Shares of Hybe, the company behind South Korean supergroup BTS, surged 10% on Friday as investors welcomed upbeat third-quarter earnings outlook fueled by its artists’ global concerts. Brokerage iM Securities expects quarterly revenue of 1.5 trillion won ($1.11 billion), up 106% year-on-year, and an operating profit of 172.2 billion won, with concert revenue projected at 717 billion won, nearly tripling from a year earlier. BTS’ world tour featured 16 stadium shows in North America and 8 in Europe during the quarter, alongside tours by newer acts Enhypen, Katseye and Cortis, driving attendance to nearly 3 million, potentially a quarterly record. For the first time, Western markets accounted for more than 70% of total concert attendance, reflecting the label’s expanding international reach. iM Securities said the profitability of newer bands such as Katseye and Cortis will be key to reducing Hybe’s reliance on BTS, while stronger-than-expected demand for additional BTS concerts in Japan and the Middle East could lead to upward revisions to 2027 forecasts.
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