Korea’s automobile exports amounted to US$4.4 billion in April, up 6.1 percent from the same period of 2021. Export growth was led by eco-friendly vehicles amid a global push for carbon neutrality. However, production decreased due to a shortage of semiconductors and disruptions in parts supply trig
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) is promoting the commercialization of tritium, a key material required for nuclear fusion power generation. Although tritium is a kind of radioactive material, it is known to have a higher added value than gold because it is widely used in daily life as well as in
The author is an analyst of NH Investment & Securities. She can be reached at jiyoony@nhqv.com. -- Ed. Shinsegae International recorded a 1Q22 earnings surprise, with OP jumping 56% y-y. Earnings momentum at the fashion division should sustain in 2Q22. We expect diversification of sports and men’s w
The Bank of Korea announced on May 10 that South Korea recorded a current account surplus of US$6.73 billion in March this year and remained in the black for the 23rd consecutive month, and the surplus decreased by US$770 million compared to the same month of the previous year.The goods account surp
The author is an analyst of NH Investment & Securities. She can be reached at jiyoony@nhqv.com. -- Ed. Handsome registered a 1Q22 earnings surprise thanks both to brisk department store sales and high top-line growth at its own online mall. Continuing to reinforce its own channels, Handsome achieved
Hyundai Research Institute said in its report on May 1 that stagflation is imminent in the South Korean economy, with oil and raw material prices rising along with interest rates and the won-dollar exchange rate.In March this year, consumer prices rose 4.1 percent, the highest since December 2011. T
The Korea Exchange announced on April 26 that foreign investors’ proportion in KOSPI was 31.12 percent that day, the lowest since Sept. 8, 2009. For reference, the proportion was approximately 37 percent in early 2021.This year, their net selling in KOSPI topped 10 trillion won in less than four mon
Korean automakers and foreign carmakers' operations in Korea delivered mixed results in 2021. Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. achieved record-high sales in 2021 thanks to strong sales of the luxury brand Genesis and increased sales of SUVs, respectively. Renault Korea Motors, SsangYong Motor and
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on April 14 that 54,390 vehicles of 13 brands manufactured or imported by seven companies will be recalled for defects.The seven automakers are Ford Sales Service Korea, Hyundai Motor Co., Honda Korea, Tesla Korea, Jaguar Land Rover Korea, Volk
Mercedes-Benz Korea, the No. 1 imported car brand in Korea, surpassed 6 trillion won in sales in 2021. Its net profit of 147.3 billion won was all paid out as dividends to the German headquarters and its major shareholders.Mercedes-Benz Korea’s sales in 2021 reached 6,121.3 billion won, up 14.7 perc
SK Telecom and KT are competing for supremacy in artificial intelligence (AI) voice recognition services for vehicles. SK Telecom expanded its territory last year by joining hands with Volvo. Then, KT partnered with Mercedes-Benz, which ranks first in the Korean imported car market. SK Telecom respo
CarIsYou Data Research Institute said on April 4 that 144,179 cars were newly registered in South Korea last month, up 25.8 percent from the previous month and down 14.8 percent from a year earlier.The new registrations include 116,172 domestic cars, up 22.8 percent from the previous month and down
SK On succeeded in developing a battery monitoring integrated circuit (BMIC), a key component that plays the role of a battery brain.The company announced on April 4 that it has jointly developed the BMIC with Auto Silicon, a company specializing in battery and automotive semiconductors.The chip ide
The author is an analyst of NH Investment & Securities. She can be reached at jiyoony@nhqv.com. -- Ed. Amid reopening momentum and robust 1H22E department store sales, Shinsegae International is enjoying ongoing solid demand for overseas apparel brands. Additional earnings upside is to be driven by
The Bank of Korea said in its report on March 30 that raw material procurement risks triggered by the war in Ukraine and China’s rise are currently the biggest concerns for South Korea’s new growth industries. According to the report, the industries are next-generation semiconductor, display, EV, re
The United States Department of Commerce said that its quota applied to South Korean steel exporters is not subject to renegotiations.The South Korean government opted for the quota in 2018 in order to avoid high tariffs. Specifically, South Korea’s annual steel exports to the United States are limi
South Korean companies are seeking to replace imported precursors with their own developments.According to market research firms, precursors imported from China account for more than 70 percent of the total use in South Korea and its self-sufficiency stood at 13.9 percent in 2020. In an electric veh
The author is an analyst of NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at ys.jung@nhqv.com -- Ed. According to KCS data, the coal import price upped again in February, but the LNG import price fell m-m, as the spot market purchase portion narrowed amid reduced demand. Meanwhile, the March SMP has
The importance of mRNA-related technologies is continuing to increase for its potential to cure cancers, dementia, and other diseases. However, the use of mRNA in South Korea is still limited to COVID-19 vaccine development, and this is because of the lack of original technology.Merck announced in J
The Korea Exchange announced on March 13 that foreign investors’ net selling in the South Korean stock market was 5.4198 trillion won from Feb. 18 to March 11, when KOSPI fell 3 percent from 2,744.09 to 2,661.28 points and individual investors’ net buying was approximately 8 trillion won. Foreign in