Investment & Market Trends

SEOUL: Korea Zinc Co Ltd, the world’s largest refined zinc smelter, has announced plans to cancel ₩1.82 trillion (US$1.29 billion) worth of its own shares this year, in a move aimed at enhancing shareholder value and reinforcing management stability. The company confirmed on Thursday that it will retire a total of 2.04 million treasury shares—representing 9.85% of its total issued shares—over three phases scheduled for June, September, and December 2025. The announcement follows an extensive buyback conducted in 2024, during which Korea Zinc repurchased 2.08 million shares to fend off a takeover attempt led by its largest shareholder, Young Poong Group, in alliance with private equity firm MBK Partners. The corporate struggle escalated in September 2024, when the Young Poong-led group launched a tender offer to increase its stake in the zinc producer. In response, Korea Zinc secured backing from Bain Capital and proceeded with a large-scale buyback to consolidate its control. In a critical development in March this year, a Seoul court ruled to restrict the voting rights of Young Poong in appointing new board members, allowing Korea Zinc’s CEO to retain his position and secure the board’s composition at the company’s annual general meeting. The share cancellation programme reflects Korea Zinc’s strategy to streamline its capital structure, support its share price, and reinforce its autonomy in the face of external shareholder pressure. –Yonhap

Thailand’s solar rooftop sector is poised for heightened competition as falling costs, an expanding array of suppliers, and regulatory support from the government converge to accelerate adoption across residential and commercial segments. EnergyLIB, a solar energy solution provider, has launched a new solar system specifically designed for townhouses, while  JJ-LAPP, the cable and connectivity solutions joint venture of diversified industrial conglomerate Jebsen and Jessen Group and LAPP Holding Asia, is partnering with Chinese solar panel manufacturer Deye to launch new products in Thailand. Chatchai Wajakiet, General Manager of JJ-Lapp – a joint venture between Jebsen & Jessen and Lapp Holding Asia – noted that recent easing of installation regulations and the increasing affordability of solar technology are key drivers behind growing consumer interest. “Entrepreneurs such as office and factory owners have traditionally led demand, but we expect to see increased adoption within the household sector in the coming years,” said Chatchai. “Lower prices for solar panels and energy storage systems are making clean energy more accessible.” The shift in cost dynamics is significant. In 2010, photovoltaic (PV) panels capable of generating 1 megawatt (MW) of electricity cost around 150 million baht. Today, the same capacity can be installed for just 15 million baht, according to Prapunt Harnchai, a consultant at Deye Thailand. Similarly, battery energy storage systems (BESS), which are essential for managing the intermittent nature of solar power, have seen substantial price reductions. A 5-kilowatt-hour BESS that previously cost 250,000 baht now retails for approximately 200,000 baht. While the domestic market outlook remains robust, broader geopolitical developments may also reshape regional dynamics. Industry analysts have indicated that Chinese solar manufacturers may increase exports to Asian markets amid trade tensions with the United States. President Donald Trump has proposed significant tariffs on solar panel imports from Southeast Asia, following allegations that Chinese firms operating in Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam are selling products below production cost due to state subsidies. A final decision from the US International Trade Commission on the proposed tariffs is expected in June. As solar technology becomes more affordable and policy frameworks more supportive, Thailand’s solar rooftop market is expected to expand further, underpinned by growing demand from both commercial and residential sectors. –Bangkok Post

BEIJING: China’s export performance surpassed expectations in April, despite a significant decline in shipments to the United States following the imposition of aggressive new tariffs by the Biden administration. The latest trade data offer an early snapshot of the shifting global trade landscape as tensions between the world’s two largest economies intensify. According to figures released by China’s General Administration of Customs on Friday, total exports rose by 8.1% year-on-year, significantly above economists’ forecast of a 2% increase. Imports, however, edged down by 0.2%, resulting in a robust trade surplus of US$96 billion (RM414.03 billion). The headline growth in exports masks stark divergences in regional performance. Shipments to the US plunged by 21% year-on-year following the early April rollout of tariffs exceeding 100% on a wide range of Chinese goods. In contrast, exports to Southeast Asian nations within the ASEAN bloc surged 21%, while those to the European Union climbed 8%, underscoring China’s accelerating pivot towards other key markets. China’s own retaliatory tariffs led to a 14% drop in imports from the US during the same period, further reflecting the deepening disruption in bilateral trade flows. The April data provide the first official insight into the tangible effects of the latest escalation in trade tensions, though analysts warn that the full economic impact may not become apparent until the coming months. Many experts predict that, barring a de-escalation, trade volumes between China and the US — which reached nearly US$690 billion in 2024 — could shrink dramatically, with widespread implications for global supply chains and pricing pressures on businesses and consumers alike. Efforts to defuse the standoff are set to resume this weekend, as US and Chinese officials convene for the first round of high-level trade talks since President Trump’s departure and President Biden’s administration adopted a more assertive trade stance. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has described the current tariff regime as “unsustainable,” will lead the American delegation in discussions with a Chinese team headed by Vice Premier He Lifeng. Despite hopes from the business community that progress can be made, both sides have reiterated firm negotiating positions. President Biden recently ruled out lowering tariffs as a precondition for broader dialogue, while Beijing maintains that any resolution must begin with a full rollback of existing duties. With the talks scheduled to begin on Saturday, markets and industry stakeholders will be closely monitoring for any signs of compromise — though expectations for a breakthrough remain muted. –Bloomberg

Taiwan’s currency posted its sharpest gains in decades this week, with market derivatives signalling sustained selling pressure on the US dollar amid heightened speculation of policy shifts and trade-driven currency revaluation. The spread between the Taiwan dollar spot rate and its one-year non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) widened to approximately 3,000 pips on Monday, marking the deepest inversion in at least 20 years, according to Bloomberg data. The sharp divergence reflects intense demand for the local currency, amid expectations that Taiwanese authorities may tolerate further appreciation to support ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. Driven by exporters converting foreign earnings and possible portfolio hedging by insurers, the Taiwan dollar surged as much as 5% on Monday—its strongest intraday move since 1988. The rally had a spillover effect on regional currencies including the Malaysian ringgit and Chinese yuan. Strategists suggest the rally may continue, with limited signs of immediate easing. “The talk is around the rush to sell dollars from the exporter market and the lack of any meaningful central bank response,” said Brad Bechtel, Global Head of FX at Jefferies LLC. He added that the trend “could be the start or a sign of something bigger going on in the currency markets.” Despite an official warning against foreign exchange speculation, NDFs—used widely by Taiwanese insurers for offshore hedging—continued to reflect strong demand for the Taiwan dollar during trading in the US market session. The Taiwan dollar gained a further 0.3% on Tuesday, strengthening to 30.05 per US dollar and extending its rally to a seventh consecutive day. Exporter demand remained robust during the morning session, although appetite from overseas investors and retail players moderated slightly, according to traders familiar with the flows. Three of Taiwan’s largest insurers reassured financial regulators that their risk-based capital ratios remain sound and that they do not currently plan to increase hedging activities, the Taipei-based Economic Daily News reported, citing sources. In a move to stabilise sentiment, Taiwan’s central bank attributed the recent spike in the currency to speculative chatter and reaffirmed its stance against disorderly trading. According to Bank of America, Taiwanese life insurers hedged only around 65% of their foreign currency exposure at the end of 2023. With dollar hedges typically incurring high costs, most firms had previously remained under-hedged to benefit from a stronger greenback—though the recent dollar weakness has raised the risk of portfolio losses and liquidity strain. President Lai Ching-te also weighed in on Monday, attributing Taiwan’s growing trade surplus with the US to high demand for the island’s technology exports, rather than currency manipulation. The Office of Trade Negotiations confirmed the completion of initial tariff-reduction talks with the US, clarifying that currency issues were not on the agenda. Michael Wan, Senior FX Analyst at MUFG Bank Ltd, noted that the current appreciation was likely exacerbated by low market liquidity and a confluence of factors including exporter conversion activity, hoarding of US dollar deposits, and increased hedging demand by insurers. –Bloomberg