Journalist

Yang Boyeon
  • NH Investment & Securities Shifts to Co-CEO Structure, Citing Accountability
    NH Investment & Securities Shifts to Co-CEO Structure, Citing Accountability NH Investment & Securities said its board of directors met on the 24th and approved a change in its CEO management structure, shifting from a single-CEO system to a co-CEO system. The company said the move is intended to respond to its larger scale and more diversified business structure following its entry into the IMA (investment management account) business. It said it revamped its top management structure to enable faster, more efficient decision-making as capital markets grow. Under the co-CEO system, the firm plans to strengthen accountability centered on key business divisions and raise division-level expertise. It said the change is aimed at improving execution and speeding decisions, while linking growth in client assets with investment banking capabilities to reinforce its mid- to long-term growth foundation. The company said the board finalized the decision after several rounds of discussions, reflecting NH NongHyup Financial Group’s direction to upgrade governance at its subsidiaries. The board also reviewed expected benefits and potential risks from the shift and said it will put in place phased safeguards. An NH Investment & Securities official said the company will operate a firmwide coordination function and strengthen internal controls so an expertise-based accountability system works smoothly. The official added that while responsibilities by business division will be clearly defined, companywide risk management and customer protection standards will be kept consistent. The official said the change is a strategic choice to strengthen competitiveness over the mid to long term, not a short-term response, and that the company will use greater division expertise to connect expanding business opportunities to higher customer and shareholder value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 22:00:18
  • KOSDAQ IPO Filings Surge in April as Audit Season Ends
    KOSDAQ IPO Filings Surge in April as Audit Season Ends As the season for filing audited financial statements by December-closing companies winds down, South Korea’s initial public offering market is showing renewed momentum. Companies that had paused for year-end accounting work have moved in April to finalize listing preparations and file with the Korea Exchange. The exchange said on the 24th that 10 companies have filed preliminary review applications this month to list on the KOSDAQ market. Applicants since April include NeoSapience on April 22; Gido Industry on April 21; Brills and MS Bio on April 16; WisePlanet Company on April 15; Global Technology on April 13; MBD on April 10; Optonics on April 8; Creates on April 7; and HL Genomics on April 3. The pace marks a sharp pickup from the first quarter. From January through March, 12 companies filed for new listings, including SPAC survival mergers. That means nearly as many applications arrived in a single month as in the entire first quarter. The surge is closely tied to the common practice of closing books in December. To seek a preliminary listing review, companies generally must submit the latest financial statements and an external audit report. Because financial data are available only after the close is completed, firms typically wait until after March shareholder meetings and the disclosure of audit reports before moving ahead with IPO preparations. Global conditions have also improved. The worldwide IPO market has posted three straight years of growth in funds raised, showing a clear recovery. An EY research report said global IPO proceeds in the first quarter totaled about $40 billion, or roughly 55 trillion won. Securities firms expect the stronger global tone to support South Korea’s listing market, with activity likely to build into the second half of the year. The filing rush is expected to continue through the end of April. With an average of three to four companies submitting preliminary review applications each week this month, market watchers expect April’s total to easily exceed the first-quarter count of 12. Companies seeking technology-special listing status are also moving faster. One such company is expected to file a preliminary review application next week, adding to expectations that demand will remain strong through month’s end. Given that it typically takes about three months from a preliminary review application to a final listing, companies that filed in April could begin passing reviews and submitting securities registration statements in June and July, setting up a more active public subscription season. “More technology-special listing candidates are coming to market around this time,” an IPO industry official said. “After April, demand is likely to concentrate further among companies seeking to enter the market based on recognized technological growth potential rather than simple earnings.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 17:42:21
  • Brokerage Units Deliver First-Quarter Earnings Surprises for Korean Financial Groups
    Brokerage Units Deliver First-Quarter Earnings Surprises for Korean Financial Groups Brokerage subsidiaries of South Korean financial holding companies posted first-quarter earnings surprises, emerging as key profit engines as a strong stock market and broader revenue streams lifted results. According to the financial investment industry on Thursday, major brokerages including NH Investment & Securities, KB Securities and Shinhan Investment Corp. reported sharp year-on-year gains for the first quarter. NH Investment & Securities posted quarterly record results with revenue of 8.8976 trillion won, operating profit of 636.7 billion won and net profit of 475.7 billion won. The firm also reported rapid growth in high-net-worth clients: customers with at least 100 million won totaled 358,000, and those with at least 1 billion won totaled 24,000, both up by double-digit rates. KB Securities reported net profit of 350.2 billion won, up 92.8% from a year earlier. The company cited growth in client assets in wealth management and stronger competitiveness in investment banking, including debt capital markets and equity capital markets. Shinhan Investment Corp. reported operating profit of 386.4 billion won and net profit of 288.4 billion won, up 228.5% and 167.4%, respectively. The company posted broad-based growth across divisions, including investment banking and fees from financial products, alongside brokerage. The gains also showed up in holding-company results. KB Financial Group and Shinhan Financial Group both posted record first-quarter net profit, with their brokerage affiliates’ contributions rising to about 18.5% and 17.8%, respectively, the report said. Analysts said the figures point to a faster shift away from bank-centered earnings toward a more diversified nonbank portfolio. Differences among groups were also evident. Hana Securities reported first-quarter operating profit of 141.6 billion won and net profit of 103.3 billion won, up 47.9% and 37.1%, respectively. Hana Securities said higher fee income and increased sales of financial products in wealth management helped results, while investment banking benefited from a strategy focused on high-quality deals and performance in acquisition finance. It added that its sales and trading unit maintained competitiveness in issuing derivative-linked securities and focused on risk management amid volatile markets. Still, the brokerage unit’s contribution to the group is viewed as relatively limited compared with rival holding companies. Market participants said the results reflect not only a buoyant stock market but also structural change, as brokerages expand beyond commission-based trading into wealth management, investment banking and trading to generate steadier earnings during periods of volatility. For financial holding companies, the role of brokerages is expected to grow as interest-rate swings and tighter lending conditions limit reliance on bank net interest income, strengthening the influence of nonbank affiliates on group performance. “Brokerages have moved beyond being simple affiliates and have become core businesses that can shape holding-company results,” an industry official said. “Their presence within groups could grow further depending on platform competitiveness and stronger global investment-banking capabilities.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 16:48:22
  • Hana Securities Q1 Net Profit Rises 37.1% to 103.3 Billion Won
    Hana Securities Q1 Net Profit Rises 37.1% to 103.3 Billion Won Hana Securities said on Thursday it posted first-quarter consolidated operating profit of 141.6 billion won and net profit of 103.3 billion won. Operating profit rose 47.9% from a year earlier, and net profit increased 37.1%. The company said it sustained strong earnings by responding quickly across business lines despite a volatile market environment. In wealth management, it cited higher fee income amid a strong stock market and increased revenue from financial products as it expanded offerings during the market upswing. In investment banking, it said results improved as it focused on high-quality deals and also delivered gains in acquisition finance. In sales and trading, Hana Securities said it maintained its lead in issuing derivative-linked securities and prioritized risk management amid market swings tied to rapidly changing international conditions. A Hana Securities official said the company secured stable growth momentum by broadening profit foundations in its core businesses, adding that it will strengthen competitiveness through new businesses such as promissory note issuance while stepping up efforts to expand productive finance, including the supply of venture capital.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 16:21:16
  • KOSPI Ends Flat as Foreign Investors Sell; Profit-Taking Pauses Rally
    KOSPI Ends Flat as Foreign Investors Sell; Profit-Taking Pauses Rally South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI ended nearly unchanged Thursday as heavy foreign selling offset early gains, with investors taking profits after a sharp recent run-up. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed down 0.18 point, or 0%, at 6,475.63. It opened up 20.29 points, or 0.31%, at 6,496.10. Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, said large-scale net selling by foreign investors in the cash market, continuing from last week into this week, has been absorbing short-term supply and easing overheating concerns. He noted the index has surged more than 1,500 points, or over 30%, from its recent low. He also said expectations for talks to end the war between the United States and Iran had been priced in during the recent rise, while caution over the possibility of heightened geopolitical risks emerged over the weekend. “As the earnings season gets fully underway, sector rotation is likely to become more pronounced,” Lee said. In the main market, individuals and institutions were net buyers of 1.5066 trillion won and 646.1 billion won, respectively. Foreigners were net sellers of 2.1022 trillion won. Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics fell 2.23%, SK hynix slipped 0.24%, Hyundai Motor dropped 3.57% and SK Square lost 0.41%. LG Energy Solution rose 3.11%, Doosan Enerbility gained 3.67%, Hanwha Aerospace added 2.67%, Samsung Biologics rose 0.92% and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries climbed 4.68%. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ closed up 29.53 points, or 2.51%, at 1,203.94 after opening up 2.11 points, or 0.18%, at 1,176.42. In the KOSDAQ market, foreigners and institutions were net buyers of 806.5 billion won and 179.6 billion won, respectively, while individuals were net sellers of 963.8 billion won. Among KOSDAQ heavyweights, EcoPro BM rose 1.22%, Alteogen gained 3.22%, Rainbow Robotics added 2.00%, Samchundang Pharm jumped 8.29%, Lino Industrial rose 0.89%, ABL Bio gained 2.41% and Kolon TissueGene added 0.90%. EcoPro fell 0.38% and LigaChem Bio slipped 0.74%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 15:51:18
  • Hanwha Galleria hits limit-up on expectations for governance overhaul, new holding company
    Hanwha Galleria hits limit-up on expectations for governance overhaul, new holding company Hanwha Galleria hit the daily trading limit on expectations tied to a group governance overhaul and a planned new company. According to the Korea Exchange, Hanwha Galleria was trading at 3,340 won as of 9:53 a.m. on April 24 on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, up 770 won, or 29.96%, from the previous session, reaching the price limit. A day earlier, the Korea Exchange confirmed a positive preliminary review for the relisting of shares in Hanwha Machinery & Service Holdings (tentative name), a company Hanwha plans to create through a split-off. Hanwha plans to establish and relist Hanwha Machinery & Service Holdings through a spin-off to manage subsidiaries including Hanwha Vision and Hanwha Galleria and to pursue new investments. The planned establishment date is Aug. 1, with listing scheduled for Aug. 25. Separately, the newly created Tech · Life entity will be led by Kim Dong-seon, vice chairman of Hanwha Galleria. Hanwha said it approved the creation of Hanwha Machinery & Service Holdings at a board meeting in January to oversee tech affiliates including Hanwha Vision, Hanwha Momentum, Hanwha Semitec and Hanwha Robotics, as well as life affiliates including Hanwha Galleria, Hanwha Hotel & Resort and Ourhome.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 10:18:06
  • South Korea Stocks Mixed at Open as Foreign Selling Pushes Kospi Lower
    South Korea Stocks Mixed at Open as Foreign Selling Pushes Kospi Lower South Korean stocks traded mixed early Thursday, with the Kospi turning lower as foreign investors sold after a modestly higher open. As of 9:14 a.m., the Kospi was down 12.92 points, or 0.20%, at 6462.89, according to the Korea Exchange. The benchmark opened up 20.29 points, or 0.31%, at 6496.10 before reversing course. Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said the market was likely to face profit-taking pressure early in the session amid “fatigue” after a short-term peak, Middle East-related noise and weakness in U.S. stocks. She said that could limit gains during the day, while sector and stock rotation may continue on company-specific earnings events. Overnight, Wall Street ended lower after heightened Middle East military tensions fueled intraday volatility. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 179.71 points, or 0.36%, to 49,310.32. The S&P 500 dropped 29.50 points, or 0.41%, to 7,108.40, and the Nasdaq slid 219.06 points, or 0.89%, to 24,438.50. In the main board market, individuals and institutions were net buyers of 263.8 billion won and 86.5 billion won, respectively, while foreigners were net sellers of 344.4 billion won. Among large-cap shares, Samsung Electronics fell 2.00%, SK hynix slipped 0.33%, Hyundai Motor dropped 3.01%, SK Square fell 0.55% and Kia declined 2.08%. LG Energy Solution rose 1.93%, Doosan Enerbility gained 1.22%, Hanwha Aerospace jumped 5.68%, Samsung Biologics added 0.33% and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries climbed 2.18%. The Kosdaq was up 1.00 point, or 0.09%, at 1175.31 at the same time. It opened up 2.11 points, or 0.18%, at 1176.42. In the Kosdaq market, individuals were net buyers of 72.7 billion won, while foreigners and institutions were net sellers of 29.1 billion won and 33.7 billion won, respectively. Among top Kosdaq stocks, EcoPro BM rose 0.24%, Alteogen gained 0.42% and Samchundang Pharm climbed 2.11%. EcoPro fell 0.45%, Rainbow Robotics slipped 0.83% and Lino Industrial dropped 1.95%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 09:35:50
  • Mirae Asset Raises OCI Holdings Target Price on Expected SpaceX Partnership
    Mirae Asset Raises OCI Holdings Target Price on Expected SpaceX Partnership Mirae Asset Securities on Thursday raised its target price for OCI Holdings to 400,000 won from 270,000 won, citing expectations of a partnership with SpaceX and higher earnings estimates. It maintained a “buy” rating. Analyst Lee Jin-ho said rising U.S. power demand is expected to lift the value of generation assets and power purchase agreement, or PPA, prices, supporting higher expected sale prices for OCI Energy assets while also reflecting improvement in the company’s core business. He said the company’s medium- to long-term growth outlook and valuation appeal are becoming more prominent. Lee said the company’s polysilicon capacity expansion plan signals that cooperation with SpaceX is progressing smoothly, adding that its low production costs and ability to expand are strengths as non-China supply chains are needed. He said whether the company can secure cooperation with key customers in the U.S. solar market will shape the stock’s direction, and that OCI Holdings is in a favorable position as it scales up its business. Lee said results fell short of market expectations in the short term due to lower utilization at its polysilicon plant, but he expects earnings improvement to continue over the medium to long term on expansion and demand growth. He said the stock should remain his top pick in the sector.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 08:57:17
  • KOSPI Rally Lifts ‘Million-Won’ Shares to Nine; ESG AGM Concerns and Key Filings
    KOSPI Rally Lifts ‘Million-Won’ Shares to Nine; ESG AGM Concerns and Key Filings ◆Aju Economy Top News ▷‘Million-won’ shares jump from four to nine as stock rally accelerates -Amid a KOSPI rally, the number of so-called “emperor stocks” priced at 1 million won or more surged from four to nine in five months. -The KOSPI closed at 6,475.81, extending its record run to three straight sessions, and briefly topped 6,500 intraday. -Buying focused on sectors expected to benefit from the postwar period, including semiconductors and defense, helped drive gains. -Shares and target prices for major high-priced stocks, including Hyosung Heavy Industries, rose together, boosting market expectations. -Some analysts cautioned about the so-called “emperor stock curse,” saying the next move will depend on earnings and order momentum. ◆Key Report ▷ESG Snapshot: What we saw at annual shareholder meetings -The 2026 March annual general meeting season again highlighted limits on participation by minority shareholders as meetings clustered in a short period. -Despite mandatory cumulative voting, many proposals to amend corporate bylaws were voted down, leaving adoption sluggish. -The report attributed this in part to low direct participation and limited proxy submissions, which weakened the exercise of voting rights. -It also cited a structural problem: packed schedules make it difficult for shareholders to review agenda items thoroughly. -Experts urged stronger education on using electronic voting and proxy systems to expand minority shareholders’ ability to exercise their rights. ◆Major disclosures after the close (23rd) ▷BF Labs to be delisted after auditors refuse to issue an opinion; trading to be suspended for liquidation from the 27th ▷Hansol Iones: Q1 operating profit 7.1 billion won, down 40.2% from a year earlier ▷Multicampus: Q1 operating profit 600 million won, down 86.4% from a year earlier ▷Organic Cosmetic: largest shareholder changed from Im Guk-gang to SUN YANE ▷Haesung Industrial fined 49 billion won by the Fair Trade Commission ▷East Asia Holdings changes company name to ‘Deep Commerce’ ◆Fund flows (as of the 22nd, excluding ETFs) ▷Domestic equity funds: -1.0 billion won ▷Overseas equity funds: -2.4 billion won ◆Key events today (24th) ▷Japan: Consumer Price Index (March) ▷U.K.: Retail sales (March) ▷Germany: Ifo business climate index ▷U.S.: Consumer sentiment index (April, final)* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 07:52:21
  • NH Investment & Securities posts record quarterly profit as net income jumps 128.5%
    NH Investment & Securities posts record quarterly profit as net income jumps 128.5% NH Investment & Securities said in a regulatory filing on the 23rd that its first-quarter operating profit rose 120.3% from a year earlier to 636.7 billion won. Net income climbed 128.5% to 475.7 billion won, the company’s highest quarterly result on record. Annualized return on equity was 19.6%. Brokerage and financial products led the gains. Brokerage benefited from a surge in trading on South Korea’s stock market. First-quarter brokerage commission revenue jumped 57.4% from the previous quarter to 349.5 billion won. Domestic stock entrusted assets totaled 316 trillion won and contract value reached 850 trillion won, up 17.6% and 91.4%, respectively, from the prior quarter. Market share rose 0.5 percentage point to 10.7%, the company said, citing a jump in average daily trading value for domestic stocks to 66.8 trillion won, up 80.5% from the previous quarter. Fees from selling financial products rose 87.7% to 49.1 billion won as sales of investment products such as wrap accounts and funds increased. Total financial product assets were 173 trillion won, unchanged from the previous quarter. The number of high-net-worth clients rose to 358,000 with at least 100 million won and 24,000 with at least 1 billion won, up 15.2% and 13.6%. In investment banking, quarterly fee revenue was 97.2 billion won. The firm kept the top spot in equity capital markets underwriting with a 30.9% share and ranked first in IPO underwriting with a 37.4% share. It also maintained an industry-leading 32.0% share as lead manager for credit card and other specialty finance bonds, it said, and completed large deals including IPOs for K Bank and Inventera and refinancing for a collateralized loan tied to the Seoul International Finance Center, or SIFC. In the investment management business, investment gains and related net interest income rose 21.5% from the previous quarter to 424.2 billion won. The company reported 243.0 billion won in investment gains and 181.2 billion won in related net interest income, citing strategic asset allocation despite rising interest rates. Net interest income tied to wealth management rose 8.1% to 127.4 billion won on higher average customer deposits and average securities lending balances. Chief Executive Officer Yoon Byeong-woon said the record quarter reflected broad-based growth across the company. “We will foster IMA as a new core growth engine, while working to ensure the capital market can contribute to real-economy growth through productive finance,” Yoon said. He added that the company would strengthen enterprise-wide risk management amid uncertainty, including Middle East-driven geopolitical risks and greater volatility in interest rates and exchange rates, and “establish ourselves as a securities firm trusted by both shareholders and customers.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 18:19:42