Korean industry is experiencing the phenomenon of an exit from China and sluggish exports. While it is positive for corporate Korea to diversify export destinations, it is negative for it to post a drop in exports. Even amid a U.S.-China conflict, voices are being raised to call for attempts to prom
The number of YouTube users is rapidly closing in on Kakao. If the current trend continues, it appears that YouTube will surpass Kakao in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, as Google expands its influence in search, local portal Naver is witnessing a reduction in its footprint.According to the
As of the end of last month, South Korea's foreign exchange reserves amounted to US$420.98 billion, the lowest in six months since November last year. The increase in foreign exchange reserves has been limited since the second half of last year, coupled with the strengthening of the U.S. dollar
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at pk.park@nhqv.com -- Ed.Having endured a shrinking in their Kospi portion, the top-5 healthcare groups should enjoy a sharp top-line uptrend from 2024. Their combined annual sales are primed to reach W23.5tn in 2028 (5yr CA
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. He can be reached at jinmyung.lee93@shinhan.com -- Ed.Epoxy market conditions on recovery trackEpoxy resin is mainly used for coating, adhesive, and waterproofing purposes in a range of industries such as shipbuilding, auto, construction, and wind pow
Korea’s stock market gained the fifth most among the Group of 20 (G20) in May. This growth was driven by strong stock prices of semiconductor companies.According to the Korea Exchange on June 4, the KOSPI rose 3.02 percent in the month of May. The KOSPI, which closed at 2501.53 on the last trading d
An increase in short selling has slowed amid repeated warnings from financial authorities. Short selling tapered off as an aggressive crackdown on unauthorized short selling and the manipulation of stock prices in contracts for difference (CFDs) has become a hot topic. However, financial authorities
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will be revealing the models of a next-generation Korean destroyer and other combat ships they are currently developing.On June 4, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced that it will participate in the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX 2023), which
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. He can be reached at jk.ahn@shinhan.com -- Ed.BOK reconfirms its commitment to hawkish stance in MayThe Bank of Korea (BOK) made a unanimous decision to keep the base rate unchanged at 3.50% at the May Monetary Policy Board (MPB) meeting. This year’s
The easing of COVID-19 quarantine measures has been leading to an increase in Korean travelers to overseas countries. Amid this change, “No Japan” sentiments have disappeared and “No China” sentiments have emerged among Korean travelers going abroad.Consumer Insight, a Korean data convergence and co
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at soohong.cho@nhqv.com -- Ed.Although macroeconomic uncertainties linger, global auto sales should come in healthy, considering the positives in play. Also, while there are concerns over peak-out in the process of production
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. He can be reached at jinmyung.lee93@shinhan.com -- Ed.Chemical sector at the crossroads of survivalThe petrochemical sector is cyclical in nature, where profits generated during an up- cycle are invested during a down-cycle to prepare for the next boo
Last year, the number of South Korean export items trailing in global competitiveness was at its highest in the last decade.The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) announced this on May 21 based on the analysis of the Trade Specialization Index (TSI) for export items from 2013 through 2022. TSI is
The national competitiveness ranking of Korea, invited to the Group of Seven (G7) Summit scheduled from May 19 to 21 in Hiroshima, Japan, has emerged as the sixth in the world, demonstrating a level comparable to G7 nations.On May 17, the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) announced the findings
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at ys.jung@nhqv.com -- Ed.DSME’s 1Q23 results fell below consensus due to both lower-than-expected sales and offshore plant costs. Short-term momentum is weak, but the firm’s mid/long-term profit growth direction remains vali
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at sw.kang@nhqv.com -- Ed.Amid tightening bank credit conditions, 1) core services inflation, excluding housing, came in below market expectations; and 2) housing inflation peaked out at a 21-month high. April retail sales co
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. He can be reached at keonhyeong.ha@shinhan.com -- Ed.Clear decline in consumer prices to rekindle hopes for monetary easingConcerns still linger over the US banking sector turmoil triggered by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, but we believe timely
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at ys.jung@nhqv.com -- Ed.Pan Ocean’s 1Q23 results met consensus. Short-term earnings momentum is disappointing due to weak commodity demand from China and fewer long-term charters, but mid/long-term bulk carrier freight rate
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. He can be reached at chee@shinhan.com -- Ed.Reasons behind decoupling between USD/KRW rate and US Dollar IndexThe USD/KRW exchange rate has moved higher recently to approach KRW1,350 after remaining range bound in the KRW1,300 levels since March. This
The Korean government has ambitiously promoted a project to put Korea into the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Developed Markets Indexes for the purpose of resolving the so-called Korea Discount. But the project will hardly produce desired results this year.According to sources in the Ko