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Monday, May 09, 2005

Weak U.S. Dollar and Profit Taking Impact Korean Conglomerates

Recent profit taking by foreign investors and the impact of a weak U.S. dollar has driven down value of Korean top conglomerates. Nevertheless, the rankings of the top firms and their leadership has not changed.

Remaining at the head of the pack, the total value of shares held by Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee is the highest among owners of the nation’s 10 largest conglomerates. Lee’s stakes in the group’s four listed affiliates were valued at 1.38 trillion won ($1.38 billion), down 8.7 percent from 1.51 trillion won on March 11.

Chairman Lee owns 1.91 percent in Samsung electronics, 1.41 percent in Samsung Corp., 0.31 percent in Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance and 0.1 percent in Samsung Securities.

In second place is Hyundai Automotive Group chairman Chung Mong-koo. Chung’s top Hyundai’s holdings include affiliates valued at 1.33 trillion won, down 7 percent from 1.43 trillion won over the 2-month period.

Chung has 7.93 percent in Hyundai Mobis, 5.21 percent in Hyundai Motor, 11.69 percent in INI Steel and 10 percent in Hyundai Hysco.

Meanwhile, LG Group chairman Koo Bon-moo saw the value of his stake drop 7.4 percent to 437.4 billion won from 472.2 billion won over the past two months, while GS Group chairman Huh Chang-soo’ held stakes in the group’s affiliates worth 350.5 billion won, followed by Hanwha Group chairman Kim Seung-youn with 299.2 billion won.

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