LS Electric Showcases UL-Certified DC Power Gear at IEEE PES T&D 2026, Targets North America LS Electric said it is accelerating its push into North America with next-generation solutions spanning direct current (DC) distribution, extra-high-voltage transmission and data center power infrastructure. The company said Tuesday it is taking part in IEEE PES T&D 2026, North America’s largest power and energy exhibition, being held for three days from May 5 to 7 (local time) at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, where it will present power solutions tailored to the North American market. LS Electric is exhibiting with a 30-booth display covering 278.7 square meters. The booth is organized into three zones: DC solutions, extra-high-voltage transmission and substation solutions, and hyperscale data center solutions, highlighting products aimed at shifts in the global power industry. The company is emphasizing DC capabilities, a key technology for the next power market. It is showcasing a broad lineup of UL-certified DC distribution solutions, including DC switchboards, which it said are essential for entering the North American market. LS Electric said it has moved early to secure the ability to supply UL-certified DC power equipment and aims to take an early lead as the North American DC market expands. The company said its North American performance has been rising sharply. First-quarter North American sales reached about 300 billion won, up about 80% from a year earlier and a quarterly record. It attributed the growth to increased AI data center investment by big tech companies and rising demand for DC solutions that reduce power losses. LS Electric said it has built and operates a “DC Factory” at its Cheonan site, commercializing DC distribution and accumulating field experience and technical know-how. In extra-high-voltage transmission, the company is unveiling a full lineup of core equipment, including 345-kilovolt-class transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear and STATCOM reactive power compensation systems. It plans to highlight total-solution capabilities across transmission and distribution infrastructure, from power plants to substations and end users such as industrial plants, large buildings and data centers. With replacement of aging power grids and new infrastructure investment expanding in North America alongside AI industry growth, LS Electric said it aims to seize opportunities by promoting a broad portfolio spanning extra-high voltage through distribution. For data centers, the company is presenting high-reliability distribution systems and high-efficiency power equipment designed for hyperscale facilities. It said investment in North American data centers is surging as AI spreads, driving demand for high-end power solutions that deliver both stable supply and energy efficiency. LS Electric said it plans to build customer confidence based on local project experience and supply track records, and to further strengthen its position as a key player in the North American data center power market. “Global customers will once again be able to confirm LS Electric’s core solution capabilities that will lead the next-generation power market,” a company official said. “With differentiated competitiveness from extra-high voltage to data centers and DC solutions, we will accelerate our North American push and strengthen market leadership as a game changer in the DC era.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 08:48:21

Korean Civil Servant Claims 430 Million Won Profit From Semiconductor Stock Bet A post by a retail investor claiming hundreds of millions of won in profits from a concentrated bet on semiconductor stocks has drawn attention online. A recent post on Blind, an anonymous workplace community, was titled “Latest update on the civil servant who went all-in with 500 million won on Hynix.” The poster, identifying as the person in question, wrote, “Yes, that’s me,” and said he kept investing in semiconductor shares despite being mocked with warnings that “you’ll go broke investing like that.” He said he made about 430 million won from January through April and posted a screenshot as proof. The image shows cumulative realized profit and loss of about 439.37 million won from January to April 2026, for a return of about 6.72%. It also lists total purchases of about 6.5364 billion won and total sales of about 6.97578 billion won, with about 168.47 million won in profit in April alone. The investor cited SK hynix and Samsung Electronics as key holdings, indicating a heavy focus on the semiconductor sector. He also wrote, “Semiconductors will keep trending upward through 2028,” signaling strong conviction about the market outlook. Online commenters responded with remarks such as, “He proved it with results,” “Hynix surged on the first trading day of May, so it probably pumped even more from there,” and “I didn’t think it would turn out like that back then.” Others wrote, “Semiconductors will save Korea,” “foresight,” and “Should I sell Samsung Electronics and move to Hynix?” As more retail investors share posts touting high returns, interest is rising again in “concentrated investment” strategies focused on specific sectors. 2026-05-06 08:45:15

LS Securities Raises KEPCO Engineering Target 12% on Expected Profit Rebound LS Securities on Wednesday raised its target price for KEPCO Engineering & Construction to 230,000 won from 190,000 won, saying the company’s operating performance is expected to rebound sharply this year after what it called a transitional slump last year. It maintained a “buy” rating. Analyst Seong Jong-hwa said first-quarter operating profit is forecast at 10.1 billion won and revenue at 120.1 billion won, up 751% and 25%, respectively, from a year earlier. Revenue is expected to match the market consensus, while operating profit is projected to beat it by a wide margin, he said. For the full year, LS Securities forecast operating profit of 66.3 billion won and revenue of 622.3 billion won, up 87% and 20% from a year earlier. Seong said the estimates reflect a recovery in progress rates for major design projects, pre-design revenue for Dukovany units 5 and 6, and orders for renewable-energy EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) projects. Seong said this year’s results are expected to normalize on a dramatic rebound from last year’s weakness, but added that the stock’s cycle is difficult to explain based solely on fundamental value tied to near- and midterm earnings trends. He said the company’s valuation also requires pricing in the long-term direction of nuclear power expansion at home and abroad, but that estimating value based on complex assumptions and probabilities — including schedules, order prospects and deal sizes for major nuclear equipment projects — is itself uncertain. Citing a favorable nuclear market environment, strong long-term growth potential and the company’s position as a nuclear design firm and a representative nuclear EPC stock, Seong said the shares could be dull in periods without nuclear-related events or issues. Still, he said, it remains a representative long-term nuclear investment tied to the sector’s long-term growth trajectory at home and abroad.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 08:40:15

President Lee Jae-myung says ‘real estate never loses’ myth is over President Lee Jae-myung said on Tuesday that the notion that real estate prices never fall is no longer valid. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Lee shared a report saying roughly half of real estate experts and licensed brokers expect home prices to decline, adding, “Real estate never loses? That myth is gone now.” The report, citing the KB Financial Group Management Research Institute’s “KB Real Estate Report,” said expectations for price increases dropped sharply compared with a survey in January, while forecasts for declines rose. Lee wrote that “everything in South Korea is returning to normal,” citing the removal of illegal facilities in valleys and what he called a recovery in the stock market. He said normalizing the housing market is “an unavoidable trend of the times” and “a core national task that must be carried out.” Lee also shared media coverage alleging that poor progress in restoring areas damaged by wildfires was linked to unqualified firms, including paper companies, joining bids and authorities allowing what the report described as a “wildfire cartel.” Lee wrote, “Thank you for the report.” He said he instructed the Cabinet to determine how such structural corruption and wrongdoing were left in place for a long period and to review fundamental countermeasures and accountability steps. Separately, Lee on Monday pushed back against calls for fiscal tightening, sharing an analysis of International Monetary Fund data showing South Korea’s net debt ratio is far below the average for the Group of 20. Sharing an article titled, “IMF: South Korea’s net debt ratio this year 10.3% … 79.3 percentage points below G20 average,” Lee posted a message titled, “To the strange people who sing the austerity song at every turn.” Lee also cited an analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which said that if funds raised through government bonds are invested in ways that lift growth and expand social productivity, potential growth and the future revenue base, the debt ratio can instead stabilize. According to the institute’s review of the IMF Fiscal Monitor, South Korea’s general government net debt ratio is projected at 10.3% this year. That is 79.3 percentage points below the projected G20 average of 89.6%, and also well below the overall average of 80.1%. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 08:36:14

Rapper Noel Shares Childhood Photo With Late Father Jang Je-won on Children’s Day Rapper Noel (26), whose real name is Jang Yong-jun, marked Children’s Day by recalling his childhood with his father, the late Jang Je-won, a lawmaker. On May 5, Noel posted a photo to his social media account without a caption. In the image, Jang is seen holding a young Noel in his arms, smiling broadly. Noel is also smiling playfully, creating a warm scene. Born in 2000, Noel became known through Mnet audition programs “High School Rapper” and “Show Me the Money 6.” In 2019, he received a sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for two years, over a drunk-driving crash. He also drew controversy after indications emerged that he called an acquaintance after the crash and tried to switch drivers. In 2021, Noel was sentenced to one year in prison on charges including unlicensed drunk driving and assaulting a police officer. He served the term and was released in October the following year. Jang, who was serving as a vice president at a university in Busan, was accused in November 2015 of sexually assaulting his secretary (quasi-rape causing injury). While under police investigation, he was found dead on March 31 last year at an officetel in Seoul’s Gangdong district.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 08:33:57

Iran Enforces New Strait of Hormuz Transit Rules Requiring Advance Clearance Iran has put a new system in place to manage ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, state-run Press TV reported. Reuters also cited the report, saying Iran has introduced a new mechanism to control vessel traffic through the waterway. Press TV said Iran on May 5 (local time) officially began operating the new maritime traffic management system for the strait. Under the system, ships seeking to pass through must receive guidance on transit rules and procedures, adjust their sailing plans accordingly, and obtain advance clearance, the broadcaster said. It added that the system is now in operation. Reuters, citing Press TV, reported the same day that Iran has set up the new framework to manage ship movements in the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters said Iran warned the U.S. Navy to refrain from approaching the strait and said commercial vessels must transit in coordination with Iran’s military. It also reported that Iran presented a new map of the strait showing an expanded area of Iranian-controlled waters. The move had been signaled earlier inside Iran. Press TV reported that on May 3, Ali Nikzad, deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, said a new law setting conditions for passage through the Strait of Hormuz would go through parliamentary approval. Nikzad was quoted as saying, “Israeli ships will not be allowed to pass under any circumstances, and permits will not be issued to hostile countries such as the United States.” He said other vessels would also have to meet passage conditions under the law to be approved by parliament.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 08:27:14

Shinhan Investment Cuts Yuhan Target Price on Slower-Than-Expected Lazertinib Uptake Shinhan Investment Corp. on Tuesday kept its “buy” rating on Yuhan Corp. but cut its target price 29.4% to 120,000 won, citing slower-than-expected growth in prescriptions for lazertinib. Analyst Lee Ho-cheol said lazertinib royalty income has fallen short of expectations, weighing on the stock’s recent performance, but added that a turnaround remains possible depending on key clinical results in the second half of the year. Yuhan reported consolidated first-quarter 2026 revenue of 526.8 billion won, up 7.2% from a year earlier. Operating profit rose 37.3% to 8.8 billion won, with an operating margin of 1.7%. The results, however, missed market consensus, Lee said. He cited several factors: the company did not recognize a $30 million milestone tied to a European launch of lazertinib; royalties of 5.3 billion won came in below expectations; and a higher share of overseas active pharmaceutical ingredient, or API, sales with higher cost ratios weighed on profitability. Lee said the longer-term outlook remains intact. He expects Yuhan to receive the European milestone in the first half of the year, and said a foundation for broader prescribing is forming after lazertinib was listed as a preferred first-line regimen in NCCN guidelines and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a subcutaneous formulation of the combination drug Rybrevant. He also said the overseas API business is expected to grow on capacity expansion and improved bargaining power. Expansion of the HC building is underway, with operations targeted for the first half of 2028, and potential benefits from a U.S. biosecurity law have also been discussed. Lee said the key variable for a rebound in the share price will be clinical results in the second half. He said that if the MARIPOSA Phase 3 trial shows the lazertinib-Rybrevant combination is superior to Tagrisso in median overall survival, or mOS, and safety, prescriptions could expand and the stock could see a valuation re-rating. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 08:19:18

KakaoBank posts record Q1 net profit of 187.3 billion won on stronger noninterest income KakaoBank said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday that it posted a record first-quarter net profit of 187.3 billion won ($187.3 billion won), up 36.3% from a year earlier. Operating revenue rose 4.4% to 819.3 billion won. The results were driven by growth in noninterest income. Noninterest income increased 7.5% from a year earlier to 302.9 billion won, topping 300 billion won for the first time and accounting for 37% of operating revenue. Fee and platform income rose 4.1% to 80.8 billion won. Interest income climbed 2.7% to 515.6 billion won. Net interest margin was 2.00%, down 0.09 percentage point from a year earlier. Loans outstanding totaled 47.699 trillion won. Loans to mid- and low-credit borrowers accounted for 32.3% of the total, down about 0.5 percentage point from a year earlier but above the regulator’s 30% target. Loans to individual business owners stood at 3.403 trillion won, up 348 billion won from the previous quarter. Asset quality remained stable. The delinquency rate rose 0.01 percentage point from a year earlier to 0.51%. The ratio of substandard or below loans was 0.53%, and the credit loss ratio was 0.55%, both unchanged from the previous quarter. Deposits totaled 69.356 trillion won, increasing by more than 1 trillion won over three months. Regular savings deposits fell amid a strong domestic stock market, but demand deposits and time deposits grew. Balances in group accounts rose by about 1 trillion won, supporting growth in demand deposits. KakaoBank’s customer base also expanded. Total customers reached 27.27 million at the end of the first quarter, up 570,000 over three months. Monthly active users hit a record 20.32 million. The bank said nonoperating gains included a 93.3 billion won valuation gain tied to its investment in Indonesia’s digital bank Superbank, supporting the rise in net profit. A KakaoBank official said the bank achieved balanced growth by focusing on loan expansion centered on individual business and policy loans, while diversifying through fee and platform businesses and treasury operations. The official said the bank will strengthen a sustainable growth structure based on its platform and global businesses.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 08:18:20

Wall Street Rallies as Oil Slides Nearly 4%; S&P 500, Nasdaq Close at Records U.S. stocks rose across the board on Tuesday as crude oil fell nearly 4%, easing inflation worries and lifting risk appetite. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite both finished at record highs, supported by strength in chipmakers and expectations for solid corporate earnings. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 356.35 points, or 0.73%, to close at 49,298.25. The S&P 500 added 58.47 points, or 0.81%, to 7,259.22, and the Nasdaq rose 258.32 points, or 1.03%, to 25,326.13. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq set all-time highs at the close. Markets took comfort from signs of easing tensions in the Middle East. With a view spreading that a ceasefire between the United States and Iran was holding, oil prices cooled after surging a day earlier. Brent crude fell 4% to $109.87 a barrel, a move that helped temper inflation concerns and supported equities. Semiconductor shares led the advance. Intel jumped 13% after reports that Apple is considering using Intel and Samsung Electronics for semiconductor production in the United States. AMD rose 4% ahead of its earnings report. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index climbed 4.2% to a record, bringing its gain for the year to 55%. Earnings expectations also underpinned the market. Reuters reported that first-quarter profits for S&P 500 companies are expected to rise 28% from a year earlier. All 11 sectors ended higher, with materials and information technology posting the biggest gains. Treasury yields fell, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield slipping to around 4.42%. With oil stabilizing and earnings optimism building, investors focused more on corporate profits and demand for risk assets than on inflation shocks.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 08:15:14

Hana Securities Raises Hyundai Corporation Target Price on Energy Parts Rebound Hana Securities said Tuesday it raised its target price for Hyundai Corporation by 15.2% to 38,000 won, citing a rebound in the company’s energy commercial parts business, which previously drove earnings growth. It maintained a “buy” rating. In a report, analyst Yoo Jae-seon said Hyundai Corporation’s first-quarter results beat market consensus and that previously weak segments such as steel are showing a better trend than in 2025 as market conditions improve. Yoo said profit growth is expected to moderate from the second quarter after factoring in a temporary earnings boost in petrochemicals, but added that the company is still likely to post higher profit for the full year. He estimated the stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.5 based on this year’s forecast and a price-to-book ratio of 0.5. First-quarter revenue rose 11.6% from a year earlier to 2.1 trillion won. Yoo attributed the increase to favorable exchange rates and broad-based growth across business lines. He said steel revenue likely fell from a year earlier due to global trade restrictions such as U.S. tariffs, but he viewed last year as the bottom and said the business is gradually recovering. He added that passenger-vehicle operations are growing as weaker demand in the Commonwealth of Independent States was offset by sales in Central and South America and the Middle East. Yoo said energy commercial parts are benefiting from solid demand for power equipment, with distribution transformer performance continuing to rise. He added that a temporary sales gap caused by tariffs in the previous quarter has eased, allowing the business to return to a growth trend. He said geopolitical issues, including conflict in the Middle East, have increased global uncertainty, but Hyundai Corporation’s major businesses are continuing stable growth. He added that the company plans to keep pursuing new businesses this year and that stronger shareholder returns could be expected over the medium to long term.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 08:12:50