[DISCLOSURE] Samkang M&T (100090) has signed a 27 billion won (US$17.50 million) MOU with Iranian shipbuilder ISOICO to install a 1000-ton crane, it said on July 20. The deal amounts to 14.04 percent of the firm’s latest total sales. The contract will expire March 18, 2018.

[THE INVESTOR] The euro ended at 1,256.22 won on July 20, down 1.67 won from the previous closing of 1,257.89 won.

[THE INVESTOR] The US dollar ended higher at 1,141.0 won on July 20, up 5.5 won from the previous closing of 1,135.5 won.

[DISCLOSURE] The Korea Development Bank announced on July 20 that it has purchased 4,037,829 shares of Dayou Winia (071460). The acquired shares account for 16.75 percent of the entire stock.Dayou Winia went public on the tech-heavy KOSDAQ on July 14.　

[DISCLOSURE] Hyundai Heavy Industries (009540) will temporarily shut down its plant in Ulsan due to the union’s ongoing partial strike, the shipbuilder of Hyundai Group said on July 20. The Ulsan plant -- which accounted for 47.82 percent of the firm’s total annual revenue last year -- will halt operations from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 20 and 22, respectively. HHI explained that it plans to post further notices on the shut down after negotiating with the union.

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares traded lower late morning on July 20, but pared part of earlier losses on gains in tech stocks.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 5.32 points, or 0.26 percent, to 2,011.57 as of 11:20 a.m.Large caps traded mixed with market kingpin Samsung Electronics adding 0.26 percent.Global chipmaker SK hynix shed 1.54 percent, and POSCO, the country’s leading steelmaker, dropped 1.14 percent.Naver, the operator of the country’s top Internet portal, dipped

[DISCLOSURE] KEC Holdings (006200) has adjusted the conversion price of its convertible bonds with no warranty from 1,082 won to 961 won due to capital increase. The firm added that individuals with special relationship to the company’s largest shareholder have acquired a total of 11.23 million common shares.

[DISCLOSURE] Kang Stem Biotech (217730) announced on July 20 that it has earned patent rights for a pharmaceutical composition comprising stem cells treated with NOD2 agonist for immune disorders and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

[DISCLOSURE] Accupix (056730) has canceled its 3 billion won (US$2.2 million) deal with KIT as the private trading firm went out of business, it said on July 19. The two inked a deal back in 2014 which allowed Accupix to provide a forgery prevention product dubbed M-Tag to KIT.

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares started lower on July 20 as investors opted to cash in part of recent gains amid increased economic uncertainties.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index slipped 7.04 points, or 0.35 percent, to 2,009.85 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Most large caps traded mixed with market kingpin Samsung Electronics falling 0.20 percent.Top automaker Hyundai Motor shed 0.77 percent, and top steelmaker POSCO also fell 1.82 percent.In contrast, Naver, the operator

[THE INVESTOR] The Japanese yen opened at 1,074.30 won on July 20, up 2.67 won from the previous closing of 1,071.63 won.

[THE INVESTOR] KOSDAQ opened higher at 704.02, up 1.58 points on July 20.

[THE INVESTOR] KOSPI opened lower at 2,013.40, down 3.49 points on July 20.

[THE INVESTOR] The euro opened at 1,257.59 won on July 20, down 0.3 won from the previous closing of 1,257.89 won.

[THE INVESTOR] The US dollar opened higher at 1,142.0 won on July 20, up 6.5 won from the previous closing of 1,135.5 won.

[DISCLOSURE] Intops (049070) has decided to invest in auto parts manufacturing firm Mirae (025560) by purchasing 71.33 percent of its entire stock worth 8.3 billion won (US$7.30 million), it announced on July 19 . The spokesperson for Intops explained the investment was based on acquiring motivation for long-term growth.

[DISCLOSURE] Hyundai Investment Securities (003450) reported that it has acquired 266,804 shares of Dongsung Chemical (005190) on July 19. The purchased shares account for 5.03 percent of the entire stock.

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks fell 0.21 percent on July 19, snapping a rise for six straight sessions, as investors attempted to cash in on recent gains. The Korean won fell against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 4.22 points to close at 2,016.89. Trade volume was moderate at 377 million shares worth 3.69 trillion won (US$3.25 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 482 to 296.The local stock market opened lower on profit-taking. Last week, the KOSPI su

[DISCLOSURE] Miwon Chemical (134380) announced on July 19 that a relative of the company’s largest shareholder has sold a total of 416 shares, which takes up 0.02 percent of the entire stock.

[THE INVESTOR] The Japanese yen opened at 1,071.63 won on July 19, down 6.47 won from the previous closing of 1,078.10 won.