Samsung expected to post record profit in 2nd quarter
By Kim Yoo-chul Staff Reporter Samsung Electronics is set to extend its streak of record-breaking profits in the second quarter thanks to increasing demand powered by the global economic recovery. This robust outlook is pushing Samsung, the world's biggest technology company by revenue, to expand its spending on key facilities from memory chips to flat-screens. The only hurdle is the iPhone fever that is denting the world's second largest mobile phone maker. The optimistic outlook came after Samsung reported that its net profit for the first quarter jumped almost sevenfold after rebounding demand for PCs drove up chip prices. Net profit was 3.99 trillion won, up from 582.2 billion won a year earlier. Sales increased 21 percent to 34.64 trillion won. Operating profit or sales minus the cost of goods sold and administrative expenses was 4.41 trillion won, up from 593 billion won, the company said in a regulatory filing with the Korea Exchange (KRX). "Samsung is cautiously optimistic that second-quarter earnings will improve from the first quarter. As for the second