Hanwha Investment & Securities Publishes Market Outlook 'Market Insight 2023'

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] Hanwha Investment & Securities Research Center announced on the 7th that it has published the market outlook report “Market Insight 2023,” which captures new investment signals.

Market Insight 2023 suggested directions for “defensive investing” focused on more valuable assets amid uncertain market conditions. In this publication, Hanwha Investment & Securities Research Center selected and analyzed energy, interest rates, the US market, the Chinese market, ESG, and the defense industry as key themes for the 2023 outlook.

Park Young-hoon, head of the Research Center, emphasized that in a situation without Russia, we must consider whether we can maintain the same way of life as before, and that solving the energy storage issue is essential for the transition to renewable energy beyond natural gas. Bond strategy researcher Kim Sung-soo and banking & insurance researcher Kim Do-ha reviewed the timing of the final interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of Korea, suggesting that in 2023, it is better to align with central banks rather than make premature predictions.

Han Sang-hee, head of the Global Research Team, said, “In 2022, the US stock market was affected by tightening due to inflationary pressures amid economic deterioration, compounded by the Russia-Ukraine war,” and forecasted, “In 2023, the downward trend in stock prices will weaken, and the relative attractiveness of stocks will increase in the second half of the year.”

Jung Jung-young, Chinese stock researcher, advised, “Reflecting on government policy failures during Xi Jinping’s 10 years in power, in 2023, we should approach from the perspective of the Chinese economy’s rebound and restoration of investor confidence, starting with changes in the new Chinese leadership.”

Park Se-yeon, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) researcher, emphasized, “With the global issue of climate change response and the importance of energy independence highlighted further due to the Russia issue, we must actively identify companies leading the wave of change.”

Lee Bong-jin, corporate analysis team leader, forecasted, “With the global transition to a new cold war structure and the enhanced capabilities of Korean defense companies, overseas orders in the defense industry will show a strong trend in 2023,” adding, “Defense companies’ performance will improve significantly as we move into 2024.”

Park Young-hoon, head of the Research Center, stated, “This book contains in-depth reflections on topics we must know and consider,” and expressed hope that “this book will be of some help to investors’ success.”