Profitability among South Korean manufacturers improved in the third quarter thanks to brisk export of semiconductors in contrast to lower profitability among nonmanufacturers, central bank data showed Thursday.

The ratio of operating profit to revenue among manufacturers stood at 9.7 percent in the July-September quarter, the highest since the relevant data began to be compiled in 2015, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).

The ratio continued to rise from 7.5 percent in the fourth quarter of last year to 8.8 percent in the first quarter and 9.5 percent in the second quarter.

Strong chip export led to the enhanced profitability. The ratio among machinery and electronic companies, including chipmakers, soared to 18.3 percent in the third quarter.

However, the profitability ratio among nonmanufacturers declined to 4.4 percent in the September quarter from 5.1 percent a year earlier.

Among manufacturers, the ratio for the transport equipment sector, such as carmakers and shipbuilders, came in at 0.8 percent in the third quarter, managing to stay in the positive terrain.

The result was based on a survey of 3,333 local companies with at least 12 billion won (10.7 million U.S. dollars) in assets, which are subject to external audit.