PRE-MARKET JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCKS NEWS: Earnings from Kakao and Korea Zinc

JAPAN Koito Manufacturing (7276 JT) - Co. is developing smart automotive lamps capable of projecting signals onto roads to communicate with pedestrians and other drivers as it seeks to defend its global market position. (Nikkei) Marubeni (8002 JT) - Co. CEO Masayuki Omoto said the company needs to expand its India business tenfold over the next decade to capitalise on growing consumer and industrial demand. (Nikkei) McDonald's Holdings Japan (2702 JT) - Co. introduced three new chicken sandwiches and a side item in Japan in October following five years of development as it seeks to compete with KFC amid shifting consumer preferences. (Nikkei) Nidec (6594 JT) - Co. is reportedly set to have JPY 600bln (USD 3.8bln) in credit lines renewed by MUFG Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. to stabilise cash flow following an accounting scandal, although its stock market listing remains at risk. (Nikkei) Nippon Steel (5401 JT) - Co.'s US Steel subsidiary is expected to account for over 40% of its July-September profit, supported by higher US steel prices amid tariffs on imports and strong data centre demand. (Nikkei) Tokai Kogyo Holdings - Co. acquired Nissan-linked automotive supplier Kinugawa Rubber Industrial Holdings as intensifying Chinese competition drives consolidation across Japan's automotive supply chain. (Nikkei) Toyota Motor (7203 JT) - Co. plans to reintroduce its Celica sports car to the World Rally Championship in 2027 after a 32-year absence, with two teams set to compete under new regulations. (Nikkei) Other News - Japan Bank for International Cooperation is reportedly leading a syndicated credit line of up to USD 600mln for Malaysia's Petronas to support carbon emissions reduction projects. (Nikkei) SOUTH KOREA CJ Corp (001040 KS) - Co. is part of the DaouKiwoom-CJ consortium set to acquire JoongAng Ilbo through a KRW 520bln investment in new shares, with CJ contributing 35.7%, Daou Technology 36.5%, Shinsegae 14.1% and Saramin 13.7%. (Yonhap) Hanjin KAL (180640 KS) - Co. said Hoban Construction and related parties have become its largest shareholder after increasing their combined stake to 20.69%, surpassing the 20.58% held by Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae and related parties. (Yonhap) Hyundai Motor (005380 KS) - Co. is set to showcase hydrogen production technologies, hydrogen-powered mobility solutions and hydrogen ecosystem development plans at the World Hydrogen Expo 2026 in South Korea. (Yonhap) Kakao (035720 KS) - Co. Q3 (KRW) net fell 7.9% Y/Y to 177.7bln, EBIT rose 15.5% Y/Y to 240.3bln, rev. was flat Y/Y at 2.08tln. (Yonhap) Korea Zinc (010130 KS) - Co. Q3 (KRW) net rose 218.6% Y/Y to 225.4bln, EBIT fell 48.2% Y/Y to 141.7bln, rev. rose 46.3% Y/Y to 6.08tln. (Yonhap) SK Hynix (000660 KS) - SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won is set to chair the board of HYAICO Corp., the Co.'s US-based AI investment arm, according to SEC filings. (Yonhap) Autos - Sales of imported vehicles in South Korea rose 29.3% Y/Y to 31,117 units in October, driven by strong demand for electric vehicles, according to industry data. (Yonhap) Geopolitical - North Korea said it test-fired a newly developed air defence missile system on November 4th to verify its technical capabilities. (Yonhap)