Samsung is predicting that its operating profit and revenues both fell by almost 40 percent in the final quarter of 2014, compared with the same period last year.

This would represent a fifth consecutive quarter of declines for the firm. The company has a broad range of interests across the electronics market - its once booming mobile division is now struggling. 

Apple's iPhone 6 models have eroded the company's share of the top-end of the market. Sales of Samsung's flagship Galaxy s5 have been poor - Wall St Journal reports that sales were 40 percent below what the company had expected.

Although it is still makes more smartphones than any other manufacturer - a new wave of companies are eating into its market share. This is particularly true in China where companies like Xiaomi have gained popularity by offering cheap and attractive mid-spec phones.

Samsung has already said that it will reconfigure its mobile operations - switching its focus to making more affordable models.

Although the these figures are poor - some analysts were expecting worse. The company's semiconductor section performed well during the quarter.

Increased competition in the consumer electronics market has tightened margins - the company is expected to rely more on the manufacturing of products like memory units and processors - these areas offer higher profits.

That said - the company has had a vibrant presence at CES in Las Vegas this week. It revealed new curved 4K televisions, and a hi-tech washing machine with a built-in sink...