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Archive by category Financial Market

Private Equity Funds Emerge as Power Players in South Korean Business, 20 Years After Introduction

SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – Two decades after their introduction to South Korea, Private Equity Funds (PEFs) have transformed from behind-the-scenes investors into influential powerbrokers wielding control over industries ranging from heavy manufacturing to fast-food chains. These once-reclusive investors, who previously surfaced only for occasional mega-mergers, now command a significant presence across South Korea’s business landscape, [...]

South Korean Companies See ROE Halve Despite Government Push for Value Enhancement

SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – Despite the government’s initiatives to boost corporate value, the return on equity (ROE) of South Korea’s top companies has plummeted over the past three years, with average ROE nearly halving. ROE, a critical metric for evaluating value enhancement, measures net income relative to shareholder equity, reflecting how effectively a [...]

Lotte Group Unveils Aggressive Measures to Address Liquidity Concerns

SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – Lotte Group announced a sweeping set of initiatives on November 28 to address liquidity concerns and improve financial stability. The measures include revaluing land assets, divesting underperforming properties, and scaling back investments. As part of its strategy, Lotte is also considering exiting poorly performing overseas duty-free locations. During an [...]

Private Equity Shifts Perception in South Korea Amid Governance Reform Efforts

SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – For years, private equity funds (PEFs) were synonymous in South Korea with “predatory capital” and “corporate raiders,” drawing criticism for prioritizing short-term profits over corporate health. The perception stemmed from practices such as aggressive cost-cutting, asset sales, and layoffs, which were viewed as tactics to maximize returns at the [...]

Rising Luxury Car Ownership Drives Insurance Premiums Higher Despite Fewer Accidents

SEOUL, Nov. 25 (Korea Bizwire) – Following the devastating Mercedes-Benz EQE fire in an Incheon apartment complex parking garage last August, which damaged approximately 800 vehicles, concerns about rising auto insurance premiums have become reality, even as traffic accidents and fatalities decline. According to the Korea Automobile Citizens’ Association, traffic fatalities have dropped by half, from [...]

Major Korean Conglomerates Sell Core Assets Amid Economic Uncertainty

SEOUL, Nov. 21 (Korea Bizwire) – As global economic uncertainties persist, South Korea’s largest conglomerates are intensifying efforts to secure cash reserves, even divesting profitable core businesses and world-leading operations to strengthen their financial positions and fund future investments. According to industry sources on November 20, major business groups are actively selling profitable subsidiaries and flagship [...]

Credit Card Loans Hit Record High Amid Tightened Bank Lending and Sluggish Consumption

SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – Outstanding credit card loans have risen sharply to reach an all-time high as of end-October amid tight lending regulations by banks and weak domestic demand, data showed Wednesday. Outstanding loans extended by nine major credit card firms amounted to 42.22 trillion won (US$30.25 billion) as of end-October, the largest [...]

Samsung Shares Continue Slide as Foreign Investors Lead Selloff

SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – Samsung Group shares, long considered a cornerstone of South Korean investing, continued their downward trajectory as foreign and institutional investors led a significant selloff, while retail investors moved to buy the dip. Market analysts suggest that despite current undervaluation, a quick recovery appears unlikely. On November 13, Samsung Electronics closed [...]

Korean Retail Investors Strike Gold with Tesla as Trump’s Victory Sparks Rally

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – Lee, a 32-year-old office worker from Incheon, has been waking up in the middle of the night to check his investment portfolio, often exclaiming “Thank you, Musk” before falling back asleep. His enthusiasm stems from a remarkable turnaround in his 10-million-won investment in Tesla, which had previously plunged 30% amid [...]

South Korean Markets Often Slump on College Entrance Exam Day, Analysis Shows

SEOUL, Nov. 10 (Korea Bizwire) – As South Korea prepares for its annual College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), market analysts are noting a peculiar pattern: the stock market tends to perform poorly on the day of the crucial national exam. The phenomenon, which has caught the attention of South Korea’s financial sector, is largely attributed to [...]