Samsung Electronics Co. saw its presence weaken in the South Korean stock market through October this year, data showed Tuesday, amid falling profits from its mainstay handset business.

The smartphone-maker’s portion against the total value of the country’s main stock market fell 1.49 percentage points to 15.55 percent in the first 10 months of the year, according to the data compiled by the Korea Exchange, the local bourse operator.

Although the tech firm managed to maintain its position as the country’s top market cap, the figure dropped more than 10 percent over the cited period to 181.91 trillion won ($168.49 billion).

Samsung Electronics’ third-quarter profit fell to its lowest in three years, amid increasing pressure from its rival Apple Inc. as well as smaller but up-and-coming Chinese competitors.

Auto companies, which have been suffering from reduced overseas shipments as a result of the strong won, also saw their market caps fall, with that of No. 1 automaker Hyundai Motor Co. surrendering 1.38 percentage points to stand at 3.01 percent over the cited period.

The market caps of Kia Motors Corp. and Hyundai Mobis Co., both affiliates of the leading carmaker, were also undercut. Kia’s rank in terms of its market cap ratio slid eighth to 12th place, while that of Hyundai Mobis dropped five slots to end at eighth. (Yonhap)