Kepco climbs on the Forbes Global 2000 list

Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) for the first time has jumped into the top 100 in the Forbes Global 2000, an annual ranking of the world’s largest public companies.

Kepco climbed from 171 last year to 97 this year, and it was named best company in the electric utility sector, according to Forbes on Wednesday. This was the first time an Asian power company has taken the No. 1 spot.

The company’s net profit reached 10.2 trillion won ($8.63 billion) as of last year and its price per share rose to the 60,000-won level from 20,000 won in 2012. Kepco also said it lowered its debt ratio from 135.8 percent in 2013 to 99.9 percent last year.

The Forbes 2000 ranking is based on revenue, profits, assets and market value.

“We believe that Forbes thought highly of our projects in 21 countries including those operating in Japan and United Arab Emirates,” said Joo Yoon-jung, a manager at Kepco, in a press release.

Samsung Electronics was ranked 18 on this year’s list, and was the only other Korean company listed in the top 100.

BY KIM YOUNG-NAM [kim.youngnam@joongang.co.kr]