Today's Finance and Economy

Samsung Electronics & SK Hynix See Single-Digit Drops, Leverage ETFs Halved... The Terrifying 'Negative Compounding' A performance report on single-stock leverage ETFs, just four months after their launch, shows that from May 27 to September 23 this year, Samsung Electronics fell 4.52% and SK Hynix dropped 9.26%. The decline for single-stock leverage ETFs ranged from 30% to 50%. National Pension Service Nearing End of Audit into Real Estate Investment Division Amid 'Abuse of Power' Controversy... Disciplinary Committee to Convene The National Pension Service (NPS), which manages the nation's retirement funds totaling 1,900 trillion won, is nearing the completion of its audit into allegations of abuse of power and illicit solicitation involving the former head of its real estate investment division. A disciplinary committee is set to be formed. Civic groups are urging the NPS to strengthen its self-rectification functions, warning that failure to do so and subsequent revelations by investigative authorities would bring great shame to the NPS. One Month Left Until 'Low PBR Improvement Plan Deadline'... Rights Offerings & Hybrid Securities Expected to Decrease With the first public announcement looming in November, pressure is mounting on companies with low PBR (Price-to-Book Ratio) to submit improvement plans. Consequently, rights offerings and the issuance of hybrid securities (like contingent convertible bonds) are expected to decrease, particularly among small and mid-cap companies. Companies must disclose their improvement plans by the 22nd of next month, with disclosure potentially being deferred upon submission. Will KOSDAQ Surpass KOSPI After Chuseok?... 'Three Key Conditions' Will Determine the Outcome While the KOSPI typically outperforms the KOSDAQ towards the end of the year, there's a possibility for the KOSDAQ to surpass the KOSPI this year if three conditions are met: a 'large-cap void,' 'theme formation,' and a 'turnaround in trading volume.' Sectors such as semiconductor equipment, robotics, and those benefiting from policy support are noted as key variables.