Recent data indicates that the number of mid-sized companies playing a crucial role as the “backbone” of the domestic economy increased by nearly 100 last year. Both the total revenue and operating profit of mid-sized companies saw an increase of around 10% compared to the previous year, and investm
A recent study has revealed that the debt of small business owners has increased more than their revenue on average.The Small and Medium Business Administration conducted a regular survey in 2022 targeting 65,000 small business enterprises. According to the results, the average annual revenue per bu
The South Korean automotive industry has experienced a year of contrasts in 2023. In the first 11 months, the sector achieved its highest ever performance, but the fortunes of individual companies have varied significantly. Hyundai, Kia, and GM Korea continued to grow, leveraging their leading model
The Supreme Court’s ruling that it is not illegal to have employees work more than 52 hours in a week, regardless of the number of hours worked per day, is expected to allow small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to make their working hours more flexible and cut labor costs.On Dec. 25, the Suprem
Samsung Electronics has postponed the start of mass production at its new semiconductor factory in Taylor, Texas, to the year after next. Initially, mass production was expected to begin by next year. The delay is speculated to be due to issues related to U.S. government subsidies and various permit
According to the International Contractors Association of Korea (ICAK) on Dec. 25, the total value of construction contracts in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has reached US$8.38 billion from the beginning of the year to the end of November this year, mar
Dong-A Socio Group’s specialty drug affiliate, Dong-A ST, will enter the ADC market through the acquisition of an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) linker platform company. ADCs are a treatment that combines an antibody that combines a target antigen with a cytotoxic drug as a linker and is known for it
The South Korean government is considering applying antitrust regulations following abrupt price hikes by major content platforms such as YouTube and Netflix.A senior ruling party official stated in a media interview on Dec. 21, “A 40% hike in consumer prices at once is a kind of monopolistic abuse.
Germany’s abrupt suspension of subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs) sold in the country is puzzling South Korea’s auto industry, which exports electric vehicles to the region. This along with France’s plan to reorganize its EV subsidies to measure carbon emissions and provide differential subsidies
The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) of Korea has decided to promote the enactment of a platform competition promotion act, which will designate large platforms that dominate the market as market dominators and prohibit them from engaging in unfair competition practices such as getting preferential treat
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at ys.jung@nhqv.com -- Ed.Moving ahead, we expect to see further structural strengthening in CJ Logistics’ profitability, powered by a combination of higher parcel delivery volume, a widening sales portion for small parcels,
Recent data reveals that less than 1 percent of the South Korean population, specifically the top wealth holders, possess nearly 60 percent of the total financial assets of all households. Their combined financial assets amount to 2,747 trillion won (US$2.11 trillion), with real estate assets reachi
Samsung Electronics, once the world’s No. 1 research and development (R&D) company, has slipped to seventh place. The number of Korean companies in the top 2,500 global R&D companies has also dropped.Samsung’s R&D investment in 2022 amounted to 18.435 billion euros (US$20.083 billion), pulling down
Park Jung-won, chairman of Doosan Group, will attend the world’s largest consumer electronics and IT trade show, CES 2024, to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the U.S., from Jan. 9 to 12.According to Doosan Group on Dec. 17, Chairman Park, along with Vice Chairman Park Ji-won and other executives, w
POSCO Holdings has succeeded in localizing electrodialysis membranes, a key component for lithium extraction, with a small but promising Korean company.On Dec. 14, POSCO Holdings and WSK announced that they signed a business agreement to jointly develop electrodialysis membranes for lithium producti
As the shareholder meeting season approaches in March next year, activist funds are gearing up for more assertive actions. Some stocks targeted by activist funds are experiencing price fluctuations in anticipation of the resolution of undervaluation. The securities industry is anticipating that shar
LS Group’s carbon free electricity (CFE) business is gaining momentum. The sub-subsidiary of LS Group, a company specializing in environmentally friendly core materials and components, has seen a sharp increase in its corporate value.According to the Korea Exchange on Dec. 13, LS Materials’ stock cl
Offshore plants, the main cause of the shipbuilding industry’s prolonged recession, are making a comeback. Demand for offshore plants is changing from oil to eco-friendly energy such as offshore wind power and liquefied natural gas (LNG). It is expected to become a new growth driver for Korean shipb
Starting on Dec. 14, the foreign investor registration system, which was considered one of the causes of the “Korea Discount,” or the undervaluation of the South Korean stock market, will be abolished.According to the financial investment industry on Dec. 12, the “Enforcement Decree of the Capital M
K-beauty companies are gaining tremendous popularity in the Japanese market, surpassing beauty powerhouse France. Leveraging cost-effectiveness and product quality, these companies are showcasing their presence across both online and offline markets, offering a range of products from basic skincare