| Mobile Web

Search results for Hanwha Investment

Finance

Bank of Korea pauses rate hikes; focus turns to banks\' deposit and loan rates

The Bank of Korea kept its benchmark interest rate at 3.00 percent, but upward pressure on banks’ lending rates is expected to persist as the impact of earlier hikes feeds into funding costs and the possibility of further increases remains. Some brokerages forecast additional 0.25 percentage point hikes in November and February. COFIX, a key bank funding index, rose sharply in September, which could lift floating-rate mortgage costs and keep borrowers’ interest burdens elevated.

Games & Commerce

Naver hit by investment burden, Kakao aided by cost stability as Q3 outlook diverges

Naver and Kakao are expected to post divergent third-quarter results. Naver is forecast to log double-digit revenue growth but a drop in operating profit due to heavier spending on AI infrastructure, commerce and marketing. Kakao is seen posting a slight revenue decline but a double-digit rise in operating profit on relatively stable costs. Analysts say investors will focus on whether each company can translate AI initiatives into concrete products, contracts and revenue.

Finance

Securities firms race to expand size amid IMA, investment bank push, raise 8.7 trillion won

South Korean securities firms are accelerating capital expansion as they compete to enter integrated management accounts (IMA) and become comprehensive financial investment businesses. Thirteen brokerages have raised or are seeking 8.705 trillion won this year through rights issues and hybrid capital securities, about twice last year’s total. KB Securities led with 1.7 trillion won. The capital race is tied to rules that expand permitted businesses based on equity levels, including IMA eligibility at 8 trillion won.