Few developments can alter the landscape of an investment thesis as abruptly as the onset of armed conflict, and this week's unfortunate exchange of artillery fire between North and South Korea forces cautious Fools to reassess their exposure to the region.
My aim here is not to assess whether or not hostilities will continue or escalate on the Korean peninsula. Fools are encouraged to discuss their opinions on that important matter in the comments section below, but the purpose of this article is to remind folks that a truly successful investment thesis is likely to hold up to renewed scrutiny even when the broader landscape turns decidedly unfriendly.
With the iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund
Steelmaker POSCO
Building upon momentum from prior inroads into places like India and Vietnam, POSCO recently signed a key memorandum with Russian steelmaker Mechel
Russia boasts the world's leading portfolio of iron ore deposits -- and the second-largest supply of coal -- much of which is located close to the Korean peninsula in eastern Siberia. POSCO will assist Mechel with the expansion and modernization of port facilities, and assist with the development of mines like Mechel's Elga coal field. At 2.2 billion tons, this one deposit equates to more than 78% of Massey Energy's
With coal miner Peabody Energy