The big three Korean shipbuilders -- HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha Ocean -- are expected to lower their annual order targets for 2024 compared to last year. According to a recent industry report, HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding intermediate holding comp
In the fourth quarter of last year, the annual performance of South Korea’s largest container shipping company HMM and bulk carrier operator Pan Ocean plummeted due to a slump in the shipping industry.According to financial information firm FnGuide on Jan. 8, the estimated performance consensus for
LG Electronics continued its strong performance in 2023, setting new records in sales for the third consecutive year and achieving significant growth. Notably, in the fourth quarter of 2023, its operating profit surged by an impressive 350.9% compared to the same period last year, demonstrating soli
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at youngryu@nhqv.com -- Ed.SK Hynix is expected to post stable results, aided by earnings for high-performance memory products such as DDR5 and HBM, thanks to its superior technological competitiveness. Demand for high-perfor
The government’s new entrusted operating funds for the Korea Investment Corporation (KIC), the sovereign wealth fund, have effectively ceased from 2022 until last year. Some argue that the KIC faces concerns about its international competitiveness. In a landscape where competing sovereign wealth fun
According to market research firm Euromonitor, in 2023, the average coffee consumption per adult in South Korea reached 405 cups per year, more than double the global average of 152 cups. This marks the highest consumption rate among major Asian countries, translating to more than one cup of coffee
In 2023, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Korea exceeded US$32.7 billion, a record high. High-tech materials, parts, and equipment such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, and biotech items led the increase in FDI in Korea.According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Jan. 4, FDI
The government has announced its intention to reduce the ratio of household debt to gross domestic product (GDP) to below 100 percent by the year 2027.On Jan. 4, the government released the “2024 Economic Policy Direction,” outlining its strategy for managing household debt.According to the Bank for
Household and corporate debt as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP) has decreased for the first time in five years and nine months, signaling a trend of adjustment for the surging debt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.According to preliminary third-quarter cash flow data released by the Ban
BMW Korea has reclaimed its position as the leader in the South Korean imported car market for the first time in eight years, surpassing Mercedes-Benz Korea. Sales of eco-friendly cars, including electric and hybrid vehicles, have overtaken gasoline cars.According to the Korea Automobile Importers &
The landscape of venture investment, including startups and other unlisted companies, has undergone significant changes after enduring a cold spell lasting more than a year and six months. Instead of Software as a Service (SaaS), the rise of manufacturing industries such as semiconductors has become
Starting in the second half of this year, non-index-linked general public funds will be directly listed on the Korea Exchange and traded like exchange traded funds (ETFs). With increased convenience for investors and reduced sales commissions, expectations are high for the revitalization of the fund
Nexon Korea, the operator of the online game MapleStory, is set to face a hefty fine of more than 10 billion won from the Korea Fair Trade Commission for selling game items with virtually zero chance of being won.The KFTC announced on Jan. 3 that it would impose a corrective order and a fine of 11.6
Overseas luxury brands are once again raising product prices early in the new year.According to the retail industry on Jan. 2, Hermes has raised the prices of its shoe products starting from Jan. 1. Among the various models of “Oran” sandals, the one crafted from lizard leather has witnessed a subst
In the domestic automotive market, a significant deceleration in the demand for electric cars is becoming apparent. Specifically, there will also be a decrease in government subsidies for electric car purchases this year. The aversion of domestic consumers towards electric cars, which are positioned
President Yoon Young-jun of Hyundai E&C expressed his intention to focus the company’s capabilities more on overseas markets than the domestic market in the new year.In his New Year’s address on Jan. 2, President Yoon stated, “Despite the dark clouds over the construction market due to the triple ch
The demand for spandex, a functional fiber known for its strength and elasticity and widely used in clothing such as hiking apparel and leggings, is showing signs of recovery. This has led to Hyosung TNC’s spandex facilities operating at over 90% capacity.Industry sources reported on Jan. 2 that the
South Korea recorded a trade deficit of US$9.97 billion last year, marking the second consecutive year of deficit since 2022. However, the trade deficit in the past year contracted compared to 2022 when it was US$47.78 billion, primarily due to the recovery in exports in the latter half of the year.
In a trend led by younger demographics, traditional TV viewership is diminishing, whereas the use of Over The Top (OTT, or online video streaming) services is rapidly expanding, even among the elderly. The Korea Communication Commission announced these findings in its “2023 Broadcast Media Usage Beh
Debt, or credit, for both households and businesses surged to a historic peak, surpassing twice the gross domestic product (GDP) during the third quarter of this year. With an increasing number of businesses relying on non-banking institutions after the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with a rising house