It's digital media division, which includes PCs, televisions and other consumer electronics, returned to operating profitability from a loss in the third quarter of last year. Flat-panel TV shipments jumped 24 percent year-on-year

Samsung said it would push forward with plans to build more advanced semiconductor production lines and will bring forward some spending planned for next year to this year. Total capital expenditure this year will be around 7 trillion won of which 4 trillion won will be on semiconductors and 2 trillion won on LCDs.

Next year it plans to invest even more. While noting capital expenditure plans to 2010 have not been fixed Samsung said it will spend around 5.5 trillion on semiconductors and 3 trillion won on LCD.

Looking ahead, the company expects a good 2010.

"We expect the global economy recovery to drive growth for most products," said Robert Yi, vice president of Samsung's investor relations department. PC demand is expected to see close to double-digit growth, LCD close to 20 percent growth and cell phone handset growth in double digits.