South Korean manufacturer Samsung has released an early estimate for its January-March operating quarter. The company expects its operating profit to reach 8.7 trillion won ($7.7 billion), beating the average analyst forecast of 8.3 trillion won. ($7.38 billion) Sales increased to 52 trillion ($46.2 billion) won up from 45.27 trillion won ($40.2 billion)in 2012. If accurate, the figure breaks Samsung's streak of five consecutive record profits by revenue.
