An analysis by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) suggests that the average person ingests as many as 5 grams of microplastics weekly – that’s the equivalent of eating a whole credit card. While the exact effects of plastics on human health are still relatively unknown, the World Health Organization (WHO
The 17-year trend of Japan’s persistent negative interest rates has come to an end, yet the market’s response remains tepid. This is attributed to assessments indicating difficulty in perceiving a full-fledged tightening. However, there are prospects suggesting that the yen may strengthen from the s
Taiwan’s stock market has reached an all-time high, propelled by the surge in Taiwanese technology stocks, including TSMC, amid the global semiconductor boom. The narrowing gap in market capitalization with the domestic stock market has narrowed to approximately US$4 billion.According to the Taiwan
Samsung Display and LG Display, the two major Korean display makers, have begun the second round of their battle in the display market. Unlike LG Display, which makes large-sized panels, Samsung Display makes smash hits focused on small and medium-sized panels. LG Display is trying to reverse its fo
A huge wave that began with Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress is now on the horizon, making it to more difficult to predict the future of the Korean e-commerce market.While Korean e-commerce players are competing fiercely for survival, the United States, China, and other Asian countries have jo
The Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea (BOK) has decided to maintain the key interest rate at the existing level of 3.50 percent. Despite the domestic inflation rate falling to the 2 percent range, it is deemed difficult to consider it as having reached a stable level, especially considering
Executives and experts from domestic e-commerce companies such as Coupang are collaborating to develop strategies in response to the aggressive expansion efforts of Chinese e-commerce platforms including AliExpress and Temu.According to industry sources on Feb. 14, the Ministry of Trade, Industry an
Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp. are looking to ramp up their market shares by introducing more than five new electric vehicle models this year. The electric vehicle market, which grew rapidly, has slowed down somewhat, but the two automakers are expediting their electrification transition with the new m
On Feb. 8, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) unveiled its agenda for the year, intending to elevate the criteria for designating business conglomerates subject to disclosure. Criticism has been directed at the regulations governing the disclosure of business groups as they are unique to South Korea. T
Despite a slowdown in the growth of electric vehicles, it was revealed that the usage of electric vehicle batteries increased by 38.6 percent last year compared a year earlier. Chinese companies CATL and BYD jointly secured the top two positions in the global market. The market share of South Korea’
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. She can be reached at hpark@shinhan.com -- Ed.4Q23 OP falls short due to inventory adjustments at distributorsAmorepacific posted consolidated operating profit of KRW20.7bn (-64% YoY) on sales of KRW926bn (-15% YoY) for 4Q23, missing our estimate (KRW
Japan’s Sony Group has surpassed Samsung Electronics in operating profit for the first time in 24 years. Just 14 years ago, the combined operating profit of nine major Japanese electronics companies did not even reach half of Samsung Electronics’. With Sony’s strong performance last year, however, i
South Korea’s foothold in the Chinese market is narrowing while its dependency on imports from China is growing. The relationship that used to yield the most trade surplus for South Korea with China seems to have reversed.According to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) on Jan. 28, Chin
NEOPIN, a decentralized crypto banking service, announced today that it has signed a strategic business agreement (MOU) with Catalyze Research (Catalyze), a web3 and blockchain consulting firm, and Futureverse, a metaverse, artificial intelligence (AI), and infrastructure development company, to exp
South Korea recorded a trade deficit of US$9.97 billion last year, marking the second consecutive year of deficit since 2022. However, the trade deficit in the past year contracted compared to 2022 when it was US$47.78 billion, primarily due to the recovery in exports in the latter half of the year.
South Korea’s growing imports of secondary battery materials and intermediate goods from China were blamed for South Korea’s trade balance with China which is expected to post its first deficit in 31 years.According to the Bank of Korea (BOK) on Dec. 20, South Korea’s trade balance with China posted
The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) of Korea has decided to promote the enactment of a platform competition promotion act, which will designate large platforms that dominate the market as market dominators and prohibit them from engaging in unfair competition practices such as getting preferential treat
More than half of the 82 major conglomerates surveyed have holding companies, with 38 groups transitioning to a “holding company system.” The average ownership stake in holding companies held by conglomerate owners and their families has slightly decreased compared to the previous year.According to
Last month, foreign investment funds in domestic stocks and bonds reversed into net inflows for the first time in four months.According to a report titled “Trends in International Finance and Foreign Exchange Markets Since November” released by the Bank of Korea on Dec. 12, foreign securities invest
Following Netmarble’s block deal in which there was after-hours bulk trade, HYBE has seen a diversification in its ownership structure due to an influx of foreign investment. This has resulted in a more stabilized corporate framework for the company.According to recent data from the Korea Exchange (