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  SK Securities Raises Samsung C&T Target Price on Earnings, Shareholder Returns Outlook SK Securities said Wednesday it raised its target price for Samsung C&T to 370,000 won from 350,000 won, citing improving results and the likelihood of stronger shareholder returns. It maintained its “buy” rating. Choi Kwan Soon, an analyst at SK Securities, said Samsung C&T’s revenue fell 3.2% last year, but the firm forecasts revenue of 44.5 trillion won this year, up 9.3%. He said the goal is achievable given rising orders in the construction unit’s high-tech segment and higher utiliza January 29, 2026
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  South Korean Investor Deposits Top 100 Trillion Won for First Time as Stocks Rally South Korea’s stock market surge has pushed investor deposits above 100 trillion won for the first time. The Korea Financial Investment Association said investor deposits totaled 100.2826 trillion won as of Jan. 27. That is up 12.4535 trillion won from 87.8291 trillion won at the end of last year. Investor deposits are funds clients keep at brokerage firms to trade stocks, funds and other investment products. Because the money can move into the market at any time, it is treated as stan January 29, 2026
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  Heungkuk Securities Raises Hyundai Mobis Target on Electronics, Robotics Shift Heungkuk Securities said Wednesday that Hyundai Mobis’ fourth-quarter results met market expectations and that recovering tariff-related costs has reduced uncertainty, while its business shift toward automotive electronics and robotics continues. The brokerage raised its target price to 540,000 won from 500,000 won and kept its “buy” rating. Hyundai Mobis posted fourth-quarter revenue of 15.4 trillion won and operating profit of 930.5 billion won. Revenue rose 4.7% from a year earlier, w January 29, 2026
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  Hanwha Investment Keeps Hold on LG H&H, Cuts Target Price to 230,000 Won Hanwha Investment & Securities on Wednesday advised a cautious approach to LG Household & Health Care until its sales decline reverses, keeping its “hold” rating. It cut its target price to 230,000 won from 300,000 won. Analyst Han Yu Jeong said the company’s consolidated operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2025 was minus 72.7 billion won, far below the consensus estimate of 4.2 billion won, citing weakness across its Beauty, HDB and Refreshment divisions. On news of LG H& January 29, 2026
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  Korea Rural Economic Institute Announces New Appointments ◇Korea Rural Economic Institute △Appointments ▷Seo Dae Seok, head of the Agribusiness Innovation Research Division ▷Kook Seung Yong, head of the Agricultural Finance and Fiscal Policy Research Office under the Macroeconomic Agricultural Policy Research Division ▷Seong Jae Hoon, head of the AI Agricultural Policy Research Team * This article has been translated by AI. January 29, 2026
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  Hana Securities raises Kia target price 40% to 210,000 won on earnings outlook, SDV and robotics Hana Securities on Wednesday raised its target price for Kia by 40% to 210,000 won from 150,000 won, citing higher earnings estimates, improved readiness in software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and robotics, and a higher valuation multiple for its auto business. It kept its rating at buy. Analyst Song Sun-jae said the firm lifted its 2026 operating profit estimate by 3% to reflect new-model launches and foreign-exchange effects, adding that the expected dividend yield is 4.5%. He sai January 29, 2026
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  South Korea to Allow High-Risk Single-Stock Leveraged ETFs; KOSPI Rally Continues ◆Aju Economy top stories ▷If high-risk leveraged ETFs are introduced, “Korea’s market will heat up even more” -Last year in Hong Kong and the U.S., leveraged and inverse ETFs tracking individual stocks at 2x or -2x became widely used. In South Korea, regulations have blocked such launches, and they have been cited as a factor behind outflows by retail investors buying overseas assets. -The government plans to allow high-risk, high-multiple ETFs in South Korea to boost the domestic market a January 29, 2026
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  South Korea’s Digital Asset Framework Bill Stalls Over Stablecoin, Exchange Rules The government and the ruling party are struggling to draft a second-phase virtual asset bill, with delays in submitting a government proposal. The Democratic Party of Korea has moved to prepare its own version, but has yet to produce a draft as disagreements persist over licensing conditions for won-denominated stablecoin issuers and limits on ownership stakes in virtual asset exchanges. Draft framework takes shape as parties discuss creating a virtual asset council The Democratic Par January 29, 2026
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  South Korea to Fund 70 New Energy R&D Projects Worth 136.9 Billion Won The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said it will post its “2026 Energy Technology Development Implementation Plan” and a first round of 70 new energy technology development projects totaling 136.9 billion won on the ministry website and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning website on Wednesday. The ministry said it plans to support 201.4 billion won this year for new energy technology R&D projects to respond to the climate crisis and advance a su January 29, 2026
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  South Korea Launches Public-Private Task Force to Draft K-GX Green Transition Strategy The South Korean government on Tuesday launched a public-private task force to draft its K-GX (green transition) strategy, bringing together relevant ministries and major industry associations at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The task force was formed to steer policy discussions as South Korea works to implement its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution, or NDC, and to turn those efforts into growth opportunities while strengthening coordination between the public and priv January 28, 2026