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  • SK Innovation E&S Imports Ultra-Light Oil from Australia for the First Time
    SK Innovation E&S Imports Ultra-Light Oil from Australia for the First Time SK Innovation E&S is set to import ultra-light oil sourced from the Barossa gas field in Australia, marking the first instance of a private company bringing in ultra-light oil from overseas resource development.On July 27, SK Innovation E&S announced that it plans to bring in 300,000 barrels of ultra-light oil produced at the Barossa gas field through Incheon Port in early August. The ultra-light oil secured by SK Innovation E&S from the Barossa gas field represents 1.1 million barrels of its annual production share of 3 million barrels, with the 300,000 barrels being the first shipment to the domestic market.In addition to ultra-light oil, SK Innovation E&S is also set to import 1.3 million tons of LNG from the Barossa gas field annually starting this year, contributing to the domestic natural gas supply. This amount accounts for approximately 3% of South Korea's annual LNG imports.Ultra-light oil, also known as condensate, is a lightweight liquid crude oil produced alongside natural gas. It is lighter than conventional crude oil and evaporates easily, containing significant amounts of naphtha, a key ingredient in the production of plastics and synthetic fibers, which may help stabilize naphtha supply.The imported ultra-light oil will be processed at SK Incheon Petrochemical's dedicated facilities. The naphtha extracted from this process will be utilized in the production of high-value chemical products such as paraxylene (PX) and petroleum products like gasoline and jet fuel, enhancing the company's overall cost competitiveness.The Barossa gas field is a large gas field located offshore in northwestern Australia. SK Innovation E&S has been involved in this project since 2012, participating in all stages of development, from resource evaluation to permitting and facility construction. The ownership structure of the gas field includes SK Innovation E&S with 37.5%, Santos of Australia with 50%, and Japan's JERA with 12.5%.With the Barossa project yielding results after 14 years, SK Innovation E&S will be able to import 1.1 million barrels of ultra-light oil and 1.3 million tons of LNG annually. Considering the 20-year contract period for the Barossa project, the resources secured by SK Innovation E&S will total 22 million barrels of ultra-light oil and 26 million tons of LNG.An SK Innovation E&S official stated, "The Barossa project is a case where a private company has participated in overseas resource development from a long-term perspective, connecting actual commercial production to domestic import. Utilizing LNG and ultra-light oil produced from the Barossa gas field is significant in reducing external resource dependence and supporting the stability of domestic industry supply."Meanwhile, on July 14, SK Innovation held a kickoff and boot camp for the final selected teams of its 'AI Impact Solution' project at the SK Serin Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 08:24:00
  • Bitcoin Rises to $65,000 as U.S.-Iran Tensions Ease
    Bitcoin Rises to $65,000 as U.S.-Iran Tensions Ease As tensions between the U.S. and Iran show signs of easing, the prices of major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, have risen. This increase is attributed to a recovery in risk appetite, fueled by falling international oil prices and optimism about a rebound in the U.S. stock market.According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin was trading at $65,358 as of 8 a.m. on July 27, reflecting a 1.59% increase from the previous day.The price of Ethereum rose by 3.90% to $1,949. Binance Coin (BNB) and Solana also saw gains of 1.09% and 2.90%, respectively, trading at $575 and $76. Ripple (XRP) increased by 1.11% to $1.11.The easing of tensions between the U.S. and Iran has led to a slight reduction in the preference for safe-haven assets, allowing for a recovery in the appetite for riskier investments. Analysts suggest that the decline in global oil prices and a reduction in uncertainty in the financial markets have contributed to increased buying interest in major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.As of 8 a.m. on the same day, Bitcoin was trading at approximately 95,147,000 won ($65,449) on the domestic exchange Bithumb, marking a 0.74% increase from the previous day. The 'Kimchi premium' stood at -0.389%, indicating that the price of Bitcoin in South Korea is lower than that in international markets.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 08:24:00
  • Oil Prices Plunge 5% as U.S. and Iran Halt Attacks; U.S. Stock Futures Rise
    Oil Prices Plunge 5% as U.S. and Iran Halt Attacks; U.S. Stock Futures Rise International oil prices plummeted while U.S. stock index futures rose as the U.S. and Iran temporarily halted attacks for the first time in nearly two weeks.According to Investing.com, as of 7:58 a.m. Korean time on July 27, the spot price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell by $5.48 (6.14%) to $83.76 per barrel. Brent crude futures also dropped by $4.19 (4.57%) to $87.49 per barrel.In contrast, U.S. stock index futures showed strength. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose by 230 points (0.44%) to 52,354.00. The Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 futures increased by 46.25 points (0.62%) to 7,493.75, while the Nasdaq 100 futures climbed by 336.25 points (1.19%) to 28,618.50.Over the weekend, the U.S. and Iran ceased mutual attacks, marking the first simultaneous halt to the retaliatory strikes that had been occurring daily for nearly two weeks. This development has raised hopes that diplomatic efforts by intermediary countries could lead the U.S. and Iran back to the negotiating table.According to the Associated Press, an anonymous regional official involved in the mediation process indicated that both sides are exploring a return to a temporary ceasefire agreement that fell through earlier this month.U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, stated in an interview with Fox News that President Donald Trump has refrained from further attacks to create some space for negotiations. He noted, "The president is allowing for a bit of room for negotiations," but did not disclose specific details.Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, told MarketWatch that the U.S. government appears to have reached a point where repeating the same type of attacks yields diminishing returns. He added, "Allowing for diplomacy may be an attempt to prevent the political burden of rising oil prices due to war risks from escalating in the U.S." 2026-07-27 08:12:00
  • Hanwha Investment & Securities Lowers Kias Target Price Amid Disappointing New Car Sales
    Hanwha Investment & Securities Lowers Kia's Target Price Amid Disappointing New Car Sales Hanwha Investment & Securities announced on July 27 that while Kia's global sales competitiveness remains strong, the impact of new car launches has fallen short of expectations, prompting a reduction in the target price from 290,000 won to 280,000 won. The investment rating remains 'buy.'Kim Seong-rae, a researcher at Hanwha Investment & Securities, stated, "In the second quarter, sales reached 33.2 trillion won, aligning with market expectations, but operating profit was 2.629 trillion won, falling below consensus. Despite the expansion of eco-friendly vehicle sales and an increase in average selling prices (ASP), heightened competition in North America and Europe led to increased incentives and a disappointing mix effect from new car launches, limiting profitability improvements."Kia reported a global wholesale sales volume of 852,000 units in the second quarter, a 4.5% increase compared to the same period last year. Sales of eco-friendly vehicles surged to 296,000 units, marking a 60% increase and achieving the highest quarterly revenue. Notably, global electric vehicle sales reached 110,000 units, an 88.4% increase year-on-year, driven by the launch of the EV2.However, the increase in incentives due to intensified competition in North America and Europe amounted to 723 billion won, and despite the launch of key new models like the Telluride and EV2, a negative mix effect of 178 billion won was observed, resulting in operating profit that fell short of market expectations.Kim forecasts that sales growth and revenue increases will continue in the second half of the year, supported by an expanded new car cycle. He anticipates wholesale sales to reach 3.26 million units this year, projecting annual revenue to exceed the company's guidance at 126.9 trillion won, factoring in ASP increases and exchange rate effects. However, he noted that the mix effect from demand slowdown in North America and Europe, along with increased incentives for budget electric vehicles, may be weaker than initially expected.He added, "To achieve the annual operating profit guidance, improving the mix through increased sales of North American SUVs such as the Telluride, Sportage, and Seltos, as well as hybrids (HEVs), will be crucial in the second half. Additionally, the impact of tariffs is expected to be less significant than last year, contributing to profitability improvements."Furthermore, he mentioned, "With SoftBank's exercise of its put option, the indirect stake through HMG Global in BYD is expected to rise from 17.2% to 19.1%. The progress in the commercialization development of Atlas using RMAC in August is also expected to alleviate concerns regarding the mobility business value."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 08:04:00
  • Hana Securities Lowers Hyundai Mobis Target Price Amid Delays in Electrification
    Hana Securities Lowers Hyundai Mobis Target Price Amid Delays in Electrification Hana Securities has reduced its target price for Hyundai Mobis from 770,000 won to 680,000 won, reflecting delays in the turnaround of its electrification division and a decline in the value of its affiliated companies. However, the firm maintained its 'buy' rating, considering the growth potential of the automotive parts business and the expansion possibilities in robotics.In a report released on July 27, analyst Song Seon-jae noted that Hyundai Mobis' second-quarter performance exceeded expectations, driven by profitability in the module and core components sectors and improved margins in the after-service (AS) segment.He stated, "In the second half of the year, cost pressures will increase due to rising raw material prices and shipping costs, as well as expanded operating losses in India. However, profitability can be defended due to increased production from clients, favorable exchange rates, and mix effects. The steady growth of the automotive parts business, the rising value of its stake in Boston Dynamics (BD), and securing future growth drivers through robotics components will support the stock's upward momentum," he analyzed.Additionally, he projected that the second half of the year will see the supply of prototype robotic actuators, the establishment of a value chain, and the construction of factories, which will positively impact the expansion of items such as grippers, sensors, and battery modules.Song also mentioned that Hyundai Mobis anticipates operating losses of around 100 billion won due to a fire in India, stating that the company plans to respond with temporary production lines and expects full normalization of operations by next year.Furthermore, regarding the robotics business, he noted that the company has secured orders for 31 types of body actuators for the BD Atlas and plans to deliver prototypes in November, while also collaborating on gripper components. The components are expected to be produced through in-house manufacturing and outsourcing to partner companies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 08:04:00
  • Jenny Shin ends decade-long wait as Koreans extend LPGA winning streak
    Jenny Shin ends decade-long wait as Koreans extend LPGA winning streak SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) -South Korea's Jenny Shin captured her second LPGA Tour title on Sunday, ending a wait of more than 10 years and extending Korean players' winning streak to three consecutive events ahead of the season's final major. Shin carded a 3-over-par 75 in the final round of the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire, Scotland, to finish at 9-under 279. The 33-year-old held off compatriot A Lim Kim, who closed with a 4-under 68 to finish two shots behind at 7 under. Shin earned $300,000 in prize money. It was Shin's first LPGA victory since the Volunteers of America Texas Shootout in May 2016, bringing an end to a title drought of 10 years and two months. "My first one didn't really feel like a win at the time," Shin said. "I didn't feel like I deserved it. It felt very accidental. But this one definitely feels a lot different. This one feels like I earned it. I worked hard for it." Shin entered the final round with a five-shot lead over Thailand's Pajaree Anannarukarn after leading or sharing the lead throughout the tournament. She briefly stretched her advantage to eight shots after opening with five straight pars, but the lead quickly narrowed as she made three consecutive bogeys from the sixth hole. Strong winds and errant tee shots tested Shin on the links course, and Anannarukarn pulled within two shots after making birdie at the ninth. Shin steadied herself at the par-4 10th, where she made her first birdie of the day as Anannarukarn dropped a shot, restoring a four-stroke cushion. Another birdie at the 12th pushed Shin four shots clear of Kim, who had moved into second place with a late charge. Shin bogeyed the 16th and encountered more trouble at the par-5 18th when her tee shot landed in thick rough. She chose a conservative approach and closed with a bogey, which was still enough to secure the two-shot victory. She broke into tears after the final putt and was showered with water and champagne by fellow players and friends. "I wasn't as nervous as yesterday," Shin said. "I feel like I've done everything right, but I just wasn't hitting it like I was the last three days." "With three bogeys in a row, I thought, 'Oh boy, I don't know where this is going to go.' But I hung in there, so I'm quite proud of myself and very happy." The victory continued a strong run by South Korean players on the LPGA Tour. Hae Ran Ryu won the KPMG Women's PGA Championship late last month and followed it with another major title at the Amundi Evian Championship two weeks ago. South Koreans have now won the tour's past three events and six tournaments this season. Hyo Joo Kim earlier won the Founders Cup and Ford Championship, while Mi Hyang Lee claimed the Blue Bay LPGA title. Shin became the third South Korean to win the Women's Scottish Open following Mi Hyang Lee in 2017 and Mi Jung Hur in 2019. The latest victory also raised expectations for another Korean challenge at the AIG Women's Open, the season's final major, which begins Thursday at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. Kim's runner-up finish was her best result of the season. Anannarukarn shot a 74 and finished third at 5-under 283. Hye Jin Choi carded the day's best round, a 5-under 67, to finish tied for 13th with Amy Yang at 1-over 289. Hyo Joo Kim made par on all 18 holes and tied world No. 1 Nelly Korda for 16th at 2-over 290. Sei Young Kim tied for 19th, while Ina Yoon finished tied for 28th. 2026-07-27 08:02:05
  • BTSs Arirang Re-enters Billboard 200 Top 10 Following World Cup Performance
    BTS's 'Arirang' Re-enters Billboard 200 Top 10 Following World Cup Performance Group BTS's fifth studio album 'Arirang' has re-entered the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. Billboard announced on the 26th local time that 'Arirang' rose from 26th to 9th place. This increase in ranking is attributed to the release of a special vinyl edition that includes two bonus tracks. According to Billboard, the album's equivalent sales increased by 62% compared to the previous week. The special vinyl features two additional tracks: 'Voice Message: Love Song' and 'Normal.' Billboard also noted that BTS's performance of their hit song 'Dynamite' during the halftime show of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup final on July 19 positively impacted album sales. 'Arirang' is BTS's first album released after a hiatus of three years and nine months due to military service. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 upon its release in March and maintained the top position for three consecutive weeks. In this week's chart, Michael Jackson's sixth studio album 'Thriller,' released in 1982, ranked 8th. The success of the biopic 'Michael' has contributed to a resurgence in popularity for his hit songs. The number one spot on the album chart is held by American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams's 'Daughter From Hell.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 07:56:00
  • Investors Pour Money into U.S. Indices and AI ETFs Over Past Year
    Investors Pour Money into U.S. Indices and AI ETFs Over Past Year ◆아주경제 주요뉴스▷미국지수·AI ETF에 뭉칫돈…최근 1년 투자자 자금 집중- According to asset management industry sources and ETF CHECK, the top inflow of net funds over the past year was the TIGER U.S. S&P 500, which saw an influx of 849.32 billion won. U.S. index ETFs and artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have consistently ranked high in net fund inflows, driving recent demand in the ETF market.- U.S. index ETFs have steadily absorbed long-term funds from pensions, retirement accounts, and systematic investments, playing a foundational role in the market. In contrast, AI and semiconductor ETFs have attracted significant short-term investments based on expectations for expanded AI investments and improved semiconductor market conditions.- The total assets under management (AUM) of major index ETFs are also rapidly increasing. The AUM of four major index ETFs—KODEX 200, KODEX U.S. S&P 500, TIGER U.S. S&P 500, and TIGER U.S. Nasdaq 100—rose from 26.437 trillion won on July 31 last year to 70.6159 trillion won as of June 30 this year.- The increase in AUM for major index ETFs reflects not only new fund inflows but also capital gains resulting from rising domestic and international stock markets. Nevertheless, the presence of multiple U.S. index ETFs among the top net fund inflows over the past year suggests a steady influx of long-term investment funds supporting the expansion of their management scale.◆주요 리포트▷실적 전망치 상향 여부가 분수령 - This week, earnings reports from major tech companies and domestic memory firms are set to be released. The market will be looking to confirm increased capital expenditures (Capex) and revenue potential from Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta.- Additionally, the performance and outlook of domestic memory companies have become more critical than ever. Clear confidence in the market conditions and earnings will be necessary to restore investor sentiment.- There appears to be a need for sufficient communication regarding short- and medium-term performance directions related to long-term supply contracts. This will determine whether and to what extent earnings forecasts will be revised upward.- Furthermore, an active stance and additional comments regarding shareholder return policies will be essential to establish a viable price range for the stocks.◆장 마감 후(24일) 주요공시△ 하나증권 2분기 영업이익 2037억원…작년 동기 대비 783.3% 증가△두산로보틱스, 2분기 영업손실 144억원…적자 축소△제일기획, 2분기 영업이익 927억원…작년 동기 대비 0.6%↑△현대로템, 2분기 영업이익 2324억원…작년 동기 대비 9.7% 감소△유한양행, 자사주 4253억원 소각◆펀드 동향(23일 기준, ETF 제외) ▷국내 주식형: -5188억원▷해외 주식형: 5482억원◆오늘(27일) 주요일정▷중국:공업이익(6월)▷독일:Ifo 기업환경지수(7월)▷미국:내구재수주(6월)* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 07:56:00
  • Iran Continues Message Exchange with U.S. Through Mediators
    Iran Continues Message Exchange with U.S. Through Mediators Iran has announced that it is continuing to exchange messages with the United States through mediators. However, it appears that official negotiations between the two countries have not yet resumed.According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated in an interview with Austria's ORF on July 26 that, "We are still exchanging messages with the U.S., and the activities of the mediating countries are ongoing."Baghaei described the Islamabad Memorandum, signed last month, as a "short agreement consisting of 14 clauses, not a long and complicated document."The Islamabad Memorandum is a temporary agreement that includes provisions for a ceasefire and subsequent negotiations.He claimed, "The international community expected that this time the U.S. would keep its promises," adding that the U.S. resumed military operations, violating several clauses of the agreement.He criticized the U.S. actions as a "third diplomatic betrayal."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 07:20:00
  • Son Na-eun Reflects on Chief Kim Experience: Thank You for Your Love
    Son Na-eun Reflects on 'Chief Kim' Experience: 'Thank You for Your Love' Actress Son Na-eun shared her thoughts on concluding her role in 'Chief Kim.'On the 26th, Son Na-eun posted a message and photos on her social media, expressing her gratitude, saying, "Thank you for loving Chief Kim all this time."She added, "It was an honor to work with Chief Kim, Han Soo, Senior Jin-cheol, Chairman Joo, the special task team, the laundry owner, and all the other actors, seniors, directors, writers, and staff members."Son also acknowledged her close friends and manager, stating, "Thanks to our kids and my manager who supported me the most, I was able to finish well. I will cherish these unforgettable memories."The photos shared included behind-the-scenes moments from the filming of 'Chief Kim,' particularly showing Son Na-eun collaborating with So Ji-sub, Choi Dae-hoon, and Yoon Kyung-ho.Meanwhile, on the 26th, Nielsen Korea reported that the final episode of the SBS drama 'Chief Kim,' which aired on the 25th, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 23.0%.'Chief Kim' is an action drama that follows a former North Korean agent, who, while hiding his identity, embarks on a journey with friends to find his kidnapped daughter.In the finale, Chief Kim (played by So Ji-sub) confronts Joo Kang-chan (played by Joo Sang-wook), the chairman of Joohak Construction, who kidnapped the children of his friends, Han Soo (Choi Dae-hoon) and Park Jin-cheol (Yoon Kyung-ho), delivering a thrilling reversal of fate.Chairman Joo's collusion with North Korea and the corruption of Joohak Construction were exposed, leading to his downfall, while the North Korean intelligence chief, Lee Eung-ryeong (Lee Jae-yong), was sent back to North Korea after losing all his information while attempting to defect to South Korea.Afterward, Chief Kim returned to freedom while concealing his identity and reunited with his daughter, Min-ji (Seo Su-min).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 07:12:00