Presidential candidates fuel hope for domestic market-oriented stocks

KOSPI-listed companies that rely on domestic consumers for sales of their goods and services are drawing attention from investors as major presidential candidates pledge to boost domestic demand once elected. Market analysts said Monday that stocks of domestic market-focused firms, including those in retail, food and beverage, shopping, cosmetics and entertainment sectors, are increasingly attractive. This came as Lee Jae-myung, the presidential frontrunner from the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), and Kim Moon-soo, Lee’s opponent from the conservative People Power Party (PPP), both underline the need to stimulate domestic demand. Central to their pledges is improving public livelihoods at a time when households increasingly struggle with the high cost of living and have been reducing household spending. The candidates also seek to help small businesses and self-employed individuals, many of whom have been hit hard by sluggish consumer spending. While domestic consumption and exports are two key drivers of Korea's economic growth, export-oriented companies have largely prevailedWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times