February 14 (Friday) News Headline
- seoultribune
- 2월 16일
- 4분 분량
Economy
U.S. CPI Exceeds Expectations… Impact on the Korean Economy?
U.S. January CPI surpasses both headline and core market expectations, reigniting inflation concerns.
U.S. Department of Labor: "Energy prices led inflation surge," while the market views it as broad-based rather than isolated spikes.
Fed rate cut expectations shrink significantly, with a March rate hold now seen as a given.
KB Securities: "Changing inflation environment may ease tariff concerns… Positive for Korean exports, limited impact on exchange rates."
Market Shaken by Trump Tariff Shock… Where Has 2 Trillion KRW Flowed in a Month?
2 trillion KRW ‘parked’ in ultra-short-term bond funds.
Inflows tripled compared to the previous week.
Growing concerns over Trump’s tariff war drive investors to ultra-short-term bonds as a ‘safe haven.’
The ‘Buldak’ Phenomenon Takes the World by Storm… Samyang Surpasses Nongshim
Achieves highest operating profit in company history, exceeding 300 billion KRW for the first time.
Nongshim still leads in revenue, but Samyang Foods’ sales reach half of Nongshim’s.
Korean Air-Asiana Mileage Conversion Ratio to Be Announced in March… 1:1 Exchange Possible?
Korean Air’s consulting results expected in March, with final proposal to be submitted to the Fair Trade Commission by June.
Precedents in U.S. airlines suggest 1:1 exchange to prevent customer attrition versus potential unfair advantages.
Beyond ‘XX Pay’—Is the Era of ‘Facial Payment’ Here?
Toss set to launch facial payment system in March, with major convenience store chains expected to adopt it.
High registration convenience and device distribution boost prospects, but security concerns and user resistance remain key challenges.
Finance
Trump & Martial Law Fears Spark ‘Stock Market Exodus’… 19 Trillion KRW Shifted to Liquid Deposits
Broad money supply (M2) surged by 40.5 trillion KRW in December, with growth accelerating.
Market volatility drives investors to cash reserves, reducing fixed-term savings.
1.3 Quadrillion KRW Ukraine Reconstruction Market Set to Open… Construction, Machinery, and Petrochemicals to Benefit
If reconstruction begins, construction and machinery sectors expected to benefit the most.
Companies seeking opportunities through local networks.
Petrochemical sector to see indirect benefits from increased demand.
Gold Prices Soar, Gold Bar Sales Halted… But Why is the Bank of Korea Staying Passive?
Low liquidity, high volatility, and past experiences of sharp price crashes contribute to hesitancy.
Watching Exchange Rates for Bargain Buying… Government Bonds Stay Flat with 1bp Fluctuations
Foreign investors buy 3-year government bond futures.
3-year government bond yield turns lower intraday.
USD/KRW exchange rate falls below 1,450 intraday.
Market monitors government responses regarding supplementary budget discussions in the National Assembly.
Money Supply in December Reaches 4,183 Trillion KRW… ‘Investment-Ready Capital’ Surges
Broad money supply increases for 19 consecutive months.
Largest increase in over two years.
Corporations
LIG Nex1 Showcases ‘K-Air Defense System’ in the Middle East, from L-SAM to LAMD
Demonstrates next-generation defense solutions, reinforcing confidence in K-defense in the Middle East.
Former POSCO Chairman Kwon Oh-joon: ‘Steel Demand Will Continue for 100 Years’
"Demand remains strong in countries with over 100 million people, such as India and Indonesia."
"Technology to reduce carbon emissions exists, but cost management is a challenge."
Lubricants Kept Refining Industry Afloat… ‘Big 4’ Dominate in Profitability
Mainstay refining and petrochemical sectors struggled.
SK, S-Oil, and GS saw lubricant divisions outperform overall corporate earnings.
RedCapTour Posts Record Operating Profit of 43.6 Billion KRW in 2023
Breaks earnings records for the third consecutive year.
Reduces debt to strengthen financial stability.
Electricity Price Hikes: ‘Minimal Impact on TSMC’… What About Samsung & SK Hynix?
Electricity cost burden continues to rise for Samsung and SK Hynix.
Adverse effects on profitability and production efficiency expected.
Real Estate
Apartment Prices Soar Overnight… Gangnam ‘Rebound Boom’ Begins?
Lotte, Elite, and Jamsil complexes see price hikes following deregulation of land transaction permits.
Mok-dong and Yeouido follow suit, defying expectations.
‘Buying & Selling Homes on Secondhand Apps’… But Is It Really Safe?
Direct real estate transactions surge, but false listings become a major issue.
Ministry of Land vows strict monitoring, yet only recommends real-name verification.
Critics argue, "Consumers are left to fend for themselves, not protected."
Collusion in Apartment System Furniture Bidding… 20 Companies Caught
190 bids worth 332.4 billion KRW manipulated.
Fair Trade Commission imposes corrective orders and 18.3 billion KRW in fines.
Housing Market Weakens… Prices & Transaction Volumes Decline
January home prices fell 0.12% MoM, marking two consecutive months of decline.
December nationwide home sales dropped 6.5% MoM, remaining below 50,000 units for the second month.
January nationwide jeonse (long-term rental) prices rose 0.01% MoM.
Despite lower supply, unsold apartments increase sharply.
Seoul Apartment Prices Maintain Upward Trend… ‘Gangnam Deregulation Hopes Reflected’
Korea Real Estate Agency’s second-week February report shows nationwide prices down 0.04%, but Seoul’s Gangnam sees a seller’s market.
Jeonse prices also rise in school district areas in Seoul.
Society
‘Drug Clinic’ Scandal in Cheongdam-dong… Even National Athletes Involved
15 medical staff and 100 clients charged.
Baseball player Oh Jae-won among those involved.
Doctors even self-administered drugs.
Events included ‘birthday parties’ and ‘release from prison celebrations.’
Mandatory Psychological Testing for Teachers Sparks Controversy
Political parties debate the ‘Haneuli Act.’
Ruling party: "Immediate removal for signs of mental health issues."
Opposition: "Mandatory review before reinstatement."
Concerns about ‘depression stigma’ emerge.
Minister of Education: ‘Medical School Education Must Return to Normal… Strict Measures for Absenteeism’
Holds discussions with medical school presidents.
Declares forcing students to take leave is a crime.
Capsized Fishing Boat Rescues Two… But Frequent Accidents Raise Alarm
Two missing crew members recovered off Pyoseon, Jeju.
Fishing boats venturing further due to declining fish stocks.
Climate change increases sudden waves and maritime accidents.
Warm Weekend with Rain in Southern Regions… Temperature Drop from Monday
Dry and windy conditions in the east, with high waves at sea.
International
Tariff War Puts Trump’s ‘Inflation Pledge’ to the Test
Trump, who promised price stability on Day 1, blames Biden for inflation.
U.S. officials lower expectations as inflation remains persistent.
U.S. Intel: ‘Israel May Strike Iran’s Nuclear Facilities This Year… Trump Likely to Approve’
U.S. intelligence reports suggest weakened Iranian military increases strike likelihood.
Israeli officials advocate for preemptive action.
Trump keeps military options open while focusing on diplomatic pressure.
Canada & EU Discuss Joint Response to ‘Trump Tariffs’
Canada and the EU, emphasizing sovereignty and economic security, seek coordinated action.
Toxic Waste from Wildfires Sparks Debate in LA
Lithium-ion batteries and toxic chemicals moved to temporary facilities.
Local residents protest environmental injustice.
Taiwan Aligns with Trump’s Semiconductor Policy… China Warns of ‘Increased Dependency on U.S.’
Trump hints at 100% tariffs on Taiwanese semiconductors.
Taiwan delegation to visit U.S. next week.
China warns Taiwan’s industrial foundation is at risk.
Seoul Tribune (c)
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