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LG Energy Solution debuts after $13 trillion frenzy in S.Korea’s biggest IPO (Wed, 26 Jan 2022)
By Heekyong Yang SEOUL (Reuters) – Shares of battery maker LG Energy Solution Ltd (LGES) debut on Thursday after South Korea’s biggest-ever initial public offering (IPO) attracted bids worth $13 trillion, underscoring upbeat prospects for the electric vehicle industry. LGES priced its 12.8 trillion won ($10.7 billion) IPO at the top of the range, becoming South Korea’s third most-valuable company after Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and SK Hynix Inc with a nearly $60 billion market valuation. Spun out of LG Chem Ltd, the firm commands more than 20% of the global EV battery market and supplies Tesla Inc, General Motors Co and Volkswagen AG among others. It sold its shares in the offering at 300,000 won each. Its trading debut will set the tone for upcoming IPOs in South Korea as retail investors – known as “ants” – have flocked to the stock market with liquidity aided by the government’s stimulus policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is quite tricky to predict LGES’ first-day trading performance, mainly because the market’s recent volatility caused by various factors such as investor concerns over the Federal Reserve and how quickly it will move,” said Park Jung-hoon, fund manager at HDC Asset Management in Seoul. More than 4.4 million retail investors bid a record 114 trillion won ($95 billion) to subscribe to shares in the IPO, Asia’s largest equity fund raising since Alibaba raised $12.9 billion in its Hong Kong secondary listing in 2019. Nearly 2,000 foreign and domestic institutional investors lodged bids worth about $12.8 trillion. More than 20 companies went public on South Korea’s main board last year, raising about 17 trillion won, nearly double the previous record of 8.8 trillion won raised in 2010, according to bourse operator Korea Exchange. While LGES’ market value is dwarfed by its bigger Chinese rival Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd’s (CATL) $208 billion market capitalisation, LG Chief Executive Kwon Young-soo has pointed to a 260 trillion won battery order backlog to highlight the company’s growth potential. Analysts caution LGES will still likely face growing competition as Chinese peers expand into the global market and more automakers seek to develop their own EV battery technologies. ($1 = 1,197.2500 won) (Reporting by Heekyong Yang; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Richard Pullin) Brought to you by www.srnnews.com
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Tesla sees supply chain issues throughout 2022, posts record revenue (Wed, 26 Jan 2022)
By Hyunjoo Jin and Nivedita Balu SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -Tesla Inc on Wednesday forecast supply chain issues would persist throughout 2022 and limit electric vehicle production, while posting record quarterly revenue that beat Wall Street expectations. The outlook showed that even Tesla cannot avoid the shortages that were pitfalls for many larger automakers last year. And Tesla has the additional challenge of opening two new factories this year with chips and other parts in short supply. Shares rose 1% in after-hours trade after an initial drop. CFRA analyst Garrett Nelson said the supply chain comments were simply cautionary. “We like how the company is setting up,” he said, adding that the quarterly results looked good. Revenue rose to $17.72 billion in the fourth quarter, from $10.74 billion a year earlier. Analysts had expected the electric-vehicle maker to report revenue of $16.57 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. The world’s most valuable automaker last quarter handed over a record number of vehicles to customers despite supply chain headwinds. “Our own factories have been running below capacity for several quarters as supply chain became the main limiting factor, which is likely to continue through 2022,” Tesla said in a statement. Tesla said on Wednesday that its new factory in Austin has started production of Model Y late last year, adding it plans to start deliveries to customers after final certification, without elaborating on the timeframe. It said it aims to maximize output from its California factory beyond 600,000 vehicles per year. Tesla has fared better than most automakers in managing supply chain issues by using less scarce chips and quickly re-writing software. Tesla faces challenges of scaling up production at two new factories this year with technology changes as well as battery and other supply chain constraints clouding the outlook. It faces rising competition from rivals who are set to launch an array of electric cars, from more affordable models to electric pickups. Tesla’s $4.09 billion in adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) beat the consensus estimate of $3.89 billion, according to Refinitiv. That appeared to qualify Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk for an additional options payout under his 2018 compensation package. Quarterly profits took a $340 million hit from payroll taxes related to Musk exercising options related to his 2012 compensation package. The profits also reflected rising raw material, commodity and logistics costs and expenses related to warranties and recalls. Tesla is recalling more than 475,000 of its Model 3 and Model S electric cars to address rearview camera and trunk issues that increase the risk of crashing. (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin in San Francisco and Nivedita Balu and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Peter Henderson) Brought to you by www.srnnews.com
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White House downplays speculation of VP Harris court nomination (Wed, 26 Jan 2022)
The White House is downplaying speculation that Vice President Harris could be nominated to the Supreme Court. President Biden has said he’s committed to putting a Black woman on the nation’s highest court. Asked if Vice President Harris would be considered, White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the president intends to run for re-election with Harris as his running mate. The White House is refusing to discuss a possible Supreme Court vacancy until a formal announcement is made by longtime Justice Stephen Breyer. Brought to you by www.srnnews.com
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Biden poised to make history with Supreme Court nomination (Wed, 26 Jan 2022)
President Biden is poised to make history with his forthcoming Supreme Court nomination. The White House is refusing to discuss a possible Supreme Court vacancy until a formal announcement is made by longtime Justice Stephen Breyer. However, Press Secretary Jen Psaki says the president plans to follow through on a pledge to put a Black woman on the high court. Several names are being circulated as potential nominees, including California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger and U-S Circuit Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Brought to you by www.srnnews.com
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