The negative effect of the Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome on Korean companies is expected to hit home in the third quarter of this year, data suggested Monday.

According to financial investors and market data company WISEfn, the combined operating profit of 117 listed firms for the third quarter is expected to be 28.9 trillion won.

That would be a 6.36 percent decrease from the 30.9 trillion won estimated on May 30, at the beginning of the MERS outbreak.

The hotel and leisure industry estimated a 12.42 percent decrease compared to its outlook at the end of May.

The outlook for the transportation industry fell by 18.56 percent.

Meanwhile, the health industry’s outlook increased by 5.36 percent as people sought health foods amid the disease outbreak.