TSMC Gradually Restarts Japan Chip Plant After Kumamoto Earthquake 
Qualcomm Stock Falls as Weak Q4 Forecast, Apple Revenue Decline Overshadow AI Data Center Growth 
Standard Chartered Beats Profit Forecasts as First-Half Earnings Rise 9% 
Air Liquide Q2 Sales Growth Tops Forecast as Electronics Business Drives Strong Performance 
Starbucks Stock Jumps as Q3 Earnings Beat, Sales Growth Drives Higher 2026 Outlook 
Rio Tinto Stock Jumps as Strong Earnings, Higher Dividend and AI Metal Demand Boost Outlook 
Seagate Stock Jumps as AI-Fueled Earnings Beat and Strong FY2027 Outlook Impress Investors 
BHP, Port Hedland Unions Fail to Reach Wage Deal as Negotiations Continue 
Russia Charges Telegram Founder Pavel Durov With Facilitating Terrorism, Seeks International Arrest 
Sika Raises 2026 Sales Outlook After Strong First-Half Results Beat Expectations 
Unilever Raises 2026 Sales Outlook After Strong Q2 Volume Growth 
Toyota First-Half Global Sales and Production Decline on Weak China Demand, RAV4 Transition 
SK Hynix Q2 Profit Hits Record as AI Memory Chip Demand Fuels Growth 
Stellantis Sells Free2move Car-Sharing Business to Mutares to Strengthen Core Auto Strategy 
Barclays Q2 Profit Beats Forecasts as Investment Banking Strength Offsets Higher Costs 
Sony Eyes $1.3 Billion Tamron Acquisition as Lens Maker Reviews Offer 
TeamViewer Shares Fall Despite Profit Growth as ARR and Customer Base Decline 
The Korea Exchange received 20 preliminary applications for initial public offerings in April, five times higher than in March.
According to SK Securities analyst Lee So-joong, the sudden increase in applications was due to the sharp decline of confirmed COVID-19 cases and the continued stock index rally in mid-April.
Lee expects more increases in IPO applications in May.
He added that there is an increasing number of companies developing non-face-to-face services that will soon make their market debut.
The internet-only Kakao Bank and South Korea's leading e-commerce company Tmon are also set for listing.
Investors' interest is set to shift to e-commerce and 5G network due to the COVID-19 impact. Traditionally, materials, parts, and equipment sectors are popular with investors.
Among the companies that applied for a preliminary IPO in March include technology firms such as WiPAM, VINA Tech, and Aim Systems.
