In the first half of this year, South Korea’s top four petrochemical companies – LG Chem, Lotte Chemical, Kumho Petrochemical, and Hanwha Solutions – have collectively lowered the average operational rates at their domestic petrochemical plants. This adjustment comes as the petrochemical industry ha
It has been revealed that major defense companies in South Korea achieved one-third of their total revenue through exports in the first half of this year. Following export contracts with countries like Poland last year, actual product deliveries have commenced this year, contributing to the increase
Kim Byung-gu, the head of LG Display’s automotive business group and executive vice president, unveiled LG Display’s OLED displays designed for automotive use and introduced the entire portfolio of premium brands involved in automotive production and development for the first time at IMID 2023, whic
Amid concerns of dampened consumer sentiment in the latter half of this year, imported car manufacturers are launching aggressive discount campaigns.According to industry sources on Aug. 23, the “Big Three” German car manufacturers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi – initiated their discount promotions
The development of next-generation network (6G) commercialization technology and core components, with a budget of 440 billion won, is set to begin in earnest next year. Further, there’s an ambition to demonstrate pre-6G technology by 2026 and secure 30% of the 6G international standard patents, aim
Hyundai Motor has started the process of selling its Chongqing factory in China, which has been non-operational for over a year. This is the second such move after it sold its Beijing 1 factory in 2021. Hyundai also plans to halt operations and prepare for the sale of its Chengzhou factory, one of t
Hanwha Ocean decided on a capital increase of approximately 2 trillion won during its board meeting on Aug. 23. Concurrently, the company also set forth a goal to achieve 30 trillion won in sales and 5 trillion won in operating profit by 2040.Out of the funds secured from this capital raise, about 9
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at kyeongkeun.kang@nhqv.com -- Ed.Having weathered a delay, Samyoung’s new production line for capacitor films is about to come online. Upon mass-production of capacitor films for EVs, sales mix improvement should lead to ful
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. He can be reached at jk.ahn@shinhan.com -- Ed.US government and Fed seek to bring down inflation without a recessionThe US Fed is seeking to stabilize inflation at lower levels without a recession in hopes of avoiding a repeat of the 1970s. It has rai
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at jaemin.ahn@nhqv.com -- Ed.NAVER’s AI businesses are to kick off in earnest with the unveiling of HyperCLOVA X on Aug 24. Despite competition from global tech giants, we expect NAVER to maintain its leadership in the domest
The author is an analyst for Shinhan Securities. He can be reached at jinmyung.lee93@shinhan.com -- Ed.Kukdo Chemical reported profit gains in 2Q23 despite weak ASP, backed by sales volume growth. The Chinese epoxy resin unit returned to profit. However, epoxy market conditions continued to be weigh
A bad feeling is growing among makers of electric vehicles that previously enjoyed rapid sales growth in the global automobile market. This is because their sales growth is staying on the skids year on year in major markets such as Korea, China, and the United States.According to the Korea Automobil
Shipbuilding exports are taking the lead in Korea’s exports in the first half of the year. During this span, Korea’s exports rose 11.9 percent year on year. The Korean shipbuilding industry secured four years’ worth of work through the end of the first half of this year. This is the largest order ba
As the hydrogen market is expected to expand as an eco-friendly energy industry, major countries are rushing to promote hydrogen utilization promotion policies.On Aug. 22, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) released a report on policy research to boost the competitiveness of the Korean
ABSOLUT premium vodka, Pernod Ricard Korea’s flagship brand, is collaborating with Sticky Monster Lab to open a pop-up space called ‘ABSOLUT Ground’ mix with Sticky Monster Lab at Common Ground near Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.Our second pop-up space following last year’s ‘ABSOLUT Home’
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at sw.kang@nhqv.com -- Ed.Spiking real interest rates undermine fiscal sustainability. The US government will try to pace its spending and ease supply pressures through the TGA account. However, investors have no incentive to
Hanwha Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering) is preparing to raise funds amounting to around 2 trillion won. This move is proactive investment in defense and other sectors in preparation for the future.On Aug. 22, Hanwha Ocean announced, “We are reviewing various ways to raise fu
The domestic car market is rapidly reorienting around SUVs. For the first time, SUVs have surpassed 60% of the total new car market share this year.According to industry sources on Aug. 22, a total of 546,230 SUVs, including leisure vehicles (RVs), were sold domestically from January to July this ye
In the first half of this year South Korea’s steel imports showed an increase of over 10% compared to last year. This significant rise in imports is attributed to fluctuations in the exchange rates of major importing countries like China and Japan coupled with a domestic industrial boom leading to a
The overseas subsidiary capital of Mirae Asset Securities has exceeded 4 trillion won (US$2.99 billion). It is the largest among domestic securities firms. The net profit earned overseas is also steadily increasing.According to the investment banking industry on Aug. 22, the capital of Mirae Asset S