Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Korea Zinc Faces Dramatic Stock Drop
Shares in Korea Zinc plunged by 29.9% on Wednesday, hitting the daily lower limit, following the announcement of a new stock issuance worth 2.5 trillion won ($1.81 billion). This development comes as the world’s largest zinc refiner grapples with an internal struggle for control of its $18 billion zinc empire against the Chang family of Young Poong.
New Stock Issuance Details
In a regulatory filing, Korea Zinc disclosed that its board approved the issuance of approximately 3.73 million shares priced at 670,000 won each—57% lower than the previous day's closing price of 1,543,000 won. Notably, 20% of these shares will be allocated to an employee ownership association, potentially strengthening the management's influence over the company.
Strategic Moves to Stabilize the Company
This announcement follows a $1.5 billion share buyback where Korea Zinc repurchased 9.85% of its shares at 890,000 won each, aiming to prevent significant stakeholders from selling their stakes to Young Poong and private equity firm MBK. The new share issuance aims to diversify the company's shareholder base and mitigate the risks associated with potential delisting from the stock market.
Out of the anticipated 2.5 trillion won raised, 2.3 trillion won will be allocated towards debt repayment. The new shares are expected to be listed on December 18.
