Spring Breeze Blowing Through the Market... Real Estate Revealed It [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
① Bank of Korea Expected to Keep Interest Rates Steady for 10 Consecutive Times
② 'Directly Imported Fruits' Over Golden Apples
③ Top 5 US Big Tech Firms Have 771 Trillion Won in Cash Reserves

MARKET INDEX

- U.S. New York Stock Exchange's three major indices closed mixed near flat
- Interest rate cut expectations retreat... Treasury yields also rise
- Tomorrow (10th) March CPI and FOMC minutes to be released

TOP 3 NEWS

■ BOK's rate cut timing pushed back... 10 consecutive holds expected

- 20 economic experts unanimously forecast rate hold in April
- U.S. FOMC also expected to hold benchmark rate in May
- BOK has held rates steady for 9 consecutive times through January and February this year

■ "Mangoes and oranges over apples"... Supermarkets crowded with 'direct fruit imports', traditional markets quiet

- 1,700 tons of directly imported oranges and bananas supplied
- Large supermarkets see sales growth supported by government aid
- Meanwhile, traditional markets suffer from supply onslaught

■ U.S. Big 5 Big Tech cash holdings total 771 trillion won... splurging on M&A and share buybacks

- Massive operating cash flow leads to excessive spending
- Google’s acquisition interest in 'HubSpot' raised offer price by 30%
- Apple spends much more on share buybacks than on R&D

the Chart : Quick-moving money into real estate... interest rate breaks 5%

- Real estate investment sentiment rapidly improving, led by institutional investors
- Financing rates in commercial real estate market recently fell below 5%
- "Last year was loan-focused... this year the trend is moving toward equity investment"

Money-Making Law

■ Legal tech companies 'knock' on Japanese market

- Legal tech firms target Japan, whose legal system is similar to Korea's
- Domestic market limited in growth potential, considered 'limited'
- Japan has twice the corporate activity of Korea... 'rapid growth ongoing'
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2024040815162529143

■ Applying for quarantine support with paper tax invoices... "Support denial lawful"

- Ministry of SMEs and Startups provided COVID-19 quarantine support to small business owners at end of 2021
- Mr. A, a delivery worker, claimed "sales decreased when using paper tax invoices"
- "Support denial lawful as monthly sales cannot be verified with electronic tax invoices for Mr. A"
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2024040815175534710

■ Bar exam 'Big 3' elective subjects?International Transactions, Environment, International Law?dominate with 82.5% of candidates

- Other subjects, despite high practical demand, canceled due to lack of students
- 'Big 3' chosen for smaller study volume and easier exam strategy
- Concerns raised over deterioration of specialized education and dilution of law school introduction purpose
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2024040815211240285

※ 'Money-Making Law', a content partnership corner between Asia Economy and Law Times, is published every Tuesday and Thursday.

Terminology in the News: Homeland Innovation Party's 'Social Rights' Pledge

- The right of citizens to demand social security measures from the state necessary for a dignified life
- Jo Guk, leader of the Homeland Innovation Party, stated, "We will create a 'social rights advanced country where citizens are happier'... will actively pursue constitutional amendment"
- Advocates for rights to housing, childcare, education, health, work, equal value labor, and equal pay

Today's Key Schedule

○ Domestic

○ Overseas
- 08:01 UK Retail Consortium March Retail Sales
- 10:30 Australia National Australia Bank March Business Confidence Index
- 14:00 Japan March Household Confidence
- 17:00 European Central Bank (ECB) Lending Survey
- 21:55 U.S. Redbook Retail Sales Index
- 23:00 U.S. IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index

◇ Lunch & Commute Weather

○ Low temperature 8℃ (0℃) ｜ High temperature: 20℃ (▼3℃)
○ Precipitation probability Morning 0%｜Afternoon 0%
○ Fine dust Morning Moderate｜Afternoon Moderate

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