Shadow of Low Growth in Korean Economy... Red Lights for Domestic Demand and Exports [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
① South Korea's growth forecast for this year lowered to 1.5%, growing concerns over low growth
② February Monetary Policy Committee press conference held
③ Finda announces Seoul dining industry startup trends

MARKET INDEX : Year to date

○ S&P500 and Nasdaq indices fall for 4 consecutive days

○ Tesla plunges over 8%... Market cap breaks below $1 trillion

○ Walmart surges 4.29%... Records highest return

Top3 NEWS

■ "Growing concerns over low growth" BOK cuts South Korea growth forecast to 1.5%... Interest rate cut

○ South Korea's growth forecast lowered by 1.5% this year, raising low growth concerns
○ Market priced in rate cut expectations early, cautious pace after 'hawkish cut'
○ Many variables for additional cuts... Focus on exchange rate, US economic policies, and supplementary budget direction

■ Lee Chang-yong: "1.5% growth rate affected by additional US tariffs... 2 to 3 rate cuts needed this year"

○ Lee Chang-yong: "All Monetary Policy Committee members agree on rate cut"
○ Possibility of additional cuts within 3 months, 2 out of 6 members
○ Tariff impact from Trump administration judged faster and larger than expected

■ Thriving despite recession... Increase in Korean cuisine and bakery startups

○ Finda announces Seoul dining industry startup trends
○ Total startups down 2.6%... Korean cuisine leads growth rate
○ Startup costs for dining industry increased by about 750,000 KRW compared to last year

Graphic News : $500 million government-guaranteed 'Supply Chain Bonds' to be issued

○ JP Morgan and two others selected as lead managers

○ Support for domestic companies' supply chain loans

○ Full effort on overseas IR for fundraising

the Chart : Loan interest rates rise to 5% range while deposit rates plunge... Banks say "No choice"

○ KB Kookmin Bank cuts deposit rates by 0.05%p

○ Deposit rates in 2% range for the first time in about 2 years and 7 months

○ Meanwhile, loan interest rates actually rise

Today's Key Schedule

○Domestic

○Overseas

00:00 US CB Consumer Confidence Index (February)

06:30 US API Weekly Crude Oil Stock

09:30 Australia Building Approvals (QoQ) (Q4)

16:00 GfK German Consumer Climate (March)

22:30 Canada Wholesale Sales (MoM) (January)

◇ Lunch & Commute Weather

○ Low temperature -2℃ (0℃) ｜ High temperature: 6℃ (▼1℃)
○ Precipitation probability 10% in the morning｜0% in the afternoon
○ Fine dust Moderate in the morning｜Moderate in the afternoon

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