Still High Prices... Distant Interest Rate Cuts [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
① Won-Dollar Exchange Rate Hits 5-Month High
② Yongsan Becomes the Hub of Seoul Transportation
③ Apple and Pear Prices Soar: How Long Will the Rise Continue?

MARKET INDEX

- US New York stock market's three major indices all declined
- Expectations of delayed timing for Fed interest rate cuts
- Investor sentiment keenly watching upcoming employment reports

TOP 3 NEWS

■ Won-Dollar Exchange Rate Hits Highest in 5 Months...Rising Inflation Concerns

- Won-Dollar exchange rate surpasses 1350 won
- Highest since late October last year
- Strong US economy and dollar strength

■ Bank of Korea: "Living Costs Still High, Uncertainty in Inflation Outlook Increasing"

- BOK holds inflation situation review meeting
- Sharp rise in oil and agricultural product prices cited as causes
- Future inflation path remains highly uncertain

■ '76 Days of Dramatic Drama' How Did Hanmi Science Retail Investors Turn the Tables?

- Opposition arose after National Pension Service's 'mother-daughter side' support flipped the situation
- "An institution operated with public funds opposing individual shareholders"
- After NPS decision, 'brother side' consolidated voting rights at the last minute

Graphic News: "Bigger than Seoul Station"... Yongsan Reborn as a Transportation Hub

- Yongsan's status grew as a 'logistics hub' during the Japanese colonial period...becoming a nationwide transportation center
- Since the launch of the Yoon administration, Yongsan's geographical importance emphasized...development planned around Yongsan Station
- GTX-B line connects Yongsan to Sangbong...discussions ongoing for Shinbundang Line and Airport Railroad extensions

the Chart: Golden Apples and Pears, How Long Will Prices Keep Rising?

- Improvement in agricultural and livestock product prices expected due to increased daylight hours and greater supply of substitute fruits like chamoe and watermelon
- However, apple and pear production down about 30%...strong price pressure expected until new fruit shipments
- Agricultural product inflation rate fell from 5.7% in February to 1.3% in March; vegetables dropped from 6.8% in February to -0.1% in March

Terms in the News: Korea Unfriendly to the Disabled, Long Road Ahead for 'Barrier-Free'

- A compound of 'Barrier' meaning obstacle and 'Free' meaning freedom
- A concept encompassing facilities and information necessary for social participation and rights protection of socially vulnerable groups
- However, barrier-free access to cultural life for the disabled in Korea is limited...only 0.1% attend movies, plays, or concerts

Today's Key Schedule

○ Domestic
- 06:00 March Foreign Exchange Reserves
- 3rd: KOSDAQ Shinhan No.12 SPAC subscription / Offering price 2,000 won
- 3rd: KOSDAQ IMBDX listing, offering price 13,000 won

○ Overseas
- 05:30 US Petroleum Association Weekly Crude Oil Inventory
- 09:30 Japan March Services Purchasing Managers Index
- 10:45 China March Caixin Services Purchasing Managers Index
- 18:00 Eurozone March Consumer Price Index
- 21:15 US March ADP Nonfarm Employment Change
- 22:45 US March Services Purchasing Managers Index
- 23:00 US March ISM Non-Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index
- 23:30 US Crude Oil Inventory

◇ Lunch & Commute Weather

○ Lowest temperature 11℃(▲5℃) ｜ Highest temperature: 21℃(▼2℃)
○ Precipitation probability: Morning 60%｜Afternoon 30%
○ Fine dust: Morning Moderate｜Afternoon Moderate

OK in 3 minutes, essential time-efficient economic news. Published daily at 8 AM.