SK hynix achieved unexpectedly strong performance in the first quarter, surpassing market expectations.The company announced on April 25 that it recorded 12.43 trillion won (US$9.04 billion) in sales and 2.89 trillion won in operating profits, representing a 23 percent operating profit margin, and 1
Hanwha Life Insurance has become the first domestic insurance company to venture into overseas banking.The company announced on April 24 that it will acquire a 40 percent stake in Nobu Bank held by Lippo Group, the sixth largest conglomerate in Indonesia. The process of equity investment will be fin
Korean shipbuilding stocks have been rallying as expectations grow that the Korean shipbuilding industry will enjoy reflective benefits from US sanctions against China.According to the Korea Exchange on April 23, Hanwha Ocean closed at 34,750 won (US$25.35), down 2550 won, or 7.92 percent, from Apri
Taiwan, a major hub for the world’s top semiconductor companies, has experienced a series of earthquakes, leading to temporary delays in semiconductor supply and potential price hikes.On April 23, the industry reported that over 50 aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 3.0 to 6.3, struck eastern Taiwa
Deutsche Bank has today announced it has been appointed by Euroclear Bank SA/NV as Cash Settlement and Foreign Exchange Bank (under Euroclear direct link) with the Korea Securities Depository (KSD). The mandate is to support South Korean government bond activity for Korea Treasury Bonds (KTBs) and M
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at youngryu@nhqv.com. -- Ed.Noise appearing here and there; market expectations being adjustedAfter ASML and TSMC announced weaker-than-expected 1Q24 results and negative market outlooks, tech firms have experienced overall s
The Korea Exchange announced that it will commence trading of KOSDAQ Global Index futures on April 22. The KOSDAQ Global Index consists of companies selected for the “KOSDAQ Global Segment” based on certain criteria among KOSDAQ-listed stocks.The launch of KOSDAQ Global Index futures was initiated t
Both Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, the two leading semiconductor giants in South Korea, closed lower. The decline was influenced by a simultaneous sharp drop in semiconductor stock prices, with Nvidia falling by 10 percent in the U.S. market.In the KOSPI market on April 22, Samsung Electronics c
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. He can be reached at ldh@sinhan.com -- Ed.1Q24 review: OP of engines surpasses construction equipmentHD Hyundai Infracore posted sales of KRW1.16tr (-10% YoY), operating profit of KRW92.8bn (-39% YoY), and operating margin of 8% (-3.8%p YoY) for 1Q24.
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. She can be reached at sunmi.kim@shinhan.com -- Ed.Strong top-line drives earnings surprise & annual forecast revisionHyundai Engineering & Construction posted sales of KRW8.5tr and operating profit of KRW250.9bn for 1Q24, beating consensus estimates b
It has been revealed that both individual investors and institutional investors in South Korea earned over 100 trillion won through overseas stock and fund investments last year.According to the international investment position report from the Bank of Korea on April 21, the balance of equity securi
Osstem Implant, the world’s leading dental implant company in sales, faced measures including the recommendation for dismissal of its CEO following embezzlement amounting to around 220 billion won. The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) under the Financial Services Commission resolved on such m
The collective net worth of Korea’s 50 Richest on the 2024 Forbes list rose slightly to US$115 billion from $106 billion, amid the country’s global chipmaking ambitions. The complete list can be found at www.forbes.com/korea, as well as in the April/May issue of Forbes Asia and the May issue of Forb
Amid the surge in the Korean won against the U.S. dollar, reaching close to 1,400 won, dividends from listed companies, often heavily held by foreign investors, are continuing to flow. During this period, foreign investors are set to receive dividends totaling over 6 trillion won. If foreign investo
Starting this year, the Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) agreements agreed upon by the heads of conglomerates and their family members will be subject to mandatory disclosure. Consequently, companies affiliated with major corporate groups are obligated to disclose the status of RSUs, not only for listed
A forecast suggests that SK hynix’s operating profit is expected to surge to around 2 trillion won, marking a turnaround to profitability compared to the same period last year, ahead of the earnings announcement scheduled for April 25.According to financial information provider FnGuide on April 16,
South Korean cosmetics companies such as LG Household & Health Care and AmorePacific are reducing their reliance on the Chinese market and aggressively increasing their market share in the United States.According to statistics from the Korea Customs Service on April 15, the export amount of Korean c
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at ys.jung@nhqv.com -- Ed.Basking in an absence of one-off issues in 1Q24, SHI’s shipbuilding volume and margins are expanding. Having already won 40% of its 2024 order target, the firm should see its full-year order intake r
SK hynix’s stock price is approaching 200,000 won and continues its rally to a new high, with foreign investors’ share reaching a record high.According to the Korea Exchange on April 13, foreign investors’ share of SK hynix as of the previous day stood at 54.90 percent, marking the highest level on
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. She can be reached at sunmi.kim@shinhan.com -- Ed.1Q24 OP to meet consensus in the absence of major one-offsSamsung E&A is expected to have registered sales of KRW2.5tr and operating profit of KRW197bn in 1Q24 in line with the market consensus. Sales