Samjong KPMG (KPMG Korea) predicts that the semiconductor and smartphone markets will rebound in 2024 thanks to the full-scale commercialization of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. On the other hand, the automobile, shipping, construction, and distribution industries are likely to show slugg
As expectations for a stock market rebound rise due to the complete ban on short selling, there is an increase in related funds in the market. With investor deposits recovering to 50 trillion won in just two months, there also seems a surge in the balance of margin loans.According to the Korea Finan
LIG Nex1 has initiated the pursuit of acquiring Ghost Robotics, a U.S.-based robotics company known for developing robotic dogs.The company announced in a regulatory filing on Dec. 8 that it will acquire a 60% stake in Ghost Robotics for 315 billion won (US$238.46 million).To facilitate the acquisit
Korean battery manufacturers are focusing on silicon anode materials as a key strategy to reduce dependence on Chinese graphite, a major weakness of K-batteries. This next-generation material is estimated to have an energy density about 10 times higher than the graphite-based anode materials current
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is considering importing blocks for merchant ships from China for the first time since its establishment. Until now, all of the blocks for merchant ships have been manufactured by HD HHI’s Korean partners and delivered to HD HHI.According to industry sources on Dec.
Domestic battery companies are groaning under the unreasonable demands of global automotive brands. The automotive companies, both customers and joint venture (JV) partners of the battery industry, are intensifying their oppressive tactics as the demand for electric vehicles slows down. This trend o
In celebration of LG Twins’ victory in the Korean Series, LG Electronics has initiated a 29 percent discount on home appliances. Following suit, Samsung Electronics has also joined the discount battle. As the two major players in the domestic home appliance industry, LG Electronics and Samsung Elect
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at kyuha.lee@nhqv.com -- Ed.Mid/long-term earnings growth should continue thanks to expanded application of deco film, the supply of foldable smartphone metal plates, and shipments of tablet OLED materials. Despite the recent
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at jaemin.ahn@nhqv.com -- Ed.Backed by lower P/E levels than those for other game companies and healthy 3Q23 earnings, Krafton’s share price has rebounded. However, the recent share price rise has pushed up its P/E. As Krafto
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at junsup@nhqv.com -- Ed.Mirae Asset Life’s share price is moving strong in response to majority shareholders’ share purchasing activity. However, it is unclear as to how long these purchase effects will last.Share price ener
A top European Commission (EC) official has given a positive assessment for the first time to remedial measures submitted by Korean Air to the EC for its merger with Asiana Airlines.“We have seen very positive progress on some of the proposals in Korean Air’s remedial measures,” EC Justice Commissio
Kia’s large electric sports utility vehicle (SUV), the EV9, is having a surprise year-end sales promotion with nearly 30 percent off. Normally the margin rate of electric vehicles is within 10 percent, but this massive sales discount has made the price of a new EV9 lower than that of a secondhand EV
EOFLOW announced on Dec. 7 that it has terminated its acquisition contract with Medtronic, which was initially signed in May. The company disclosed the termination of the acquisition contract with Medtronic, leading to the withdrawal of the paid-in capital increase and the annulment of the stock tra
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. He can be reached at hyon@shinhan.com -- Ed.Seasonal demand from new smartphone release to concentrate in 4QLX Semicon registered operating profit of KRW14.9bn (+91% QoQ) on sales of KRW412.8bn (-9% QoQ) for 3Q23. With its client hit by delays in the
A Chinese state-run think tank expressed the view that South Korea’s concerns sparked by China’s recent withholding of customs clearance for urea exports from China to South Korea can be resolved through friendly negotiations.“Two years ago, during a urea shortage situation in South Korea, China urg
Global EV battery usage continued to enjoy double-digit growth this year despite concerns that the growth of the EV market will slow down.The total usage of batteries in battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and hybrid vehicles registered in various countries from January to October this year
Automakers are making changes in their strategies as they grapple with the increasingly complex rules of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which subsidizes electric vehicles built in North America while excluding Chinese supply chains. Some automakers are looking to keep Chinese companies as partne
Samsung Electronics is set to release its Galaxy Fit 3 smart band early next year, marking the revival of its healthcare wearable devices after a four-year hiatus.Industry sources revealed on Dec. 6 that Samsung has confirmed the release of the Galaxy Fit 3 for the first half of next year with an ex
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who visited Washington, D.C., on Dec. 4 (local time) reiterated his proposal for the formation of a trilateral economic union, saying, “If South Korea and Japan develop into a single market-type economic partnership like the European Union, it will not only create tre
With assets totaling 10.4 trillion won (US$7.91 billion), Hankook & Company, formerly known as the Hankook Tire Group, currently ranking 40th in the business sector, has reignited a power struggle among siblings. After a slump in 2021, the management dispute between the brothers is resurfacing, mark