[THE INVESTOR] South Korea’s top four commercial banks have reduced the amount of outstanding loans by more than 6 trillion won (US$ 5.47 billion) this year. According to finance industry data, outstanding loans at the top four banks – KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori and KEB Hana – came to about 72.25 trillion won at the end of August, falling about 6.05 trillion won from the end of 2015. Of the four, KEB Hana reduced its figure by nearly 4.7 trillion won, and its BIS capital adequacy ratio rose to 1

[THE INVESTOR] As many as 100 golf courses could be put up for sale as shareholders fear the impact of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, industry sources project. Of these, 29 are either under court receivership or undergoing workout processes. The majority of the remainder are said to be facing financial difficulties, which are likely to be amplified by the new act. The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, also known as Kim Young-ran Act, prohibits officials in both public and private se

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean companies’ entertainment expenses came to 9.97 trillion won (US$8.97 billion) in 2015, an increase of 6.8 percent from the previous year, National Tax Service data showed on Sept. 27. The data was revealed by Rep. Kim Jong-min of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea. Companies in the top 1 percent in terms of revenue spent about 3.34 trillion won, or 33.5 percent of the total. The data also showed that local companies continue to spend large sums at adult enterta

[THE INVESTOR] The national pension fund could run out two years earlier than previously projected, the National Assembly Budget Office’s analysis showed on Sept. 27.In its analysis of the country’s long-term finances, the National Assembly Budget Office estimated that the national pension fund may be depleted by 2058. The report projected that the fund will begin to fall after 2030, begin posting negative growth from 2042 and run out in 2058.The government had earlier estimated that the fund wi

[THE INVESTOR] On Sept. 26, Daekyo (019680) increased 4.79% to 8,750 won (US$7.9). It had increased 5.77% through the past month. Standard deviation, which indicates variableness, records 1.2% over the same period of time over one month.  - Among its peer group, in spite of low Volatility, Increasing Rate is high- Most related stocks have also increased. Services industry +0.33%- Target price KRW 11,000, has 27% disparate to increase compared with stock price.- Individuals and Foreigners sell, I

[THE INVESTOR] On Sept. 26, C-TRI (047920) increased 1.06% to 7,630 won (US$6.89). It had declined 1.12% through the past month. Standard deviation, which indicates risk, records 2.7% on the same period over one month.  - The Return On Risk, -0.4, it is lower than the industrial index- Most related stocks have also increased. Other Service industry +0.86%- Foreigners buy, Individuals sell- Turnover Rate and Price Range both proper- Only IndividualsandForeigners trade sharesCompared with its clos

[THE INVESTOR] On Sept. 26, OCI (010060) increased 5.10%, to 84,500 won (US$76.27). It had declined 10.04% through the past month. Standard deviation, the risk index for stock price, was 3.1% on the same period of time over one month.  - Compared with industrial index, the Return comparison fluctuation was negative- Related stocks mixed, Chemicals industry +0.36%- Individuals and Foreigners buy, Institutions sell- Price Range is too low- Institution 15.61%, Foreigners 15.09%Compared with its clo

[THE INVESTOR] On Sept. 26, Samchully (004690) declined 2.73% to 99,700 won (US$). It had declined 3.37% through the past month. Standard deviation, the variableness index, was 1.3% over the same period over one month.  - Compared with industrial median, the Return comparison fluctuation was rather negative- Related stocks mixed, Electricity & Gas industry -0.19%- Institutions and Foreigners sell, Individuals buy- Turnover Rate and Price Range both proper- Institution 18.34%, Foreigners 24.66%Co

[THE INVESTOR] On Sept. 26, Telcoware (078000) slightly edged down 2.81% to 12,100 won (US$10.92). It had declined 2.37% through the past month. Standard deviation, which indicates risk, records 1% over the same period over one month.  - Compared with industrial index, the Return comparison Volatility was rather negative- Most of related stocks also decline. Services industry -0.1%- Institutions and Foreigners sell, Individuals buy- Turnover Rate and Price Range both proper- The main shareholdin

[THE INVESTOR] Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries will begin an unpaid leave program in October as it seeks to cut costs.This is the first time an unpaid leave program is being carried out by the company since its foundation in 1999. Hyundai Samho is one of the three shipbuilders that form the backbone of Hyundai Heavy Industries. Unpaid leave, for a minimum of three weeks, will be made available to workers in select departments. Although Hyundai Heavy has managed to post profits during the first ha

[THE INVESTOR] The Hyundai Motor production lines came to a complete stop on Sept. 26 with the labor union staging the first full strike since 2004. The union began a full strike with the first shift that starts at 6:45 a.m. The workers will also halt production for six hours on a daily basis starting Sept. 27 until the end of the month. In this year’s wages negotiations, the union has staged 19 partial strikes. The company estimates the damages to be 101,400 units or 2.23 trillion won (US$ 2.02

[THE INVESTOR] South Korea’s exports to China fell for the 14th consecutive month in August, data showed on Sept. 23. According to the Korea International Trade Association, South Korea’s exports to China came to US$ 10.34 billion, down 5.3 percent on-year. South Korea’s imports from China came to US$7.38 billion, rising 3 percent from a year ago. The decline started in July 2015, when South Korea’s monthly exports to China fell 6.5 percent on year. By item, exports of semiconductors and flat-sc