China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Innovent Biologics Shares Rally on New Eli Lilly Oncology and Immunology Deal 
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Yen Firms on Intervention Talk 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
Amazon Stock Rebounds After Earnings as $200B Capex Plan Sparks AI Spending Debate 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Australian Household Spending Dips in December as RBA Tightens Policy 
Toyota’s Surprise CEO Change Signals Strategic Shift Amid Global Auto Turmoil 
Kroger Set to Name Former Walmart Executive Greg Foran as Next CEO 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Hahn & Company finally completed the merger and acquisition deal to buy SK Group’s industrial film business under its SKC affiliate. The South Korean private equity firm is investing $1.2 billion in the deal.
According to The Korea Herald, this is the largest M&A to close in the country this year, and it was completed amid global economic turmoil. Hahn & Co. said it sees SKC’s industrial film division as having big potential because its products are widely used in semiconductor, mobile, and display productions as technologies advance.
The PEF firm also noted that in 2021, SKC’s industrial film unit alone raked in KRW1.2 trillion in profits and became the largest player in South Korea, and placed fourth on the international stage. In any case, it was in June this year when Hahn & Co. inked an agreement with SK Group for the purchase of a 100% stake in the said business unit of SKC company.
The deal with SK Group is Hahn & Company’s fourth acquisition in the country since the COVID-19 pandemic started two years ago. While there is the possibility of recession due to rising inflation and overall economic instability, the company said it will still continue to seek new growth drivers and boasts it was able to retain its No. 1 position in the market. The PEF firm has already spent some $27 billion on its acquisitions since its establishment.
“This transaction represents an important milestone in what has been highly volatile M&A markets globally and within Korea,” Hahn Sang Won, Hahn & Co.’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “We are excited to further expand SKC’s industrial film business globally and catapult the business to the next level of technological excellence and competitiveness.”
Meanwhile, The Korea Times reported that based on the company’s broad investment portfolio in the local manufacturing businesses, it is expected to make attempts to raise its acquired SKC industrial film business’ corporate values and competitiveness. From here, Hahn & Co. will keep building up its successful track record of buying and transforming local businesses in the country.
