South Korean companies’ business sentiment rebounded for the first time in five months in May as domestic consumption is showing signs of recovery thanks to the government’s distribution of emergency coronavirus relief funds.The Bank of Korea announced on May 27 that the business survey index (BSI)
Samsung Electronics announced on May 27 its official partnership with global esports organization, T1 Entertainment & Sports (T1).With this partnership, all teams and players located at the T1 headquarters training facility in Seoul will practice using Samsung’s latest curved gaming monitors, the Od
Kia Motors has announced a significant upgrade to the Kia Rio, a subcompact car now in its fourth generation. The upgraded model features a range of enhancements to reinvigorate the car’s position within the highly competitive B-segment.The upgraded Rio pairs an updated exterior and interior design
SK Telecom announced on May 26 that, together with Omron Electronics Korea, it has developed a 5G-powered autonomous robot to enable a systematic and efficient response against the coronavirus (COVID-19).Built with cutting-edge technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous dri
The authors are analysts of Shinhan Investment Corp. They can be reached at snowKH@shinhan.com and swoong92@shinhan.com, respectively. -- Ed. 2Q20 sales forecast at KRW228bn (+5%YoY)Lotte Data Communication is expected to post sales of KRW228bn (+5% YoY) and operating profit of KRW10bn (-27% YoY) fo
The author is an analyst of NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at hwdoh@nhqv.com. -- Ed. With supply and demand in balance, 3Q20 memory contract prices should arrive flat q-q. Data center investment, which surged in 1H20 on increased stay-at-home demand, will likely slow in 2H20. But, mob
Samsung Electronics has introduced a standalone turnkey security solution for mobile devices to offer protection for tasks such as booting, isolated storage, mobile payment and other applications.The solution consists of a tiny Secure Element (SE) chip (S3FV9RR) and enhanced security software. The s
SK Global Chemical will pursue a “green-centered deep change” as a way to achieve sustainable growth and, as part of efforts, will expand the share of eco-friendly products in its sales from the current 20 percent to more than 70 percent by 2025.The company’s president Na Kyung-soo presented the vis
The Moon Jae-in administration’s populist fiscal spending is adding to concerns over national debts and its tax revenue shortfall estimated to reach 30 trillion won this year. The president remarked on May 25 that the current fiscal conditions are very sound, finance is a cure for the COVID-19 pande
The Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI) said on May 25 that the consumer-oriented manufacturing sector should not be subject to the digital tax the OECD is currently working on.In October last year, the Secretariat of the OECD decided on taxation rights granted to cover market jurisdictions and
Korea Exchange (KRX) announced on May 25 that ACLEDA Bank, Cambodia's largest commercial bank, has been listed on Cambodian Stock Exchange (CSX).KRX established CSX in 2010 through joint equity investment with the Cambodian government. KRX holds a 45 percent stake in CSX, with the remainder owne
Three of the eight South Korean airlines — Asiana Airlines, Air Seoul and Eastar Jet — are in capital erosion. Asiana Airlines recorded a capital impairment rate of 81.2 percent in the first quarter, while Air Seoul and Eastar Jet posted -63.2 billion won and -2.9 billion won in capital, respectivel
South Korea's consumer sentiment improved for the first time in six months in May as the number of new COVID-19 cases fell.According to the Consumer Survey for May 2020 released by the Bank of Korea on May 26, the Composite Consumer Sentiment Index (CCSI) for May stood at 77.6, higher than that
Hyundai Motor Co. has pulled back the curtain just enough to offer an initial glimpse of its new Santa Fe.The latest generation of Hyundai Motor’s longest-running SUV will feature a rugged yet refined exterior design, as well as interior design updates providing premium amenities and comfort, the co
South Korean depository institutions’ external debts totaled 271,346.9 billion won in the first quarter of this year, up 7 percent from the previous quarter and up 11 percent from a year ago. In addition, the debts increased by approximately 20 percent compared to two years ago. In that quarter, the
The Independent Power Producer Association, the Korea New & New Renewable Energy Association and the Korea Wind Energy Industry Association recently submitted a written proposal to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy regarding its plan to change the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).In the c
The authors are analysts of Shinhan Investment Corp. They can be reached at minseo.cho@shinhan.com and changminyoon86@shinhan.com, respectively. -- Ed. Humasis, an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) company, produces test kits for both quantitative and qualitative detection of antibodies. Sales from quantita
The authors are analysts of Shinhan Investment Corp. They can be reached at kimkyuri@shinhan.com and changmin.yoon86@shinhan.com, respectively. -- Ed. LabGenomics is an in vitro diagnostic solution provider that was listed on the KOSDAQ in 2014. In 2019, the company generated 44% of total sales from
The authors are analysts of Shinhan Investment Corp. They can be reached at kimkyuri@shinhan.com and changmin.yoon86@shinhan.com, respectively. -- Ed. Sugentech is an in vitro diagnostic kit manufacturer established in 2011. The company moved its listing from KONEX to KOSDAQ in May 2019. Its product
The authors are analysts of Shinhan Investment Corp. They can be reached at changmin.yoon86@shinhan.com and kimkyuri@shinhan.com, respectively. -- Ed.Seegene produces molecular reagents and equipment for DNA analysis and diagnostics. The company's proprietary technology in multiplex real-time PC