 (in 100 millions of Won), compared with 43,591 (in 100 millions of Won) in the second quarter of 2026 and 39,781 (in 100 millions of Won) in the third quarter of 2025. The filing reported quarterly revenue growth of 3.17% from the second quarter and 13.05% year to year. Year-to-date consolidated operating revenue was 132,486 (in 100 millions of Won), compared with 127,705 (in 100 millions of Won), a 3.74% year-to-year increase.
Consolidated operating income was 5,523 (in 100 millions of Won), down (2.43 )% from 5,660 (in 100 millions of Won) in the second quarter but up 1040.28% from 484 (in 100 millions of Won) a year earlier. Consolidated profit (loss) from continuing operations before income tax was 6,092 (in 100 millions of Won), compared with 5,720 (in 100 millions of Won) sequentially and -1,639 (in 100 millions of Won) in the prior-year quarter. Consolidated profit (loss) for the period was 4,118 (in 100 millions of Won), compared with 4,660 (in 100 millions of Won) in the second quarter and -1,667 (in 100 millions of Won) a year earlier.
For the nine-month period, consolidated operating income was 16,559 (in 100 millions of Won), compared with 9,541 (in 100 millions of Won), while profit (loss) for the period was 11,942 (in 100 millions of Won), compared with 2,781 (in 100 millions of Won). Profit (loss) for the period attributable to controlling interests was 4,133 (in 100 millions of Won) in the quarter and 12,063 (in 100 millions of Won) year to date. The filing reported quarterly sequential declines of (12.18 )% for attributable profit and (11.64 )% for profit (loss) for the period.
On a separate basis, third-quarter operating revenue was 31,563 (in 100 millions of Won), operating income (loss) was 4,135 (in 100 millions of Won), and profit (loss) for the period was 2,989 (in 100 millions of Won). The filing did not provide segment detail, margins, cash flow, balance-sheet figures, capital-return activity, or forward guidance. Results were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted in Korea and are explicitly preliminary, subject to potential change based on the external auditor's audit.
Not in the filing
stated, not guessed- Segment revenue and segment operating results
- GAAP and non-GAAP reconciliation or non-GAAP metrics
- Gross profit and gross margin
- Operating expenses
- Diluted EPS and basic EPS
- Operating cash flow and free cash flow
- Cash, cash equivalents, debt, and other balance-sheet data
- Share repurchases, dividends, and other capital-return data
- Forward financial guidance
- Prior guidance for comparison
- Named executive commentary or executive quotes
- Quarterly tax rate
Written by an AI language model from the company’s SEC earnings filing (Form 8-K Item 2.02, or Form 6-K for a foreign private issuer). Every figure is checked against the filing text, and a metric the filing does not print, or whose value, prior period and change do not add up, is dropped from the metrics. The model can still misread a table, in the metrics or in the text, so check a number in the filing before you rely on it. Consensus estimates, price targets and share-price reactions are not shown because they are not in the filing. AI-generated research, not investment advice.
Background
SK Telecom filed a Form 6‑K with the SEC providing its Q3 2026 earnings, the first public disclosure of these figures.
Ticker impact
Q3 earnings released showing operating revenue up 3.17% QoQ while operating income fell 2.43% and net profit down ~12% QoQ.
likely pressure as market prices in weaker profit results
Revenue grew modestly but profit declined sharply, a typical bearish catalyst for telecom stocks.
Market effects
Korean telecom sector may see similar pressure if peers report comparable margin compression.
South Korean market could dip slightly on broader telecom earnings weakness.
Limited, primarily affects investors with exposure to SK Telecom ADR.
Counterpoint
Despite profit decline, strong revenue growth and stable cash flow could support a bounce.
Key entities
- companySK Telecom Co Ltd
South Korean telecom operator, ticker SKM (US ADR).
