December Consumer Prices Rise 2.3%... Annual Growth Rate Hits 5-Year Low at 2.1% [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
① Consumer prices rose 2.1% this year... Lowest in five years
② 73% of distribution companies say "exchange rate volatility is the biggest management risk in the new year"
③ Coupang faces rapid 'Talpangjok' exodus after 'customer data leak' backlash

MARKET INDEX : Year to date

○ The three major U.S. stock indices in New York closed lower for four consecutive trading days, impacted by year-end profit-taking.

○ Optimism over AI and expectations of interest rate cuts led all three indices to post double-digit annual gains.

○ Increased volatility is expected in 2026.

Top3 NEWS

■ High exchange rates push December consumer prices up 2.3%... Annual increase of 2.1%, lowest in five years (Comprehensive)

○ Consumer prices rose at a rate above 2% for the fourth consecutive month.

○ Price increases in petroleum products and imported agricultural, livestock, and marine products drove inflation.

○ Petroleum products surged 6.1%, marking the largest increase in ten months.

■ King Dollar halts consumption... Distribution companies to maintain 'austerity mode' next year

○ "73.3% of companies cite exchange rate volatility as the biggest management risk next year."

○ Companies are focusing their management strategies on risk control, facing the dual burden of exchange rates and sluggish domestic demand.

○ Despite differences by sector, the common keyword is efficiency.

■ ‘Pointing fingers and shouting’-Management's blame-shifting accelerates 'Talpangjok' exodus

○ Controversy over attitudes at hearings and silence from Chairman Kim Beom-seok.

○ The 'Talpang' exodus is accelerating-Coupang's user base is shrinking while Naver and Kurly are gaining.

○ The weekly active users (WAU) indicator has declined for two consecutive weeks.

Graphic News: New Year, New Resolutions... How about a high-interest savings account?

○ Make donations and take care of your health to earn a 'congratulatory' interest rate-annual rates up to 7% are available.

○ There are also unique savings accounts that add interest for marriage.

○ Complete a mission for a month-'fun savings accounts' are attracting attention.

the Chart: Banks breathe a sigh of relief as exchange rates fall... Can they defend Q4 earnings?

○ The drop in exchange rates has eased financial burdens for banks.

○ "The effects of government policies are expected to continue through the first half of next year."

○ The postponement of ELS and LTV penalty surcharges is also positive for earnings.

Today's Key Schedule

○Domestic

○International

17:00 Spain Unemployment Change (December)

17:15 Spain Manufacturing PMI (December)

17:45 Italy Manufacturing PMI (December)

17:50 France Manufacturing PMI (December)

17:55 Germany Manufacturing PMI (December)

18:00 Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (December)

23:45 U.S. Manufacturing PMI (December)

◇Lunch & Evening Commute Weather

○Lowest temperature: -12℃ (▼1℃) ｜Highest temperature: -4℃ (▼1℃)
○Precipitation probability: 0% in the morning｜0% in the afternoon
○Fine dust: Good in the morning｜Good in the afternoon

Three minutes is all you need-essential, time-efficient economic news. Published daily at 8:00 AM.