Bank of Korea July Preview: First Rate Hike Since 2023 Expected on July 16
The Bank of Korea meets July 16 with consensus for a 25bp hike to 2.75% — the first increase since January 2023. What it means for the won, banks, and the SKHY premium.
SK Hynix (SKHY) Options Start Trading This Week: What US Investors Should Know
SKHY options are expected to start trading around July 14. The ADR's ~15% premium to Seoul shares, unresolved conversion rules, and what US investors should watch.
EcoPro BM Completes Global Roadshow to Defend KRW 1.2T Rights Offering, Reveals Two-Phase Indonesia Nickel Plan Covering 1.5 Million EVs
EcoPro BM wrapped a seven-day global investor roadshow defending its KRW 1.2T rights offering with a two-phase Indonesia nickel strategy that secures 65,000 t/y — enough for 1.5 million EVs — via an existing Sulawesi smelter license that Indonesia has since frozen to new entrants.
Shinhan (055550.KS) Chair Flies to London With Value-Up Plan
Shinhan Financial Group (055550.KS), one of South Korea's four largest financial holding companies, sent the chair of its board of directors—not its chief execu
CXMT's DRAM Share Triples to 8% as Apple Weighs China-Sold iPhone Deal — Samsung and SK Hynix's Commodity Edge Faces New Test
China's CXMT grew its global DRAM market share from 3% to 8% in Q1 2026 while Apple reportedly evaluates CXMT chips for China-sold iPhones. Samsung and SK Hynix are accelerating KRW 400 trillion Gwangju fab investments, but new capacity won't arrive until H2 2027.
KB Financial (105560.KS) Maps AI-Led 2027-2029 Strategy
KB Financial Group (105560.KS), Korea's most profitable financial holding company — 2025 net profit of KRW 5.84 trillion (approximately USD 4.26 billion) — used
Samsung (005930.KS) ₩46T HBM Plant Clears Fast-Track Permit
Asan City, a manufacturing hub in South Chungcheong province about 90 km south of Seoul, said this week it has opened fast-track permitting for Samsung Electron
Hanwha Pushes KAI Stake to 12.4% With ₩500 Billion Top-Up, Reviving Debate Over Korea's Only Fighter Jet Maker
Hanwha Group raised its KAI stake to 12.44% with a ₩500 billion purchase on July 8, extending a systematic accumulation that began in November 2025 and reigniting debate over privatization of Korea's sole integrated aircraft manufacturer, which posted record Q1 revenue of ₩1.09 trillion.
Korea's Financial Giants Enter Crypto as Mirae Asset Clears Korbit Deal While Naver-Dunamu Tie-Up Stalls
Korea's FTC approved Mirae Asset Consulting's ₩133.5B (92.06%) acquisition of Korbit on July 9, marking Korea's first financial conglomerate takeover of a licensed crypto exchange. Meanwhile, Naver Financial's ₩15.1T deal for Upbit operator Dunamu has been pushed to a December 31 deadline amid antitrust and regulatory uncertainty.
TPG Wins Exclusive Bid for Lotte Rental Stake as Global PE Firms Circle Korea's Rental Car Market
TPG has won exclusive due diligence rights for a 61.21% controlling stake in Lotte Rental (089860.KS), Korea's second-largest car rental company, at over KRW 1 trillion (~USD 662 million). The deal beat out KKR, Carlyle, EQT, and Bain Capital. Affinity Equity Partners was blocked by the FTC due to its existing ownership of SK Rent-a-Car.
Korea Pivots Back to LNG as AI Chip Clusters Create 6.3 GW Electricity Gap
South Korea is reversing course on natural gas policy, potentially raising LNG's share of the power mix to meet the 6.3 GW electricity demand from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix's planned semiconductor cluster. KOGAS and KEPCO are the primary listed beneficiaries of the policy shift.
BGF Retail Posts Best Q1 Operating Profit in Five Years as CU Convenience Fee Margins Recover
BGF Retail (282330.KS), operator of Korea largest convenience store chain CU, posted Q1 2026 operating profit of KRW 38.1 billion, up 68.6% year-on-year, on revenue of KRW 2,120.4 billion. Net income more than doubled to KRW 29.3 billion, a 119% increase.