The operating profits of the four major domestic groups -- Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, and LG -- last year showed a decrease of over 65 percent compared to 2022.The Korea CXO Research Institute, specializing in corporate analysis, released a report containing the findings on April 24.Specifically, t
The exchange rate between the Korean won and the U.S. dollar has surged by more than 7 percent this year, surpassing the magnitude of the increase during the global financial crisis from 2008 to 2009.On April 19, the won-U.S. dollar exchange rate concluded trading at 1,382.2 won in the foreign excha
Among the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the South Korean won was revealed to be the fifth most undervalued, while among the Group of Twenty (G20) nations, it ranked as the fourth most undervalued.According to the Bank for International Settleme
On April 18, the KOSPI rebounded by nearly 2 percent, reclaiming the 2,600 level in just one day. The value of the Korean won and government bonds also rose. This was attributed to the somewhat calming effect on the U.S. dollar’s strength thanks to the joint verbal intervention by the finance minist
The amount of short-term foreign currency borrowings hastily acquired by banks alone has exceeded 4 trillion won. With the won-to-dollar exchange rate surpassing 1,400 won and reaching new highs, the risks associated with short-term foreign currency debts have also increased.According to business di
On the night of April 13 (local time), Iran launched retaliatory attacks against Israel, employing drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. This action is expected to lead to an escalation in international oil prices. In addition, the exchange rate of the Korean won against the U.S. dollar r
Despite positive signs in the Korean economy such as an increase in semiconductor exports, many growth rate forecasts are still in the low 2 percent range. One explanation is that low growth has stagnated while economic structural reforms have been stalled.According to the Ministry of Strategy and F
The proportion of foreign investors in the KOSPI market has risen back to the 35 percent range. With expectations of a recovery in the semiconductor industry, a key focus of the government’s “Corporate Value-Up Program,” foreign investors are seen actively opening their wallets.According to the Kore
Foreign investors are shedding their holdings in secondary stocks in each industry and concentrating on the top stocks. With the resurgence of confidence in the semiconductor sector, they are buying both the top and secondary stocks in the semiconductor industry, but their interest seems to be focus
On April 3, both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ indices began trading with declines of over 1 percent.With foreign capital inflows continuing throughout the year, the market capitalization share in the securities market has been steadily increasing. There are expectations that the optimism surrounding the gov
It has been revealed that South Korea’s foreign reserves in March increased by approximately US$3.5 billion compared to the previous month.On April 3, the Bank of Korea announced the “Foreign Reserves at the End of March.” According to this data, South Korea’s foreign reserves last month amounted to
In the first quarter of this year, the declaration amount for foreign direct investment (FDI) has once again set a new record, marking the highest figure to date. Significant increases in investments in advanced manufacturing sectors, particularly centered around China and Japan, are expected to con
The amount of debts owed by households and businesses in Korea was more than twice Korea’s gross domestic product (GDP). About half of the nation’s companies were unable to pay even interest on their debts with money they earned from sales, revealing their vulnerability.The ratio of private credit t
The 17-year trend of Japan’s persistent negative interest rates has come to an end, yet the market’s response remains tepid. This is attributed to assessments indicating difficulty in perceiving a full-fledged tightening. However, there are prospects suggesting that the yen may strengthen from the s
On March 21, the KOSPI index closed at 2,754.86, marking a significant increase of 64.72 points, or 2.41 percent, compared to the previous day’s closing.The KOSPI started at 2,731.18, up 41.04 points, or 1.53 percent, from the previous day’s closing, and it rose to 2,755.45 at one point during the t
It is forecast that both the economically active population and the employed population will enter a declining trend starting from 2028. To sustain economic growth, it is analyzed that an additional workforce of up to 900,000 people will be needed by 2032.On March 19, the Korea Employment Informatio
As the Bank of Japan (BOJ) has embarked on its first interest rate hike in 17 years, it is anticipated that the strengthening of the yen due to the lifting of Japan’s negative interest rates could have a positive impact on domestic exports such as semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding. Howev
The government is taking steps to solicit opinions from overseas financial institutions and investors regarding measures to improve the foreign exchange market structure and support corporate value-up initiatives.The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF) announced on March 10 that Shin Joong-beom,
Last year, South Korea’s gross national income (GNI) per capita reached US$33,000, marking a rebound for the first time in a year. The annual real gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate was recorded at 1.4 percent.According to the “2023 Preliminary 4th Quarter and Annual National Income” report re
The Hyundai Research Institute (HRI) has forecasted that the South Korean economy will enter a recovery phase after passing its lowest point this year.According to a report titled “Now is an Important Time to Form an Early Economic Cycle Bottom” released by the HRI on March 3, there is a high possib