Three out of Four Domestic Cars Last Year Were Hyundai and Kia [3-Minute Brief]

[3-Min Brief 3-Second Summary]
① Lee Chang-yong, BOK Governor: "Rate Cut Difficult for at Least 6 Months"
② Bitcoin Spot ETF Hits 4 Trillion KRW Trading Volume on First Morning
③ Seoul Jeonse Price per Pyeong Stays in 23 Million KRW Range for 2 Consecutive Months

MARKET INDEX : Year to date (1/15)

Three out of Four Domestic Cars Last Year Were Hyundai and Kia [3-Minute Brief]

- US New York stock market's three major indices closed mixed amid weakness in tech stocks
- Market sentiment weakened as the top market cap company 'Apple' continued to underperform
- The prevailing view still favors an interest rate cut as early as March

Top3 NEWS

Photo by Bank of Korea

■ Bank of Korea Governor's hawkish remarks... Diminished expectations for rate cuts in the first half

- Governor Lee Chang-yong: "Interest rate cuts within 6 months are unlikely"
- More concerned about stimulating the real estate market than economic stimulus
- Global inflation not yet controlled and household debt remains high

■ Bitcoin spot ETF sees 4 trillion KRW trading volume on first morning

- Trading volume approached 4 trillion KRW on the morning of the 10th, the first day
- However, domestic securities firms are prohibited from brokering ETFs
- Despite increased trading volume, coin price volatility remains limited

■ Government assesses expanding signs of economic recovery... Concerns remain for construction sector

- Positive perception thanks to semiconductor industry recovery
- Exports to China turned positive for the first time in 20 months
- High interest rates raise concerns for private consumption and construction

Graphic News: Last year, 3 out of 4 domestic cars were Hyundai and Kia

- Hyundai and Kia's domestic market share rose to 73%, the highest ever
- Hyundai sold 760,000 units and Kia 560,000 units... Popular models include the mid-to-large sedan Grandeur
- Sales were sluggish for Korea GM, KG Mobility, Renault Korea Motors, and others

the Chart: 8 out of 10 people feel burdened by transportation cost increases

- Seoul city plans to raise the subway base fare in July following last year
- A significant portion of the public feels the burden of rising transportation costs
- Transportation costs are fixed expenses... High inflation increases the burden of fixed costs, intensifying the impact

Terms in the News: South Korea ranks 2nd in the 'World Passport Index'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

- Calculated by summing the number of countries passport holders can visit visa-free
- Japan, Singapore, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain share 1st place
- South Korea can enter 193 countries without a visa... North Korea 42 countries (97th place)

Today's Key Schedule

○ Domestic
- Jan 15-16: KOSDAQ Daishin Balance 17th SPAC subscription, public offering price from 2,000 KRW ~

○ Overseas
- 08:50 Japan December M3 Money Supply
- 15:30 India December Wholesale Price Index
- 18:30 UK Q3 Labor Productivity
- 19:00 Eurozone November Industrial Production
- 19:00 Eurozone November Trade Balance

◇ Lunch & Commute Weather

○ Lowest temperature -7℃(▼3℃) ｜ Highest temperature: 2℃(▼2℃)
○ Precipitation probability: Morning 0%｜Afternoon 0%
○ Fine dust: Morning Good｜Afternoon Good