Samsung Electronics Profit View Widely Misses Estimates On Huge Bonus Payout

[Ron Burgundy]

By Miyoung Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics earned less than even the most conservative analyst forecast in October-December after handing out an estimated $1 billion in bonuses to mark 20 years since its chairman set it on the road to becoming a global behemoth. Fourth-quarter operating profit was likely 8.3 trillion won ($7.79 billion), down 6 percent on year and 18 percent from a record third quarter, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said on Tuesday before a final reading on January 24. Samsung shares traded unchanged at 1.307 million won after the announcement, versus a 0.3 percent gain in the wider market. "Samsung's special incentive payments to employees including domestic and overseas units appear to have been much larger than the market expected;

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