What it is
A holding company controls subsidiaries by owning their shares rather than selling products itself. Many carry "Holdings" in the name, though not all do. Its income is mostly dividends from subsidiaries plus brand royalties and rent.
Reading the numbers carefully
On a separate basis a holding company can show small revenue with an operating margin in the hundreds of percent, because equity-method gains dominate. Headcount is small too, which distorts average pay. This site therefore drops margins outside ±300% from industry medians and excludes companies with fewer than 300 staff from the pay ranking.
Spin-offs come with it
Korean groups reorganise using a horizontal spin-off (인적분할), which splits an operating company from a holding company, or a vertical spin-off (물적분할), which turns a division into a wholly owned subsidiary. Both bring trading suspensions, relisting and share-count changes, so the filing calendar matters.
Where to check it
The company profile and the business section of periodic reports say whether a company is a holding company. Splits and mergers are filed as material disclosures, which this site groups together.
This explanation is general information, not investment advice. Rules reflect September 2026 and may change; check official exchange and broker notices.