Samsung Electronics has estimated its operating profits for the fourth quarter of 2013 at about KRW8.3 trillion (US$7.8 billion), down 18% from the the prior quarter.

　　Consolidated sales for the fourth quarter are set to stay flat on quarter at KRW59 trillion, Samsung disclosed.

　　The forecast operating profits represent a 6.1% decrease compared to the KRW8.84 trillion reported for the fourth quarter of 2012, while sales are expected to register on-year growth of 5.2% during the same period.

　　Samsung reported a record KRW10.16 trillion in operating profits for the third quarter of 2013, buoyed by rising prices for memory chips as well as sales of mass-market smartphones in emerging markets.