Concerns are rising that Hanwha Group’s credit rating could be negatively affected as it plans for significant capital-raising activities, including a paid-in capital increase, following the acquisition of Hanwha Ocean. It’s noted that the financial burden on the group has increased by injecting nea
As the three-way compressed battle for the acquisition of HMM involving Harim Group, LX Group, and Dongwon Group intensifies, the possibility of candidates with insufficient cash assets making a successful acquisition has increased. This has raised questions about their financial capabilities and th
In response to the United States’ semiconductor sanctions, China’s “Semiconductor Self-Reliance” strategy is gradually coming to the surface. Given the immediate challenge of countering U.S. sanctions, China is discreetly pouring substantial funds into attracting overseas semiconductor talent. Furth
A significant trend among global automakers is the incorporation of China-made lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, known for their affordability. With the growing market share of LFP batteries, concerns are rising about a potential crisis for the “top 3 South Korean battery manufacturers.” Howev
South Korean shipbuilding orders appear to have fallen significantly behind rival China.According to Clarkson Research, a U.K.-based shipbuilding and maritime analysis institute, global ship orders last month stood at 2.05 million CGT (Compensated Gross Tonnage, 71 ships), a 30% decrease compared to
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at kyeongkeun.kang@nhqv.com -- Ed.Millie’s Library is an e-book subscription platform boasting outstanding market share. Key indicators for the firm (eg, monthly average free-to-paid conversion rate and repeat subscription ra
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. He can be reached at hpark@shinhan.com -- Ed.Investment point 1: Domestic earnings driven by inbound touristsInbound visitors to Korea rose to 960,000 in July, reaching 66% of the 1.45mn level seen in July 2019 with triple-digit growth continuing ever
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at soohong.cho@nhqv.com -- Ed.Although cutting our OP forecasts, we remain upbeat toward mid/long-term earnings improvement on HL Mando’s customer diversification, completion of restructuring of conventional parts at domestic
On Sept. 4 (local time) at the world’s largest motor show, IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich, Germany, Samsung SDI revealed for the first time its lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery, which adds manganese to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes.Samsung SDI, which has been focusing on producin
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) has divested its shares in Oracle, the world’s second-largest software company.According to local media and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Sept. 4, the Korea Investment Corporation reduced its stake by 2.7%, selling 51,501 Oracle shares in the
The fate of the 11Street (11st) platform hangs in the balance as its planned Initial Public Offering (IPO) becomes uncertain, leading to speculations of a potential sale. The inability to complete the IPO within the timeline promised to investors has led SK square to consider divestment as an altern
Nickel and lithium produced through battery recycling will outweigh those produced through mining in 2036 and 2050, respectively, some experts forecast. In addition, the waste battery market is expected to grow rapidly once end-of-life batteries of electric vehicles begin to come out in drove in 203
Korean battery materials companies are expediting the development of cathode materials for low-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries with a market dominated by China.According to industry sources on Sept. 3, Korean battery makers are targeting volume production of cathode materials for LFP bat
Samsung Electronics paid a total of 1.9521 trillion won to Chinese companies in the first half of this year to purchase liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for TVs and monitors, according to the Financial Supervisory Service’s electronic disclosure system on Sept. 2.Most of these panels were produce
SK hynix’s global DRAM market share crossed 30 percent in the second quarter of this year as a boom in generative artificial intelligence (AI) has fueled demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Its gap with market leader Samsung Electronics has reached its narrowest point in a decade.According to ma
The divergence in stock performance between e-commerce leader Coupang and the offline retail giant Emart is deepening. Throughout this year, Coupang’s stock has continued to rise as its growth prospects become more prominent, while Emart has seen its stock plummet to its lowest point amid an increas
The achievement pace of order targets for South Korea’s “Big 3” shipbuilders has shown a slowdown compared to previous years. This development is attributed to a decrease in orders compared to last year and the impact of selective orders due to limited dockyard capacity.According to shipbuilding ind
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at jack.baek@nhqv.com -- Ed.Binggrae has drawn market attention as it delivered an earnings surprise for 2Q23, energized by a widening export sales portion. Margins are to continue improving in 3Q23 on solid ice cream exports
The Biden administration, which is weaponizing semiconductor exports as a diplomatic tool, has set its sights on a new location other than China: the Middle East, a region known for its close ties with China. They’ve abruptly imposed controls on the export of AI-specific semiconductors to the Middle
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have expressed differing views on microLED TVs, super-premium large TV models priced at over 100 million won. While Samsung pinpoints microLED as its next strategic display, LG points out its limitations, emphasizing the growth potential of Organic Light Emitti