https://mtimes.net Real-time English, Japanese, and Chinese financial news, South Korean stock market analysis, corporate governance, and global tech supply chain intelligence. en-us Tue, 03 Nov 2026 18:26:06 GMT Copyright 2026 MTIMES Global. All rights reserved. https://mtimes.net/article/1436 https://mtimes.net/article/1436 Tue, 03 Nov 2026 06:27:46 GMT Expanding North American LNG and energy infrastructure investments are creating new order opportunities for South Korean steelmakers, with firms securing tangible contracts in Canada and positioning themselves for potential projects in Alaska. However, a sharp rise in South Korean steel imports has drawn scrutiny from the U.S. steel industry, raising concerns over growing trade barriers. Headline editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1430 https://mtimes.net/article/1430 Mon, 02 Nov 2026 22:37:22 GMT SpaceX and Amazon are pouring billions into spectrum and telecom acquisitions to dominate the direct-to-device satellite market, shifting the space race from constellation deployment to terrestrial subscriber acquisition. Meanwhile, South Korea is weighing a multi-billion-dollar independent low-Earth orbit network. Industry editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1410 https://mtimes.net/article/1410 Sun, 01 Nov 2026 03:17:17 GMT As the KOSDAQ index flirts with the 720 threshold, market participants are increasingly demanding regulatory overhauls, including a ban on short-selling, the abolition of investor-caution designations, and the relaxation of earnings-loss rules tailored to R&D-heavy growth companies. Markets editorial@mtimes.net (Park Hae-soo Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1426 https://mtimes.net/article/1426 Mon, 02 Nov 2026 08:35:42 GMT As the race to build artificial intelligence infrastructure intensifies, third-quarter capital expenditures at Meta and Alphabet have outstripped their operating cash flows, while Microsoft maintains a positive free cash flow, highlighting a growing divergence in corporate financing capabilities. Markets editorial@mtimes.net (Song Jung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1412 https://mtimes.net/article/1412 Sun, 01 Nov 2026 23:00:41 GMT As Wall Street faces recent volatility—highlighted by a sharp 7.2% drop in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index—market attention turns to the historical pattern surrounding U.S. midterm elections. While data shows a seemingly flawless 100% win rate for U.S. equities from October of a midterm year through June of the following year, a closer look reveals statistical nuances worth noting. Finance & Securities editorial@mtimes.net (Lee Kyung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1415 https://mtimes.net/article/1415 Sun, 01 Nov 2026 23:52:52 GMT Following a record $6 billion security breach at Binance, South Korea's Financial Services Commission has convened an emergency meeting with domestic exchanges to review customer asset protection measures, as questions mount over cold wallet storage thresholds. Markets editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1408 https://mtimes.net/article/1408 Sun, 01 Nov 2026 00:44:02 GMT Anthropic is aggressively expanding into the life sciences sector, moving beyond supplying research-grade AI to pharmaceutical firms to directly participating in drug discovery with its own research organization and laboratories. The company plans to deploy its Claude model across target design, experimental data analysis, and clinical trial planning. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Song Jung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1414 https://mtimes.net/article/1414 Sun, 01 Nov 2026 23:42:41 GMT Exports of non-semiconductor items jumped 34% year-on-year in October, powered by a record-breaking performance in electrical equipment and robust gains across cosmetics and bio-health. While stellar chip demand led the headline numbers, 18 of South Korea's top 20 export categories registered growth. Industry editorial@mtimes.net (Song Jung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1433 https://mtimes.net/article/1433 Tue, 03 Nov 2026 04:05:40 GMT South Korea’s top four financial holding companies racked up nearly 34 trillion won in interest income through the first three quarters of the year, with cumulative net profit surpassing 17 trillion won. While these institutions expanded dividends and share buybacks, household loan rates hovered near 5% per annum, sparking debate over whether regulatory efforts to lower borrowing costs have been diluted by banks scaling back preferential rates. Finance & Securities editorial@mtimes.net (Lee Kyung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1409 https://mtimes.net/article/1409 Sun, 01 Nov 2026 00:45:09 GMT POSCO Future M and LG Energy Solution have signed a preliminary agreement to supply 720,000 tons of cathode and anode materials over seven years, marking a strategic shift toward energy storage systems and affordable electric vehicles. Industry editorial@mtimes.net (Park Hae-soo Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1417 https://mtimes.net/article/1417 Mon, 02 Nov 2026 01:32:21 GMT The Korea Exchange has published a list of 151 listed companies suffering from prolonged low price-to-book ratios, featuring numerous blue-chip heavyweights despite ongoing corporate governance reform efforts. Finance & Securities editorial@mtimes.net (Lee Kyung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1241 https://mtimes.net/article/1241 Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:54:49 GMT The U.S. September Consumer Price Index (CPI) report has rattled financial markets, as "sticky" core inflation pressures raise the possibility of an earlier-than-expected interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve. Finance & Securities editorial@mtimes.net (Park Hae-soo Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1214 https://mtimes.net/article/1214 Mon, 12 Oct 2026 23:51:43 GMT South Korean biotech firm Mezzion Pharma is expanding its pivotal Phase 3 trial for Udenafil to Europe as it moves toward a potential 2027 FDA filing, with peak annual U.S. sales estimated at $3 billion. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Song Jung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1162 https://mtimes.net/article/1162 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 22:55:31 GMT HLB Therapeutics CEO An Ki-hong emphasized that the superior convenience and safety profile of RGN-259 will drive its adoption as a primary treatment for neurotrophic keratitis (NK), with top-line results from the SEER-2 global Phase 3 clinical trial expected by mid-November. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1146 https://mtimes.net/article/1146 Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:42:37 GMT HLB Therapeutics is preparing for a make-or-break moment in November, as it awaits the top-line results of its U.S. Phase 3 "SEER-2" trial for the neurotrophic keratitis (NK) treatment candidate RGN-259. The company aims to challenge the U.S. market dominance of Dompé’s "Oxervate," leveraging the logistical advantages of a shelf-stable, short-term treatment regimen. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1141 https://mtimes.net/article/1141 Sat, 03 Oct 2026 02:18:40 GMT AriBio’s U.S. division head, Fred Kim, outlined the company’s ambition to position its oral Alzheimer’s candidate, AR1001, as a first-line treatment, with global Phase 3 trial results set for release in November 2026. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Song Jung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1135 https://mtimes.net/article/1135 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:03:16 GMT ArisBio is gearing up for the pivotal November release of its Phase 3 global clinical trial results for its oral Alzheimer's treatment candidate, AR1001, setting its sights on U.S. FDA approval by 2028 and a 1 trillion won revenue milestone by 2030. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Song Jung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1128 https://mtimes.net/article/1128 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:05:00 GMT While the KOSPI finished September in positive territory, the broader market suffered a severe breadth contraction as heavyweights Samsung Electronics and SK hynix propped up the index while nearly 70% of listed issues declined. Markets editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1117 https://mtimes.net/article/1117 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 23:01:34 GMT Behind Micron’s robust quarterly earnings lies an even stronger industry signal, as hyperscalers and AI data centers rush to lock in memory supply agreements stretching all the way to 2031. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1113 https://mtimes.net/article/1113 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:33:40 GMT Global technology giants are moving beyond conversational chatbots to always-on autonomous AI agents capable of executing tasks, scheduling, and data analysis in the background without user intervention. Industry editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1348 https://mtimes.net/article/1348 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:48:11 GMT HanAll Biopharma’s autoimmune disease treatment batoclimab has received marketing approval in China following successful Phase 3 clinical trials, paving the way for milestone payments and sales royalties. Meanwhile, its next-generation candidate, imireprovat (IMVT-1402), is undergoing global Phase 3 trials for generalized myasthenia gravis, with early therapeutic responses also observed in rheumatoid arthritis. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Song Jung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1431 https://mtimes.net/article/1431 Mon, 02 Nov 2026 23:09:52 GMT Hoban Group's recent stake purchases in Hanjin Kal could elevate it to the top shareholder, surpassing Chairman Cho Won-tae. However, securing actual management control remains a formidable challenge amid solid friendly stakes, an incumbent board without Hoban representation, and the uncertain future of the Korea Development Bank’s 10.58% holding. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Lee Kyung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1420 https://mtimes.net/article/1420 Mon, 02 Nov 2026 04:47:16 GMT Hanwha has secured its first U.S. Navy contract to build medium landing ships, marking a major milestone as a South Korean shipbuilder enters the domestic-only U.S. naval market through strategic local acquisitions and advanced manufacturing technology. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1434 https://mtimes.net/article/1434 Tue, 03 Nov 2026 05:00:46 GMT Alteogen reported a record third-quarter performance, with operating profit nearly tripling year-on-year to 78.9 billion won, driven by robust sales of Merck's subcutaneous Keytruda and lucrative technology exports. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Song Jung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1413 https://mtimes.net/article/1413 Sun, 01 Nov 2026 23:10:21 GMT Small Insight Research highlighted Suprema's robust growth in overseas markets driven by its high-margin biometric access control business, alongside its strategic expansion into AI video surveillance, integrated monitoring, and robot security. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Moo-jin Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1425 https://mtimes.net/article/1425 Mon, 02 Nov 2026 08:09:44 GMT POSCO Holdings has unveiled detailed plans for the 2.5 trillion won ($1.8 billion) secured through the monetization of affiliate stakes. The company will channel approximately 1.1 trillion won into acquiring a stake in an Australian lithium mine and allocate 2500 billion won to share buybacks and cancellations within the year, fast-tracking shareholder returns ahead of additional asset sales. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Lee Kyung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1396 https://mtimes.net/article/1396 Fri, 30 Oct 2026 02:34:19 GMT Despite maintaining a robust operating margin above 50%, Hanmi Semiconductor’s third-quarter results fell nearly 30% short of market expectations, sparking a significant sell-off in its stock. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1402 https://mtimes.net/article/1402 Fri, 30 Oct 2026 08:34:53 GMT Despite securing a blockbuster oral treatment through its multi-billion-dollar acquisition of Amicus Therapeutics, U.S. rare-disease specialist BioMarin has licensed a Phase 1/2 Fabry disease candidate jointly developed by Hanmi Pharmaceutical and GC Biopharma to target a broader patient demographic and challenge established intravenous therapies. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1421 https://mtimes.net/article/1421 Mon, 02 Nov 2026 05:15:22 GMT Data center revenue surges 61% quarter-on-quarter, accounting for 43.5% of total sales as SanDisk posts stellar fiscal Q1 results driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure demand. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Song Jung-hee Reporter) https://mtimes.net/article/1388 https://mtimes.net/article/1388 Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:56:27 GMT An obscure overseas investment group, Nexroc, has announced plans to acquire 14 companies, including K-pop agency JYP Entertainment and Japan's Avex, while proposing a tender offer for up to 50% of JYP. However, with no official negotiations initiated, unverified financial disclosures, and regulatory scrutiny mounting over its funding capabilities, market skepticism is intensifying. Corporate editorial@mtimes.net (Kim Jeong-eun Reporter)