It has been revealed that the National Pension Service (NPS) achieved a return on investment of over 40 percent through its investments in U.S. stocks last year. This is attributed to the historical bull market recorded in the U.S. stock market.According to the stockholding report (13F) submitted by
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. He can be reached at sokang@shinhan.com -- Ed.4Q23 review: New game and profitability disappointNCsoft registered operating profit of KRW3.9bn (-91.9% YoY, -76.7% QoQ, operating margin of 0.9%) on sales of KRW437.7bn (-20.1% YoY, +3.5% QoQ) for 4Q23,
Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp. are looking to ramp up their market shares by introducing more than five new electric vehicle models this year. The electric vehicle market, which grew rapidly, has slowed down somewhat, but the two automakers are expediting their electrification transition with the new m
According to industry sources on Feb. 12, Hanwha Impact, an affiliate of Hanwha Group, recently received final approval for a merger related to the acquisition of HSD Engine from the Korea Fair Trade Commission. This came one year after the company signed a memorandum of understanding for a stock pu
The European Union (EU)’s decision to approve a Korean Airlines-Asiana Airlines merger is fast approaching, drawing more attention from the airline industry. While many experts believe that approval will be given with some conditions, a formal outcome has not come out, keeping both airlines on edge.
China is dominating the global battery market backed by overwhelming growth in its home market. Stopping China’s rise in the global battery industry has become a big challenge for Korea, which ranks second in the market behind Chinese companies as well as the United States and Europe.Six of the worl
Korea’s four major oil refiners are posting a gradual drop in their exports to China. They are diversifying their export destinations to Australia, Japan, and other countries to fill the void. China used to be Korea’s top petroleum product export market.According to the Korea National Petroleum Asso
According to industry sources and market research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) on Feb. 12, LG Display has recently agreed to a long-term supply contract with Samsung Electronics for OLED and Liquid Crystal Display panels.LG Display is expected to supply Samsung Electronics with 5 mil
As global electronic component companies that manufacture Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCCs) seek breakthroughs by expanding their automotive MLCC businesses amid ongoing smartphone demand slumps, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, a leading South Korean MLCC company, is focusing its investments on the
Civic groups in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, collectively known as the “POSCO Citizens’ Response Committee,” held an urgent executive committee meeting on Feb. 12 to formally oppose the nomination of former POSCO President Jang In-hwa as the CEO candidate for POSCO Holdings.The Citizens’ Commi
Starbucks Korea, the leading coffee chain by sales, has been reported to have the fourth-largest number of stores worldwide. According to the distribution industry on Feb. 12, data from Starbucks’ global website showed that, as of the end of last year, the number of Starbucks stores in South Korea i
SK on has announced a supply agreement to receive natural graphite from its American anode material partner, Westwater Resources. This acquisition of American-sourced graphite strengthens SK on’s response capability to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).On Feb. 12, SK on disclosed that it had finaliz
Hanwha Q CELLS has surpassed 10,000 contracts for its Solar Financing Service launched last year in the United States. As the solar energy division of Hanwha Solutions, Hanwha Q CELLS is leaping from a simple manufacturing company to a “comprehensive energy solution company” with a strategy to overc
During the Lunar New Year holiday, Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, visited the Samsung SDI battery manufacturing facility in Malaysia, emphasizing the need for bold investments despite challenges. On Feb. 12, Samsung Electronics reported that Chairman Lee, having arrived in Malaysia o
It has been revealed that the dividend payouts of major domestic companies increased by nearly 10 percent last year. Particularly noteworthy is the recent announcement by the government regarding the introduction of the “Corporate Value-Up Program” aimed at addressing the “Korea Discount,” which ref
Due to the severe downturn in the global commercial real estate market, overseas real estate mutual funds are rapidly emerging as a new potential catalyst in the financial market. With recent one-year returns plummeting to as low as -80 percent, there are signs indicating the looming realization of
South Korea’s aircraft exports exceeded US$1 billion for the first time in history last year. The successful export of FA-50 fighter jets to Poland is considered to have contributed significantly to this achievement.According to the Korea International Trade Association on Feb. 10, South Korea’s air
Pharmaceutical companies are expanding their presence into Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and Vietnam. There is a high preference for Korean products and a high growth potential in these markets, leading to strong optimism about the possibility of expansion. Among these countries, Indonesia
Following the announcement of the government’s introduction of a program to enhance corporate value, stocks with a low price-to-book ratio (PBR) showed strength. Over the past two weeks, foreign investors’ net purchases on the KOSPI surpassed 5 trillion won. While low PBR stocks surged due to foreig
Daewoo Engineering & Construction announced on Feb. 8 that Chairman Jung Won-joo visited India from the 31st of last month to the 6th of this month, where he held meetings with several business figures, including Vice Foreign Minister Dammu Lavi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and executives fro