More than four out of 10 listed companies in Korea were unable to pay interest with money they made, according to a recent survey. High interest rates and stagflation worsened the business environment, raising red flags on their financial conditions.As of the third quarter of 2023, 710 of 1,674 list
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. She can be reached at eunsang.lee@nhqv.com -- Ed.The Seoul office market should remain brisk in 2024. Despite its status as Korea’s largest office REIT player, Shinhan Alpha REIT is showing a 2024E P/NAV of only 0.6x. But, we believe that the
Semiconductor stocks including those of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix fell altogether.On the KOSPI and KOSDAQ stock market on Jan. 3, stocks of semiconductor giants and even companies producing materials, components, and equipment for chipmakers fell due to an anti-China export control issue invo
Chef Jimyung Lee of Park Hyatt Seoul, celebrated for his creativity and artistry, and Chef Narae Kim of Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, named the Best Pastry Chef of the Year by the French restaurant guide Gault & Millau, will jointly present "Four Hands Dessert: Taste of Seoul and Paris" on the top floor
Park Hyun-joo, chairman of Mirae Asset Group, has pledged to donate 25 percent of his stake in Mirae Asset Consulting to the Mirae Asset Hope Foundation to foster national talent.Mirae Asset Group announced on Jan. 2 that Park, the founder of the group, signed a donation agreement with the Mirae Ass
On Jan. 2, Son Byung-du, the chairman of the Korea Exchange, expressed his commitment to strengthening enforcement efforts, including enhanced monitoring of illegal short selling.During the opening ceremony of the “2024 Securities and Derivatives Market” held at the Yeouido office of the Korea Excha
On Jan. 2, President Yoon Suk-yeol announced, “I will push for the abolition of the Financial Investment Income Tax.” This move is expected to spark controversy as it involves the cancellation of an agreement with the opposition party.On this day, President Yoon attended the “2024 Securities and Der
LG Electronics has announced plans to showcase the future of smart homes powered by artificial intelligence (AI) at the world’s largest consumer electronics and IT exhibition, CES 2024, scheduled for January 9.The LG Smart Home utilizes AI to comprehensively understand and care for the customer’s li
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
MedPacto announced on Jan. 2 that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the combination therapy of Vactosertib and Pembrolizumab (commercially known as Keytruda).This clinical trial targets patients with previo
SK telecom is undergoing a complete transformation into an “Artificial Intelligence (AI) company,” expanding its global business ventures. Following an organizational restructuring in June, the company has now finalized a reorganization focused on strengthening AI and global business operations. Thi
Korea and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have finalized negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). The Korea-GCC FTA is Korea’s twenty-fifth FTA and the second with the Arab world after the Korea-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). As Korea has gain
Huawei Korea recently hosted the ICT Talent Alumni Ceremony, a ceremony celebrating and announcing the achievements of participants in its domestic ICT talent development program. The event took place on Dec. 22 at the Emerald Hall of Lotte Hotel Seoul in the Jung district of the city. It was organi
A South Korea-based brokerage firm has been fined billions of won for allegedly allowing global investment banks (IBs) to short sell stocks without borrowing, ratcheting up tension in the Korean securities industry. This is because although the sanctions were imposed on the foreign-affiliated securi
SK on, a battery subsidiary of SK Innovation, is collaborating with domestic and foreign companies possessing global-level core technologies to advance the intelligence of battery production equipment.On the afternoon of Dec. 26, SK on announced the signing of a six-party memorandum of understanding
The world’s leading automakers are adopting technologies developed by Korean startups. In particular, major German automakers Benz and BMW are active in using them.PiQuant is a Korean company that develops spectroscopy-based component detection and measurement devices and solutions, and has develope
The prosecution has launched a forcible investigation into Kyungbo Pharmaceutical, accused of providing billions of won in rebates to hospitals.The Food and Drug Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office (Chief Prosecutor Song Myung-sub) announced that they condu
For the first time in four years, business leaders from South Korea and China are meeting in Seoul to identify industries for cooperation between the two countries and to discuss future initiatives such as supply chain cooperation and carbon neutrality.The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC
Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) today announced key executive appointments for the second-half of the year 2023. Through the appointments, the Group aims to strengthen its leading position in future mobility solutions and innovations and better prepare for uncertainties in the global business enviro
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. She can be reached at eunsang.lee@nhqv.com -- Ed.While the domestic logistics center lease market is to recover gradually, we advise trimming back expectations toward lease market investment sentiment, noting mounting concerns over a general e