Last Year, Large Corporate Groups' Market Capitalization Decreased by 251 Trillion Won [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
① Jensen Huang: "SK and Samsung are outstanding... will continue to succeed"
② "If Samsung comes"... German Chancellor Scholz's love call to Samsung Electronics
③ Samsung Electronics Q4 operating profit worse than expected

MARKET INDEX

○ U.S. New York Stock Market's three major indices mixed near flat
○ FOMC minutes raise concerns about 'Trumflation'
○ Construction sector improved but negative outlook prevails

TOP 3 NEWS

■ Last year, large business groups' market cap decreased by 251 trillion KRW… Samsung down by 167 trillion KRW

○ Market cap of 79 large business groups at 1,652 trillion KRW
○ Samsung, POSCO, LG had the largest decreases
○ HD Hyundai, SK, Hanwha groups saw increases

■ Jensen Huang: "SK and Samsung are outstanding… will continue to succeed"

○ "I believe Samsung will succeed with HBM creation"
○ "Korea's strength is being quick-tempered, working very fast"
○ Emphasized the role of HBM4 to solve data bottlenecks

■ "If Samsung comes"… Germany's 'love call' after missing Intel

○ Chancellor Scholz ahead of general election on the 23rd of next month
○ "Interest in semiconductors despite political turmoil"
○ Promised support funds for international semiconductor companies

the Chart : Samsung Electronics Operating Profit Falls 1 Trillion KRW Below Expectations

○ Samsung Electronics released preliminary Q4 results last year
○ Operating profit around 6.5 trillion KRW… significantly below expectations
○ Memory profitability worsened due to weak IT demand

Profitable Law

■ 'Conditional Regular Bonuses Also Count as Ordinary Wages' Draws Attention

○ "Conditional regular bonuses paid based on conditions such as employment status or number of working days
○ are also included in ordinary wages," ruled by the court
○ Companies continue to inquire whether various allowances are included in ordinary wages
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025010814093052316

■ Halt on Indictment Changes Blocking Defense Rights

○ "First trial sentence too light" for confidential information leak charges
○ Changed indictment facts increased sentence in second trial
○ "No special circumstances"… appeal dismissed
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025010814134475146

■ Empathy vs Region vs Experience

○ Kim Jung-wook, a link to the law school generation
○ Ahn Byung-hee, trust built through second challenge
○ Geum Tae-seop, advantage of parliamentary experience and detailed pledges
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025010814280752351

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

Term in the News: Malicious Version of ChatGPT 'WormGPT'

○ Designed to generate text similar to humans
○ Impersonates executives to steal corporate funds via email
○ Easy for beginners to use, raising concerns about crime becoming widespread

Today's Key Schedule

○ Domestic

Busan Eco Delta City Daebang Allium Riverview (31BL)

○ Overseas

00:30 U.S. Crude Oil Inventory

04:00 U.S. FOMC Meeting Minutes

09:30 Australia November Trade Balance

10:30 China December Consumer Price Index

16:00 Germany November Trade Balance

21:00 Brazil November Retail Sales

22:30 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims

◇ Lunch & Commute Weather

○ Lowest temperature -12℃(▼7℃) ｜ Highest temperature: -8℃(▼8℃)
○ Precipitation probability 0% in the morning｜0% in the afternoon
○ Fine dust Good in the morning｜Good in the afternoon

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