Nike Beats Q3 Estimates but China Weakness and Margin Pressure Weigh on Outlook 
Japan Business Sentiment Rises as Iran War Fuels Inflation Fears, BOJ Rate Hike Looms 
South Korea's $17.3 Billion Emergency Budget Targets Oil Price Surge 
Europe's Aviation Sector on Track to Meet 2025 Green Fuel Mandate 
Aluminum Prices Surge Toward Four-Year Highs After Gulf Smelter Strikes 
Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Conflict Keeps Supply Risks Elevated 
Microsoft Eyes $7B Texas Energy Deal to Power AI Data Centers 
Novartis to Acquire Biotech Firm Excellergy in $2 Billion Deal 
McDonald's and Restaurant Brands International Face Headwinds Amid Iran Conflict and Rising Costs 
Iran Strikes Oil Tanker Near Dubai Amid U.S. Threats and Ongoing Middle East Conflict 
WTO Ministerial Collapse Leaves Global Digital Trade Rules in Limbo 
Japan's Business Confidence Rises Despite Iran War Uncertainty, BOJ Rate Hike Expected 
Dollar Surges to Monthly High as Middle East Conflict Rattles Global Markets 
Unilever and Magnum Face Defamation Lawsuit Over Ben & Jerry's Board Chair Dismissal 
Asian Stocks Mixed in March 2026 Amid Iran War Fears and Tech Selloff 
Bessent: Global Oil Market Well Supplied as U.S. Eyes Hormuz Navigation Control 
Dollar Surges to Nine-Month High as Middle East Tensions Drive Safe-Haven Demand 
Hybe affirmed on Tuesday this week that it is planning to acquire SM Entertainment through a stake owned by its founder Lee Soo Man. The company also explained that the purchase is not a hostile merger and acquisition strategy like what those opposing the takeover claim.
Rather, Hybe said that its acquisition of SM Entertainment would help SM artists to advance their careers in North America. The BTS agency said that if its M&A plans push through, the artists will advance overseas as well.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hybe recently agreed to buy a 14.8% stake in SM Entertainment through Lee Soo Man's more than 18% stake. It is also making an offer to buy an additional 25% of SME from other shareholders. Then again, some high-ranking executives of SM Entertainment expressed their strong opposition to the acquisition plan.
They have been openly criticizing Hybe's acquisition plan and went as far as calling it a hostile takeover. This is why the entertainment firm that also houses the 7-member superstar boy group, BTS, released a statement to deny the allegation.
"We do not think the company's acquisition of SM shares is a hostile merger and acquisition," Park Ji Won, Hybe's chief executive officer, said during the company's performance conference. "That is because we agreed to buy shares held by SM's largest shareholder (Lee) through mutual consent and publicly offered to buy shares from smaller shareholders on the same condition as the largest shareholder."
The CEO reiterated they have no intention to be aggressive toward the current SME management. He continued to stress that the acquisition deal will only have a positive outcome as it is expected to create big synergy in the entertainment industry.
"Hybe can help SM artists advance into the North American market using BTS' great achievements in the market, and the network and know-how of Ithaca Holdings," Park explained. "SM's overwhelming infrastructure in Southeast Asia and China can help Hybe artists enter the markets, too."
