PRE-MARKET JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCKS NEWS: Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) unveiled its next-generation high-bandwidth memory HBM4E during an annual technology conference hosted by NVIDIA (NVDA)

JAPAN

Daifuku (6383 JT) - Co. plans to start testing humanoid robots for logistics in as little as three years as it seeks to extend its market share in factory and warehouse systems with labour-saving and fully automated solutions. (Nikkei)

Fast Retailing (9983 JT) - Co. unit Uniqlo is negotiating a partnership agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team in a bid to increase name recognition. (Nikkei)

Idemitsu Kosan (5019 JT) - Co. has begun reducing ethylene production at two domestic plants due to a shortage of the oil-derived raw material naphtha as the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to spread across industries amid the Iran war. (Nikkei)

J. Front Retailing (3086 JT) - Co.’s total consolidated revenue fell over 13% Y/Y in February, according to a filing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. (Newswires)

NEC Corp (6701 JT) - Co. is to invest JPY 100bln in undersea cable over 5 years. (Nikkei)

Nissan (7201 JT) - Nissan Kyushu is to cut output due to lower demand from the Middle East. (Nishinippon Shimbun)

Sanko Sangyo (5697 JT) - Steel Partners Holdings has made a counteroffer to buy the Co., which supplies industrial-use printed products, in a move that is not a traditional activist play, Executive Chairman Warren Lichtenstein told Nikkei. (Nikkei)

Shin-Etsu Chemical (4063 JT) - Co. will raise PVC resin prices by JPY 30 per kg from April 1. (Newswires)

Other News

Japan and the US have discussed a USD 100mln shipbuilding investment in the US. (Newswires)

Japan’s FSA is reportedly planning to increase penalties related to crypto infringements. (Newswires)

Canada pension funds to boost Japan stock holdings and reduce US exposure. (Nikkei)

SOUTH KOREA

Celltrion (068270 KS) - Co. said it signed a KRW 294.9bln contract manufacturing agreement with a global pharmaceutical company for biopharmaceutical drug substance production, with the deal potentially expanding to KRW 375.4bln through future discussions. (ChosunBiz)

Hyundai Motor (005380 KS) - Co. and Kia Corporation (000270 KS) announced an expanded strategic partnership with NVIDIA (NVDA) to advance autonomous driving technology development. (Dow Jones Newsplus)

POSCO Future M (003670 KS) - Co. said it secured a KRW 1tln contract to supply battery materials to a global automaker. (Yonhap)

Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) - Co. unveiled its next-generation high-bandwidth memory HBM4E during an annual technology conference hosted by NVIDIA (NVDA). (Yonhap)

SK Hynix (000660 KS) - SK Group Chairman said SK Hynix is considering a US ADR listing to expand its global investor base. (Newswires)