Lotte Energy Materials said on Monday it posted consolidated fourth-quarter sales of 170.9 billion won and an operating loss of 33.8 billion won. Sales fell 8.3 percent from a year earlier while the operating loss narrowed 15.6 percent. For the year, it recorded sales of 677.5 billion won and an operating loss of 145.2 billion won. The company cited weak downstream industries and said it would focus on expanding AI circuit materials and high-end battery foil.

The U.S. CLARITY Act on cryptocurrency market structure is unlikely to make progress in Congress without direct intervention by President Donald Trump, TD Cowen said. It pointed to industry splits and political obstacles, including a dispute over stablecoin rewards being discussed by the Senate Banking Committee. The biggest hurdle is securing Democratic support, with lawmakers seeking stronger investor protection, anti-money laundering measures and conflict-of-interest rules, including limits on crypto ownership or control by the president and senior officials and their families.