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Finance

Household loan bar rises as mortgage rates may break 7 percent

Mortgage rates at South Korea’s major commercial banks have climbed quickly, with top rates exceeding 6 percent and expectations emerging that they could pass 7 percent within the year. Authorities are expected to tighten household-debt management, raising the barrier for borrowers. Banks also face higher mortgage risk weights, adding pressure on capital management. External factors, including delayed U.S. rate cuts and rising funding costs, are cited as drivers of higher rates and sustained borrower burdens.

Industry

2026 EV price war; Hyundai declares push into robotics

Price, not range or autonomous features, is set to be the key variable in the 2026 global EV market as ultra-low-priced competition spreads beyond isolated cases. The article outlines forecasts for rising Chinese influence, BYD’s 2025 lead over Tesla and China’s moves on solid-state battery standards. It also covers Tesla’s gap between promises and results, Nvidia’s robotaxi plans, Hyundai’s robotics expansion, and developments in car-sharing, bicycles and motorcycles.

AI & Enterprise

Musk's xAI raises $20 billion with Nvidia, Cisco among investors

Elon Musk-led AI startup xAI has raised $20 billion, surpassing its initial target of $15 billion, CNBC reported on Jan. 6 local time. Investors include Nvidia, Cisco Investments, Fidelity, Qatar Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi's MGX, Valor Equity Partners, StepStone Group and Baron Capital Group. Nvidia and Cisco are also working with xAI as strategic partners. CNBC projected the deal could value xAI at about $230 billion.