Journalist

Ryu Yuna
  • KOSPI remains regional winner, Hyundai Motor gains on CES momentum
    KOSPI remains regional winner, Hyundai Motor gains on CES momentum SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) — South Korean stocks remained the regional standout on Wednesday, extending their record-setting rally despite a broadly subdued mood across Asian markets. The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.6 percent to close at a fresh all-time high of 4,551.06. Foreign investors were the primary drivers, snapping up a net 1.25 trillion Korean won (US$930 million), while retail investors and institutions sold roughly 294 billion won ($219 million) and 940 billion won ($700 million), respectively. Among large-cap stocks, Hyundai Motor surged 13.8 percent to 350,500 won ($262), leading the market higher. The rally followed Chairman Chung Eui-sun's high-profile appearances at CES 2026, as well as reports of deeper cooperation with Nvidia and other global technology firms. Investors have increasingly focused on Hyundai’s push into robotics and its broader "physical AI" strategy. Samsung Electronics rose 1.5 percent to 141,000 won ($105), while SK hynix gained 2.2 percent to 742,000 won ($556), supported by sustained optimism over AI-driven memory demand and recent target-price upgrades from global investment banks. Analysts said momentum tied to CES-related headlines could cool in the near term, but added that Hyundai's longer-term robotics push and software-defined manufacturing strategy are likely to remain structural drivers for the stock. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ underperformed, falling 0.9 percent to 947.39. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 slid 1.06 percent to 51,962.0, while China's Shanghai Composite was flat in late trade. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell about 1.2 percent. 2026-01-07 16:48:36
  • KOSPI blasts through 4,500, stealing the spotlight in a solid Asian session
    KOSPI blasts through 4,500, stealing the spotlight in a solid Asian session SEOUL, Jan. 6 (AJP) — Asian markets were broadly in the green on Tuesday, but one market didn’t just rise — it showed off. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI smashed through the long-watched 4,500 level, capping a blistering start to the year that has already rewritten the index’s record book. The rally has been fast, loud and unapologetic: more than 13 percent in under two weeks, with 4,300 and 4,400 barely registering as speed bumps. Retail investors, who sat out much of last year’s grind, are back with conviction. They snapped up a net 597.6 billion won worth of shares, emboldened by a growing chorus of forecasts calling for a run toward 5,000. Heavyweights did the heavy lifting. Samsung Electronics climbed to 138,900 won, while SK hynix surged to 726,000 won, extending the AI-driven chip rally. Hyundai Motor advanced to 308,000 won, and Celltrion rose to 213,000 won. Not everything joined the party. LG Energy Solution traded lower, while NAVER edged higher in subdued fashion. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ lagged behind the headline-grabbing rally, slipping 0.16 percent to 955.97, as institutions and foreign investors locked in profits after recent gains. The tone there was cautious rather than euphoric — a reminder that this rally has been selective. In currency markets, the dollar strengthened slightly, rising 1.7 won to 1,445.5, but the move failed to dent equity momentum. Across the region, markets were steady rather than spectacular. Japan’s Nikkei hovered near record territory above 52,500, while China’s Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng traded higher in afternoon sessions. For now, investors appear willing to look past valuation worries, betting that earnings momentum — especially tied to AI and large-cap exporters — can keep the rally alive. Attention is shifting toward upcoming U.S. economic data and policy signals, but until those turn hostile, Korea’s market looks intent on enjoying its moment above 4,500. 2026-01-06 17:31:12
  • HOT STOCK: Hyundai Motor jumps over 4% early Tuesday on robotics timeline
    HOT STOCK: Hyundai Motor jumps over 4% early Tuesday on robotics timeline SEOUL, January 6 (AJP) - Shares of Hyundai Motor surged in early trading Tuesday, as investors cheered the company's newly unveiled AI and robotics roadmap at CES 2026, fueling optimism that growth engines beyond its core automotive business are taking clearer shape. As of 9:14 a.m., Hyundai Motor was trading at 317,500 won(US$235), up 13,000 won, or 4.27 percent, from the previous close of 304,500 won. The stock briefly climbed as high as 330,000 won before paring gains amid broad profit-taking. By 10:24 a.m., shares eased to 307,500 won, tracking a broader market pause after recent gains. The KOSPI slipped 0.4 percent to 4,438.4 as investors locked in profits following the index's year-end rally. The stock opened strong following Hyundai Motor Group's overnight presentation at CES in Las Vegas, where the company laid out a detailed timeline for AI-driven robotics and so-called "physical AI" technologies, underscoring its push to integrate artificial intelligence into manufacturing, mobility and industrial automation. Chung Euisun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, has recently described artificial intelligence as a "winnable game" for the group, citing strengths in physical manufacturing, mobility platforms and real-world data. According to industry sources, Chung has emphasized that Hyundai's ability to integrate AI across vehicles, robots and production systems gives it a structural edge over peers. At CES, the group showcased its humanoid robot Atlas, outlining plans to begin mass production in 2028 and deploy the robots at scale on U.S. assembly lines by 2030 — a timeline that analysts said helped crystallize Hyundai's commercialization strategy. Momentum was further bolstered after Hyundai's autonomous mobility robot platform MobED won the Best of Innovation Award in the robotics category at CES 2026. The accolade marked Hyundai’s first top-tier innovation award at the exhibition and was widely viewed as external validation of its robotics technology and commercialization potential. Hyundai said it plans to leverage its software-defined factory (SDF) framework to test and validate robotics technologies in live manufacturing environments before scaling them into broader industrial, commercial and daily-life applications. Analysts said the approach signals a shift from concept-driven showcases toward practical deployment and ecosystem building — improving visibility on future monetization from AI and robotics initiatives. Hyundai Motor reported on Monday that it sold 4.14 million vehicles in 2025, down 0.1 percent from 2024, with domestic sales rising 1.1 percent while overseas sales fell 0.3 percent. 2026-01-06 11:27:50
  • HOT STOCK: Doosan Enerbility jumps over 10% on AI-driven power demand
    HOT STOCK: Doosan Enerbility jumps over 10% on AI-driven power demand SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - Shares of Doosan Enerbility surged more than 10 percent on Monday, buoyed by a string of major orders spanning offshore wind and nuclear power, as rising electricity demand in the AI era fuels investor optimism toward power infrastructure plays. The stock ended at 83,200 won, up 10.64 percent. Trading volume topped 12 million shares, well above recent averages, reflecting heightened investor interest. The shares have risen more than fourfold from their closing level of 18,190 won a year earlier. The rally followed news that the company last week secured a 575 billion won ($430 million) engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Yawol Offshore Wind Power for the 104-megawatt Yeonggwang Yawol Offshore Wind Farm in South Jeolla Province. Under the deal, Doosan Enerbility will supply and install 13 units of its 8-megawatt offshore wind turbines and oversee the entire EPC process, with completion slated for March 2029. The project marks the first commercial deployment of the company’s domestically developed 8-megawatt-class offshore wind turbines, which have received UL certification. Analysts said the contract signals a shift from development to full-scale commercialization, improving earnings visibility through EPC revenue and planned long-term maintenance services. Investor sentiment was further supported by the company’s expanding nuclear power business. Doosan Enerbility recently won a 5.64 trillion won order to supply key equipment for the expansion of the Dukovany nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic, reinforcing its position in the global nuclear supply chain. Expectations of accelerating global investment in nuclear power and small modular reactors, driven by surging electricity demand from AI data centers — particularly in the United States — also boosted foreign investor appetite for the stock, analysts said. 2026-01-05 16:21:05