Seoul shares soar over 2% on looming hopes for US rate cuts

South Korean shares shot up over 2 percent Tuesday as investors were buoyed by growing hopes that the U.S. Federal Reserve may carry out rate cuts this year. The local currency gained against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index jumped 57.73 points, or 2.16 percent, to close at 2,734.36. Trading volume was moderate at 523 million shares worth 10.9 trillion won ($8 billion), with winners outpacing losers 582 to 285. Investor sentiment was boosted by growing hope that t

MarketMay 7, 2024

Will China's self-sufficient dream in HBM come true?

With the US imposing strict trade restrictions on China's advanced semiconductors and chipmaking equipment, Beijing has been ramping up efforts to develop home-grown artificial intelligence chips to keep up with the global AI boom. Recently, the Chinese government and chipmakers have been working together to produce high-bandwidth memory chips, a crucial component in graphic processing units. With the backing of the government, the consortium led by Huawei aims to produce HBM2 by 2026. Indu

IndustryMay 7, 2024

NPS commits record W1.5tr for alternative investments

South Korea's National Pension Service will pour a record 1.5 trillion won ($1.1 billion) in alternative assets managed by external managers this year, the largest such allocation in the fund's history. The majority of the sum, 1 trillion won, will go to private equity funds, according to a recent announcement by the NPS, marking a 25 percent increase from the previous year. In 2023, the NPS allocated 800 billion won to private equity, with Macquarie Asset Management, IMM Private Equit

IndustryMay 7, 2024

Mirae Asset introduces high dividend yield ETF to China

Mirae Asset Global Investments, a leading asset manager based in Korea, announced on Tuesday its high dividend yield exchange-traded fund has been included in the Stock Connect Scheme, a program that allows mainland China investors access to certain eligible Hong Kong-listed ETFs. The Global X Hang Seng High Dividend Yield ETF, operated by the asset manager's Hong Kong branch, was included in the program on Monday. The ETF tracks shares with high dividend yields on the Hong Kong Stock Excha

IndustryMay 7, 2024

Hanwha to receive $140m in US tax credits with new solar panel plant

Hanwha Solutions will receive additional tax credits of about $140 million from the United States government this year as it has completed the construction of a solar module production plant in Georgia and recently begun operations there, the Korean company said Tuesday. According to Hanwha Qcells, Hanwha Solutions’ US solar energy subsidiary, the company completed the construction of solar module production lines at the Cartersville plant at the end of April. The site will be capable of p

IndustryMay 7, 2024

[KH Explains] Can tech firms' AI alliances take on Nvidia?

Tech firms have joined forces both domestically and globally to take on US chip giant Nvidia in the AI chip sector, which has enjoyed a near monopoly in the burgeoning market. An increasing number of global Big Tech companies are building their own AI ecosystems amid expectations for continuous growth in the sector, according to experts on Tuesday. While Nvidia has teamed up with SK hynix and TSMC to further strengthen its technical leadership in high-bandwidth memory chips, other tech firms are

TechnologyMay 7, 2024

LG CNS hosts contest for math optimization talents

LG CNS said Tuesday it will host a contest that targets talented individuals in the field of mathematical optimization for bundle deliveries. Co-organized with the Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers, Optimization Grand Challenge 2024 aims to nurture exceptional talents in mathematical optimization and foster broader social interest in the field. Mathematical optimization involves finding the most efficient solution by considering all possible scenarios under current resources and condition

TechnologyMay 7, 2024

Posco Future M unveils report on sustainable supply chain

To address increasing global concerns regarding ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility, domestic battery material manufacturer Posco Future M released its third Responsible Minerals Activity Report on Tuesday. The publication is a part of the company’s efforts to establish a sustainable supply chain for materials used in battery production, specifically the cathode and anode segments. It marks the continuation of a commitment initiated in 2021 when Posco Future M first outlined

IndustryMay 7, 2024

Dried seaweed prices skyrocket to highest-ever level

The wholesale price of gim, or dried seaweed, in South Korea in April nearly doubled from last year, rising to its highest-ever level. A 100-sheet package of gim was traded at an average of 10,089 won ($7.4) in April, soaring by 80.1 percent compared to the same month in 2023, according to the state-run Korea Maritime Institute. It was the first time that the wholesale price of gim surpassed the 10,000-won mark, and the institute projects that the price will keep climbing to 10,875 won by Octobe

ConsumerMay 7, 2024

[Photo News] Family fun

Korean Air hosted a Family Day event at its headquarters in Seoul over the weekend, welcoming employees and their families from Saturday to Monday. After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the firm's annual tradition resumed last year. This year's gathering saw some 13,000 attendees, including Delta Air Lines employees stationed at Korean Air's headquarters as part of their joint venture partnership. The hangar was transformed into a theme park to offer a variety of activities, compa

IndustryMay 7, 2024

[Photo News] Kia EV3

Kia on Tuesday released teaser images of the Kia EV3, the automaker's upcoming all-electric sports utility vehicle slated to hit the global market in the second half of this year. Kia expects the EV3, which will mark the Korean brand's third EV following the EV6 and EV9, to spearhead the mass adoption of EVs as it will be its most affordable model so far. The automaker will unveil the specifications of the EV3 through a global premiere on May 23. (Hyundai Motor Group)

MobilityMay 7, 2024

S. Korea notes industry concerns over US inquiry, proposed rules on connected vehicle supply chains

South Korea has raised its automotive industry's concerns with the United States over Washington's inquiry and envisioned rules to address potential security risks from "connected vehicles" that use technology from China and other countries of concern. On April 30, the South Korean government submitted its comments to the US Department of Commerce as the department has requested public feedback on its rule-making process designed to tackle those risks stemming from supply cha

IndustryMay 7, 2024

Seoul shares open higher on US rate cut hopes

South Korean shares opened higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, as investors were buoyed by looming hopes that the US Federal Reserve may slash key rates this year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 49.32 points, or 1.84 percent, to 2,725.95 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.46 percent higher, and the tech heavy Nasdaq rose 1.19 percent. The S&P 500 gained 1.03 percent In Seoul, top tech giant Sams

MarketMay 7, 2024

[Graphic News] Diesel vehicles rapidly lose luster

In the first quarter of this year, the proportion of domestically registered diesel cars fell below 10 percent for the first time. As more consumers in South Korea avoid diesel cars due to decarbonization regulations and the need to import urea for them mainly from China, the decline in sales is expected to accelerate this year. According to data from the Carisyou data research institute, a total of 39,939 diesel vehicles were registered in the domestic market during the first quarter of this

IndustryMay 7, 2024

Hanwha Life secures 40% stake in Indonesian lender

Hanwha Life, a major insurer under the Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group, is set to expand its presence in Southeast Asia, having secured a stake in Indonesia's Nobu Bank, according to the insurer on Monday. Hanwha Life acquired a 40 percent stake in Nobu Bank through a deal signed with Indonesia’s Lippo Group, a major conglomerate with businesses spanning Southeast Asia. The deal signing event was held in Jakarta on Friday, with Hanwha Life Vice Chair and CEO Yeo Seung-joo, its Presid

IndustryMay 6, 2024

Samsung SDI boasts e-bike leadership at China Cycle

Samsung SDI said Monday that it is showcasing its latest battery products, including cylindrical batteries, at this week’s China Cycle 2024, one of the largest bicycle and motorcycle exhibitions that is marking its 32nd year. The four-day event kicked off Sunday in Shanghai, with some 1,700 businesses joining, up 40 percent from a year ago. Under the slogan “Already, All Ready,” Samsung SDI introduces a diverse lineup of cylindrical batteries specifically designed for micro-mob

TechnologyMay 6, 2024

Chip up cycle won’t stay long: SK chief

The chairman of Korea's chip-to-battery conglomerate SK Group said the fate of semiconductor manufacturers will hinge on how smartly they can map out capital expenditure plans, as he believes the recent chip recovery would be short-lived. The earnings surprise that SK hynix, the group’s crown jewel and the world's second-largest memory chipmaker, logged in the first quarter raised hope that the industry has ended its down cycle after months of operating losses. SK Group Chairman

IndustryMay 6, 2024

Value-up program: Market disappointment does not mean a failure, just yet

The Korean government's corporate value enhancement guidelines revealed last week may have disappointed investors, yet experts believe there is room for improvement. After a three-month wait following the initial announcement of the corporate value-up program in February, the Financial Services Commission on Thursday issued several pages of guidelines detailing how companies should create their value enhancement plans and associated regulations. Under the guidelines, companies first select

EconomyMay 6, 2024

[Herald Interview] Hanatour CEO talks reshaping travel landscape

As the travel landscape undergoes profound transformations postpandemic, the golden era of traditional, large-scale travel agencies may be coming to an end. However, Hanatour, Korea's leading travel agency with more than three decades of experience, aims to defy the growing perception. Leveraging extensive tourism data both inbound and outbound, Hanatour CEO Song Mi-sun said the company is seeking ways to pioneer a new era of travel, defined by enhanced safety, efficiency and tailored trave

IndustryMay 6, 2024

Samsung mocks Apple over iPhone alarm glitch

Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics made a mockery of its rival Apple on social media last week, after some iPhone users came forward complaining that their alarms had failed to go off. In a post on Instagram, Samsung UK shared a dog meme alongside text that reads "Rest assured our alarms go off.” It also wrote, “Samsung users woke up on time today.” According to industry sources, some iPhone users recently complained on social media, including TikTok, of inconveniences

TechnologyMay 6, 2024