Listed firms' debt repayment ability improves in H1 in Korea

South Korean listed firms saw their ability to repay their short-term liabilities improve slightly in the first half of 2013 from six months earlier, data showed Thursday. The average current ratio of 578 of 695 firms listed on the Seoul main bourse came to 120.38 percent at end-June this year, up 1.42 percentage points from end-December 2012, according to the data by the Korea Exchange (KRX). The current ratio, which is current assets divided by current liabilities, is a quick indicator of how well a firm can repay its short-term liabilities. A higher reading indicates better capability to pay off short-term debts. The improvement came as an increase in short-term assets outpaced the rise in short-term liabilities. Samyoung Holdings Co., a local computer solution provider, topped the list with the current ratio of 4,433.15 percent at end-June, trailed by Transdermal Asia Holdings Co. with 3,396.44 percent and Teems Inc. with 1,790.55 percent.