in South Korea is making a big dent on local companies, in particular domestic-focused players, with their second-quarter earnings estimates drastically cut, data showed Thursday.

The operating income estimate for 224 listed firms inched down 0.4 percent as of Thursday compared to May 20, when the first case of MERS was reported in Asia's fourth-largest economy, according to data compiled by the corporate researcher FnGuide.

Among 101 companies whose profits mostly rely on domestic consumption such as food, staples and clothing, half were forecast to post lower-than-expected earnings in the April-June period, the data showed.

Cosmetic firms were hit hardest by a dramatic fall in Chinese travelers, avid consumers of Korean beauty products, over the past month.

The operating income estimate for Able C&C Co., a mid-end cosmetics company, dropped 32 percent to 1.5 billion won ($1.34 million) in the second quarter, following a deficit in the previous quarter.

CJ CGV Co., the nation's biggest theater franchise, and Mode Tour Co., the No. 2 tour agency, each saw their earnings forecast to decrease 1.2 percent and 2.6 percent.

The estimates for Maeil Dairies Co., a major dairy firm, and Nongshim Co., a food and beverage maker, also declined 8.8 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively.

Analysts also projected reduced earnings for commercial banks whose net interest margin slid following two interest rate cuts in February and June. (Yonhap)