Korea’s export value index rose for the fifth consecutive month in February thanks to a recovery of the semiconductor industry. Export value is the current value of exports converted to U.S. dollars and expressed as a percentage of the average of the base period (2000). Semiconductor exports are sho
Despite a sluggish construction industry, corporate sentiment in the economy has rebounded slightly for the first time in three months, attributed to the recovery in semiconductor exports.According to the survey results of the Business Survey Index (BSI) and Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) for March
Last year, the amount spent in Korea through mobile devices such as smartphones and smartwatches exceeded that spent through physical cards for the first time. Thanks to the expansion of mobile payments, the average daily card usage surpassed 3 trillion won (approximately US$2.23 billion).According
For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) is preparing to establish its first overseas office in Poland, marking its initial foray into the country. The recent amendment to the Export-Import Bank of Korea Act has created the opportu
The Carlyle Group, a global private equity fund management firm, is stepping in as a facilitator for the overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&A) of domestically prominent defense companies with a stature that is growing worldwide.According to industry and investment banking (IB) sources on March 24,
According to sources from the battery and investment banking (IB) industries on March 24, it has been confirmed that SK on is in the final stages of securing US$1.1 billion in funding.Firstly, SK on secured a US$400 million loan through Shinhan Bank last month, which was then transferred to its U.S.
KEB Hana Bank is achieving robust performance through equity investments in Vietnam and China. Instead of securing local corporate licenses, the bank’s decision to opt for minority stake acquisitions has proven successful. KEB Hana Bank is further expanding its collaborations with invested banks to
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
Thanks to the booming export of Hallyu content such as dramas, movies, and webtoons, South Korea’s trade balance in intellectual property rights achieved its largest annual surplus in history last year.According to statistics released by the Bank of Korea (BOK) on March 20, the provisional trade bal
It has been reported that a Korean strategic investor (SI) is considering acquiring Callaway, one of the world’s top three golf brands.According to investment banking (IB) industry sources on March 19, major shareholders such as BlackRock Advisors LLC have selected a sales manager and are pushing fo
As the Bank of Japan (BOJ) has embarked on its first interest rate hike in 17 years, it is anticipated that the strengthening of the yen due to the lifting of Japan’s negative interest rates could have a positive impact on domestic exports such as semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding. Howev
Samsung C&T has sold the rights to a solar power project of 200 megawatts (MW) to Hanwha Solutions. The sale comes after all preparatory work for the construction of the solar power plant was completed, suggesting that Samsung C&T disposed of the project to recover its investment.According to the in
The National Pension Service (NPS) has come out against the reappointment of Cho Won-tae, president and chairman of Korean Air, as an inside director, sparking interest in the reasons behind the move.According to the aviation industry on March 17, the NPS’s Fund Management Committee is expected to v
Shinhan Bank announced on March 14 that Shinhan Bank Indonesia has signed a strategic business agreement with Indonesian electronic payment company Indodana (PT Artha Dana Teknologi Indodana) to expand its digital platform-based lending market.Indodana is a digital payment solutions provider that ha
To strengthen its global operations, Shinhan Bank is accelerating the development and marketing of products targeting local customers, including the launch of digital loan products overseas.According to Shinhan Bank on March 12, Shinhan Bank Indonesia is partnering with local fintech platform compan
After a period of downturn due to economic slowdown and weak demand for IT devices, the display industry is on the verge of a significant rebound. The surge in demand for Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED)-based displays for laptops and tablets, driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, is a
Incheon Metropolitan City and Shinhan Bank announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Incheon City Hall meeting room on March 11 to secure the hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea in 2025.At the signing ceremony, Mayor of Inche
South Korea’s current account remained in surplus for the ninth consecutive month thanks to strong semiconductor and automobile exports.According to provisional statistics on the balance of payments released by the Bank of Korea (BOK) on March 8, the nation’s current account surplus stood at US$3.05
KB Financial Group has achieved the top position among domestic financial institution brands in the “Banking 500,” announced by the prestigious brand evaluation institution “Brand Finance” based in the U.K.Brand Finance evaluates brand value annually by comprehensively considering financial performa
The author is an analyist for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at junsup@nhqv.com -- Ed.HGI’s 2023 dividend announcement fell somewhat short of market expectations. However, if sufficient profits available for dividend are secured through system improvements, an expansion of shareholder