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  • Korea’s ‘Million-Won’ Stocks Jump to 9 as KOSPI Rally Lifts High-Priced Shares
    Korea’s ‘Million-Won’ Stocks Jump to 9 as KOSPI Rally Lifts High-Priced Shares A new era of so-called “million-won stocks” is taking shape in South Korea as a market rally pushes more shares above 1 million won. In less than five months, the number of such stocks has grown to nine from four, and the pipeline of potential newcomers is also expanding. The Korea Exchange said the KOSPI closed Thursday up 57.88 points, or 0.90%, at 6,475.81, extending its run of three straight record closes. The index briefly topped 6,500 in intraday trading. The gains came despite external uncertainty over stalled ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran, as buying concentrated in sectors seen as beneficiaries of the postwar environment, including semiconductors and defense. As the rally accelerated, more stocks joined the million-won club based on closing prices: Hyosung Heavy Industries (3,268,000 won), Korea Zinc (1,674,000), Samsung Biologics (1,514,000), Doosan (1,442,000), Hanwha Aerospace (1,425,000), Samyang Foods (1,344,000), SK hynix (1,225,000), Taekwang Industrial (1,217,000) and HD Hyundai Electric (1,129,000). The count has more than doubled from four at the end of last year. A day earlier, LIG Defense & Aerospace closed at 1.02 million won, putting it on the verge of becoming the 10th member. Hyosung Heavy Industries has been at the center of the surge. Its share price, 1,781,000 won at the end of last year, climbed to a closing 3,058,000 won on April 13, breaking above 3 million won. It is now the highest-priced stock among listed Korean companies. A close above 3 million won was the first in 11 years since Amorepacific and the third such case on record. Brokerages have raised targets accordingly, with Yuanta Securities setting a target price of 4.2 million won. Targets for other high-priced stocks have also been moving higher. Shinhan Investment raised its target for Korea Zinc to 1.9 million won, forecasting further gains. Hana Securities lifted its target for LIG Defense & Aerospace by 56.3% to 1.11 million won. Hana said expectations for exports of the Cheongung-II air defense system could persist because shortages of Patriot interceptor missiles continue and rapid production increases are difficult in the short term. The next tier is also growing. Nine stocks closed above 500,000 won, including Samsung Electro-Mechanics (774,000 won), SK Square (728,000), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (641,000) and Samsung SDI (630,000). Still, some in the market are wary of what is sometimes called the “million-won stock curse.” Past cases show that after reaching the milestone, some stocks have faced pullbacks as liquidity thins and valuations look stretched. An industry official said, “Whether they settle in at these levels will ultimately be decided by earnings and the order pipeline.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 18:15:19
  • Dalba Global Shares Rise Nearly 8% on Buyback Plan and Strong Q1 Outlook
    Dalba Global Shares Rise Nearly 8% on Buyback Plan and Strong Q1 Outlook Dalba Global shares climbed in intraday trading on April 23, buoyed by expectations that a planned share buyback and cancellation will boost shareholder value and by forecasts of strong first-quarter results. According to the Korea Exchange, Dalba Global was trading at 230,000 won as of 1:47 p.m., up 17,000 won, or 7.98%, from the previous session. The company said the previous day it will acquire about 20 billion won worth of its own shares through a trust contract to enhance shareholder value and fund stock compensation for employees. Investor expectations for first-quarter earnings also supported the stock. In a recent report, Shinyoung Securities analyst Lee Gyo-seok said sales in North America and Europe are expected to rise 200% from a year earlier, driving results. He forecast domestic sales would increase 15% year over year to 57.7 billion won, citing a more diversified channel mix including Olive Young, home shopping and Naver Smart Store. Lee said the company has continued double-digit domestic growth even as competition has intensified and growth has slowed for other major indie brands, adding that expanded sales of multi balm and double cream products, which are less affected by seasonality, could further improve performance. Shinyoung expects first-quarter revenue to rise 46% from a year earlier to 166.4 billion won and operating profit to increase 29% to 38.8 billion won, for an operating margin of 23.3%. The brokerage raised its target price to 240,000 won from 200,000 won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 14:00:54
  • Cuccon Shares Rise Early on Expectations for New Growth Drivers
    Cuccon Shares Rise Early on Expectations for New Growth Drivers Cuccon shares rose in early trading on April 23 after a brokerage assessment pointed to clearer prospects for new growth drivers. According to the Korea Exchange, Cuccon was trading at 31,900 won as of 9:45 a.m., up 6.33% from the previous session. Earlier in the day, NH Investment & Securities said Cuccon’s stablecoin strategy is focused less on issuing coins directly and more on building a “payment infrastructure hub” that links existing financial networks with the blockchain ecosystem. The firm said Cuccon, which has offline QR payments and an ATM cash-withdrawal network, is building partnership models with digital-asset wallet companies, giving it the ability to execute real business models. NH Investment & Securities added that if stablecoins take hold as an everyday payment method, Cuccon could strengthen its position as an integrated payment platform by adding blockchain payment rails to existing card- and account-based networks. It also said the company is accelerating efforts to secure an early lead in blockchain-based stablecoin payment infrastructure in response to stablecoin legislation expected this year. The brokerage forecast this year’s revenue at 75 billion won, up 8.1% from a year earlier, and operating profit at 21.4 billion won, up 13.4%. It said the data services segment is expected to benefit as the share of lower-margin SI build projects declines, while higher-value services such as a medical “MyData” business and AI MCP products are expected to be commercialized in the second half of the year. NH Investment & Securities did not provide a separate investment rating or target price for Cuccon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 10:08:56
  • Hana Securities Keeps PharmaResearch Target, Sees Strong Cosmetics Growth at Home and Abroad
    Hana Securities Keeps PharmaResearch Target, Sees Strong Cosmetics Growth at Home and Abroad Hana Securities said Wednesday it expects PharmaResearch’s medical-device exports to rebound after bottoming out in the first quarter, while both domestic and overseas cosmetics sales post strong growth. The brokerage maintained its 480,000-won target price and “buy” rating. In a report, analyst Kim Da-hye said the first quarter likely marked the low point for the year due to softer demand in China and Japan and shipping disruptions in the Middle East. She added that demand adjustments tied to tighter Chinese regulations were already reflected in the company’s business plan, and that Middle East growth targets were conservative and should not affect whether guidance is met. Kim said additional shipments to European distributor VIVACY were proceeding as planned, reaching a cumulative 6 billion won in April and projected to total about 12 billion won for the year. She estimated cosmetics domestic sales at 12.4 billion won, up 17% from a year earlier, and exports at 25.5 billion won, up 48%. She said Rejuran Cosmetics entered about 400 Sephora offline stores in the United States and China in March and signed a distribution agreement with Silicon2. She cited participation in a Coachella booth in April and a European pop-up event in May as factors supporting expectations for strong cosmetics export growth this year through increased consumer exposure. Kim said competition from ECM skin boosters is likely to split demand among domestic consumers, but argued Rejuran could recover its valuation multiple because it is the only product among polynucleotide, or PN, injectables. She said ECM skin boosters face intensifying competition, while Rejuran holds a dominant position in PN injectables. She said that, as PharmaResearch recovered its multiple during the high-growth period of Juvelook, differences in efficacy stemming from a different mechanism than ECM skin boosters could support Rejuran regaining ground. She forecast this year’s revenue at 666.5 billion won, up 24% from a year earlier, and operating profit at 274.3 billion won, up 27%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 08:18:59
  • South Korea’s Kospi Closes Above 6,400, Sets Fresh Record a Day After New High
    South Korea’s Kospi Closes Above 6,400, Sets Fresh Record a Day After New High South Korea’s Kospi broke above the 6,400 mark on expectations of improving semiconductor conditions and continued foreign inflows, setting a fresh record just one day after reaching an all-time high for the first time in about two months. The benchmark closed April 22 at 6,417.93, up 29.46 points, or 0.46%, from the previous session, according to the Korea Exchange. The index opened lower at 6,387.57, quickly turned higher and rose as far as 6,400.11 before finishing with gains after choppy trading. Retail investors bought a net 1.7821 trillion won, while foreigners and institutions sold a net 750.7 billion won and 923.8 billion won, respectively, as they took profits. Large-cap shares were mixed. SK hynix rose 0.25%, LG Energy Solution gained 1.26%, Doosan Enerbility added 0.09% and Hanwha Aerospace climbed 1.80%. Samsung Electronics fell 0.46%, Hyundai Motor slipped 0.92% and Samsung Biologics dropped 1.39%. By sector, moves were also mixed. Electronics rose 0.27%, transportation equipment and parts jumped 2.71%, chemicals gained 1.56%, machinery and equipment added 0.56%, IT services rose 0.66%, metals climbed 3.00% and distribution gained 0.27%. Financials fell 0.32%, pharmaceuticals dropped 0.95%, insurance slid 1.76% and brokerages fell 0.21%. The Kosdaq also ended higher. It opened down 2.20 points, or 0.19%, at 1,176.83, then rebounded to close up 2.09 points, or 0.18%, at 1,181.12. On the Kosdaq, individuals and foreigners were net buyers of 405.4 billion won and 97.6 billion won, while institutions sold a net 374.3 billion won. Most Kosdaq heavyweights fell, with the exceptions of EcoPro, up 0.06%, and Lino Industrial, up 1.43%. EcoPro BM fell 1.13%, Alteogen dropped 2.44%, Rainbow Robotics slipped 0.67%, Samchundang Pharm plunged 15.88%, Kolon TissueGene fell 2.16%, ABL Bio dropped 3.66%, HLB fell 2.72% and LigaChem Bio slid 2.89%. Analysts said the market’s downside has held up despite external uncertainties. Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, said the Kospi stayed in a narrow range despite uncertainty over Iran talks and fading expectations for rate cuts. “External factors are stirring risk-off sentiment, but earnings and order momentum are supporting the market’s lower bound,” Lee said, adding that early losses widened before the index rebounded and moved sideways near flat levels. Overnight, U.S. stocks fell as uncertainty grew over a second round of talks between the United States and Iran. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 0.59%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell 0.63% and 0.59%, respectively. Microsoft rose 1.46% and Amazon gained 0.66%, while Nvidia fell 1.08% and Tesla dropped 1.55%, leaving major tech shares mixed. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 0.50%, as skepticism spread over the resumption of U.S.-Iran negotiations, weakening expectations for an end to the conflict.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 16:14:03
  • LS Electric Shares Rise More Than 5% After Record First-Quarter Results
    LS Electric Shares Rise More Than 5% After Record First-Quarter Results LS Electric shares climbed in intraday trading after the company reported its best-ever first-quarter results. As of 2:46 p.m. on the 22nd, LS Electric was trading at 194,000 won, up 5.04% from the previous session, according to the Korea Exchange. The gain was attributed to improved investor sentiment after the company posted record first-quarter performance, supported by growing demand for power infrastructure for global data centers. LS Electric said the previous day that preliminary consolidated operating profit for the first quarter totaled 126.6 billion won, up 45% from a year earlier. Revenue rose 33.4% to 1.3766 trillion won, and net profit jumped 77.6% to 119.6 billion won. Brokerages also raised target prices to reflect the stronger results. Lee Sang-hyeon, an analyst at BNK Investment & Securities, wrote in a report on the 22nd that the company showed “clear growth” and largely met the operating-profit consensus. He said the strong first quarter was not a one-off and forecast orders and sales would continue to trend higher through the second, third and fourth quarters. Lee said new orders from big tech companies for data center projects are expected to rise at least 50% from 1 trillion won last year to more than 1.5 trillion won this year, and raised his target price to 230,000 won from 194,000 won. Lee Dong-heon, an analyst at Shinhan Investment Corp., said the stock’s “expensive valuation” could be tolerated if additional earnings growth follows from mid- to long-term orders, adding that the key issue is how much the company can expand its market position. He set a target price of 210,000 won, up from 129,000 won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 15:04:18
  • Brokerages Revamp Mobile Trading Apps as Platform Competition Intensifies
    Brokerages Revamp Mobile Trading Apps as Platform Competition Intensifies Brokerages are racing to overhaul their mobile trading systems, or MTS, as a buoyant stock market draws more investors and intensifies competition to keep users on their platforms. Analysts say rivalry in the sector is shifting from transaction fees to platform strength. According to the financial investment industry on April 22, Next Securities is developing a next-generation MTS that combines artificial intelligence with short-form content, aiming for a launch in the second half of this year. The company plans to put short, easy-to-digest investing content front and center so users of all ages can navigate the app more intuitively. To support the push, Next Securities has expanded its retail organization from about 100 people at its launch last year to about 160, assigning a significant share to MTS development. While many established brokerages have been cautious about major UI and UX changes that could trigger user pushback, Next Securities says it will take a “zero-base” approach to build an entirely new investing environment. Hana Securities is preparing to release a new MTS app in the first half of the year with stronger AI and digital features. It plans to add a “simple mode” to keep the experience familiar for existing users while attracting new investors, a strategy seen as targeting investors in their 20s and 30s with a more intuitive interface. LS Securities also revamped the main screen of its MTS, “Toohon,” this month, separating domestic and overseas stock markets into independent tabs and adding a dedicated menu for exchange-traded funds. Other firms are upgrading existing platforms. Mirae Asset Securities recently redesigned the UX of the “MY Assets” feature in its MTS, “M-STOCK,” so users can view previously scattered asset information on a single screen. Kakao Securities strengthened server stability — including shift-based operations — after MTS disruptions that occurred when traffic surged during a period of heightened market volatility. Meritz Securities is also moving ahead with partial MTS changes while accelerating preparations to launch its web trading system, “Moeum.” The company aims to broaden contact with younger investors and differentiate communication features through a structure designed to connect with multiple platforms rather than being tied to a single app. “An MTS overhaul is essential to create a lock-in effect,” an industry official said. “Legacy brokerages will focus on simplification to bring in younger investors, while new platforms will expand functions and gradually add more heft.” 2026-04-22 14:54:32
  • Kospi Briefly Tops 6,400 After Record High, Then Turns Choppy
    Kospi Briefly Tops 6,400 After Record High, Then Turns Choppy The Kospi swung between gains and losses early April 22 after touching the 6,400 level, as expectations for an improving semiconductor cycle and foreign inflows helped the benchmark set a fresh record high for the first time in about two months. According to the Korea Exchange, the Kospi was down 6.93 points, or 0.10%, at 6,382.80 as of 9:23 a.m. It opened lower at 6,387.57, then turned higher and climbed to 6,400.11 around 9:01 a.m. before turning choppy again. Overnight, U.S. stocks closed lower as uncertainty grew over a second round of talks between the United States and Iran. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.59%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropped 0.63% and 0.59%, respectively. Major tech shares were mixed, with Microsoft up 1.46% and Amazon up 0.66%, while Nvidia fell 1.08% and Tesla slid 1.55%. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 0.50%. The moves came as skepticism spread over renewed U.S.-Iran negotiations, weakening expectations for an end to the war, the report said. Investor sentiment also appeared to cool after comments by Kevin Warsh, a candidate for chair of the Federal Reserve, were interpreted as hawkish. Warsh said he would maintain the independence of monetary policy regardless of the president’s preference for rate cuts. “After Warsh’s remarks, U.S. stocks turned lower as selling emerged,” said Seo Sang-young, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities. He said uncertainty increased after Warsh signaled a sweeping overhaul of the existing inflation framework and the adoption of new data standards. In Seoul, retail investors were net buyers of 991.9 billion won, while foreigners and institutions sold a net 314.0 billion won and 669.5 billion won, respectively, as they took profits. Among large-cap shares, Samsung Electronics rose 0.46%, LG Energy Solution gained 1.67% and Hanwha Aerospace added 1.87%. SK hynix fell 0.41%, Hyundai Motor dropped 1.10%, SK Square slid 1.81%, Doosan Enerbility lost 0.86%, Samsung Biologics dipped 0.25% and Kia fell 0.63%. By sector, electronics rose 0.17%, chemicals gained 0.52% and metals climbed 1.22%. Decliners included finance, down 1.20%, along with pharmaceuticals, machinery and equipment, IT services, retail, securities and insurance. The Kosdaq also opened lower. It started down 2.20 points, or 0.19%, at 1,176.83 and was trading down 6.20 points, or 0.53%, at 1,172.83. Retail investors were net buyers of 139.8 billion won on the Kosdaq, while foreigners and institutions were net sellers of 18.0 billion won and 60.5 billion won, respectively. Kosdaq heavyweights were mixed. EcoPro rose 0.92%, EcoPro BM gained 0.23% and LigaChem Bio added 1.03%. Alteogen fell 1.36%, Rainbow Robotics slipped 0.67%, Samchundang Pharm plunged 14.93%, Lino Industrial dropped 0.76%, ABL Bio fell 1.60%, Kolon TissueGene lost 2.06% and HLB slid 3.53%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:46:08
  • Hana Securities Cuts CJ Logistics Target Price on Forwarding Weakness, Keeps Buy
    Hana Securities Cuts CJ Logistics Target Price on Forwarding Weakness, Keeps Buy Hana Securities said Tuesday it lowered its target price for CJ Logistics to 165,000 won, citing clearer signs of a downturn in its forwarding business. The brokerage maintained its “buy” rating, saying the company’s mid- to long-term growth outlook remains intact. In a report, Hana Securities analyst Ahn Do-hyeon said the firm had previously projected CJ Logistics’ full-year profit growth at 10% on rising parcel volumes and expansion in its warehousing and distribution (W&D) business, but cut its estimate to 2%. Ahn said the parcel unit is seeing operating leverage from volume growth, but profitability improvement in the global division is likely to be slower than expected. He added that higher oil prices since the war are expected to raise costs in the contract logistics (CL) unit and could also weigh on port cargo volumes. He said the W&D unit acquired logistics assets from major commerce companies such as E-Mart in 2025, but profitability gains are being delayed as the company works to stabilize the centers. Ahn forecast first-quarter revenue of 3.097 trillion won, up 4% from a year earlier, and operating profit of 99.1 billion won, up 16%, for an operating margin of 3.2%. He said parcel volume is expected to rise 14% from a year earlier, far outpacing market growth of 6%, and that CJ Logistics’ parcel market share continues to increase. However, he said that despite W&D growth, overall CL revenue is expected to rise 5% year over year due to weaker port volumes. Global revenue is estimated to fall 6%, he said, adding that while the U.S. and India units are performing well, a postwar contraction in the forwarding business is becoming more visible. Still, Ahn said CJ Logistics’ growth trajectory “remains valid” in broad terms. He said the parcel business is expected to grow by gaining market share on the back of the company’s seven-day delivery service, and that CJ Logistics’ W&D business should improve profitability as outsourcing expands in the domestic W&D market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 08:21:50
  • Korea’s Financial Regulator Plans Major Hiring as KOSPI Sets Record High
    Korea’s Financial Regulator Plans Major Hiring as KOSPI Sets Record High ◆Aju Economy Top Stories ▷At least 70 hires planned this year as a bigger, more powerful FSS expands -According to the financial industry on the 21st, South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service recently completed selection of 40 experienced hires — 30 certified public accountants and 10 lawyers — and is preparing final placements. It is the largest experienced-hire intake since such recruiting was halted after a 2017 hiring scandal and resumed in 2023. -The FSS also plans additional hiring to strengthen its special judicial police function. FSS Gov. Lee Chan-jin said 30 more personnel would be added. Including that, experienced hiring this year is expected to exceed at least 70 people. -The expansion would push the FSS workforce close to a record high. Total headcount stood at 2,392 as of the end of last year, and is expected to rise above 2,500 if new graduate recruitment proceeds. -An FSS official said, “As President Lee Jae-myung has stressed strict punishment of unfair trading, the presidential office frequently contacts front-line departments,” adding, “This staffing increase is an extension of that policy direction.” -Concerns are also growing as authority expands. Critics point to worries about a gap in investigative oversight tied to changes in the prosecution’s command structure, and unresolved issues of overlapping roles with existing bodies such as joint response teams. ◆Key Report ▷KOSPI retakes highs after two months, sets new record -On the 21st, the KOSPI rose 2.7% and the KOSDAQ gained 0.1%. Despite mixed moves in U.S. stocks the previous session, the rally continued and the KOSPI set a new record, topping the prior 6,307 points. The report said markets appear increasingly accustomed to volatility, with attention shifting from geopolitical risks to fundamentals such as earnings. -Exports for April 1-20, released that day, totaled $50.4 billion — up 49.4% from a year earlier — with semiconductor exports up 182.5%, a record that lifted earnings expectations. News flow about U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s departure for a second round of talks and the possibility of participation in Iran talks also supported sentiment, the report said. -Using an unchanged earnings-per-share assumption, the 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio stood at 7.67 times. The report cited deep-value appeal and expectations for further semiconductor profit growth, with gains led by large caps including SK hynix, up 5.0%, and Samsung Electronics, up 2.1%. ◆Major filings after the close (21st) ▷LS ELECTRIC posts 126.6 billion won in Q1 operating profit, up 45% from a year earlier ▷CSA Cosmic: “Additional acquisition of shares in subsidiary Gentro Group for 2.5 billion won” ▷KG Steel: “Acquisition of Daehan Electric Wire shares worth 110 billion won; stake 4.9%” ▷Bukwang Pharmaceutical Q1 operating profit plunges 63%; “impact of expanded outsourced production” ▷KB Financial makes voluntary information-security disclosure; “strengthening financial consumer protection” ◆Fund flows (as of the 20th, excluding ETFs) ▷Domestic equity funds: 53.4 billion won ▷Overseas equity funds: -23.1 billion won ◆Key events today (22nd) ▷South Korea: Producer Price Index (March) ▷United Kingdom: Consumer Price Index (March), Producer Price Index (March) ▷Eurozone: Consumer confidence (April) ▷Bonds: U.S. Treasury auctions for 5-year and 20-year notes* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 07:00:43