[THE INVESTOR] South Korean banks’ nonperforming loan ratio has risen to the highest in five years, Bank of Korea data showed on June 30.The data showed that nonperforming loan ratio stood at 2.6 percent at the end of March, which is the highest level since March 2011, when the figure stood at 2.8 percent. The ratio for commercial banks was 1.8 percent, while special banks -- state-run banks set up according to specific laws -- had a ratio of 3.5 percent. Local banks have extended total of 1.061

[THE INVESTOR] Hyundai Motor shares fell on June 30 following the news of a block deal by Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries on the previous day.On June 30, Hyundai Motor closed 2.52 percent lower at 135,500 won (US$ 117.5).Hyundai Motor’s automotive affiliates Kia Motors and Hyundai Mobis also closed lower. Kia shares closed at 43,200 won, down 1.37 percent, while Hyundai Mobis closed at 252,000 won, down 2.51 percent. Hyundai Heavy and Hyundai Samho sold 1.24 million a

[THE INVESTOR] South Korea’s National Pension Service has named four private equity firms to run 700 billion won (US$607 million) of its funds, the pension giant said on June 30. The NPS, which oversees $430 billion in assets, hired VIG Partners and Skylake Investment to manage investment in large-cap companies with 250 billion won of entrusted funds for each. Some 200 billion won will be allocated to Lindeman Asia Investment and SG Private Equity -- 100 billion won each -- to make investments i

We find that demand for replacement equipment (RE) tires in Europe and the US has been slowing down from 2Q16, due mainly to the rise in inventory levels in sales channels. Global demand growth is continuing at a sluggish pace, estimated around 2% YTD-2016, making it difficult to raise tire prices. Meanwhile, domestic tire companies are likely to post solid operating profit for 2Q16 as a whole, but may see earnings momentum turn sluggish from 2H16 due to the rise in raw material input prices and