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Daishin Securities Raises Lotte Rental's Target Price to 60,000 Won Ahead of TPG Acquisition Daishin Securities has maintained a "buy" rating for Lotte Rental and raised its target price to 60,000 won ahead of the company's acquisition by private equity firm TPG.In a report released on August 20, analyst Park Kang-ho noted that the largest shareholder of Lotte Rental has changed from Hotel Lotte and Busan Lotte Hotel to TPG, which holds a 61.17% stake.Park stated, "The acquisition price of 59,000 won per share is considered a premium price for the new major shareholder. Given the company's revenue and profit growth, the potential for the stock price to exceed the offering price is high." He added that at the 59,000 won price, the price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) for 2027 would be 10.2 times, and the price-to-book ratio (P/B) would be 1, indicating an attractive valuation.Regarding the stock price, he mentioned, "Due to the change in the largest shareholder, Lotte Rental's stock price has risen 72.9% from a low of 27,100 won on June 26 to the closing price on August 19. We believe further increases are possible, prompting us to raise the target price by 13.2% to 60,000 won."Looking ahead, Park highlighted the potential for increased dividends, stating, "Once the acquisition is finalized, we expect dividend expansion in 2027 based on the company's record performance in 2026." He added that the first year post-acquisition could see dividends raised, benefiting both investors and the new major shareholder.Additionally, he noted that TPG, as the second-largest shareholder of Kakao Mobility, is likely to seek synergies in future mobility platforms, including shared economy and autonomous driving solutions. Even considering the return of investment from Kakao Mobility, collaboration opportunities with Lotte Rental are expected to be explored.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:56:20 -
SK Telecom Halts New 3G Subscriptions as Service Shutdown Approaches SK Telecom (SKT) has begun the process to terminate its 3G service. The company announced that it will stop new subscriptions for 3G service starting today. As a result, new sign-ups, number transfers, and device changes (including SIM card changes) for 3G devices and LTE devices that do not support HD Voice will be halted.SKT explained, "The number of 3G subscribers and traffic has been steadily declining, and the 3G devices and equipment are aging. Additionally, the communication environment is shifting towards next-generation networks, prompting the decision to discontinue the service." Previously, on July 23, SKT and KT met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho to propose the termination of 3G services. SKT plans to apply for approval from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the 3G service shutdown and will gradually implement the service termination. The company will support existing 3G customers in transitioning to LTE and 5G.Initially, the service transition support program will target existing 3G customers and LTE customers who do not support HD Voice. This program is available to customers using the specified devices as of midnight today. Customers transitioning to LTE or 5G will retain their existing bundled discounts and long-term customer benefits.Eligible customers can choose from three options: a free replacement of one of three designated LTE or 5G devices and a monthly discount of up to 12,000 won for 24 months; a device purchase subsidy of up to 380,000 won and a monthly discount of up to 12,000 won for 24 months; or a monthly fee discount of up to 70% (up to 700,000 won) for 24 months. Regardless of the program chosen, customers will also receive four additional refill coupons.Customers aged 65 and older who transition from 3G to LTE or 5G will be supported in enrolling in the existing 'New Silver Plan' (9,900 won per month). If they do not change to another plan after enrollment, they can continue using this plan.Customers who choose not to participate in the transition support program and decide to cancel their service or switch to another carrier will receive a cancellation support payment of 40,000 won. Any penalties incurred during the transition, cancellation, or switch to another carrier will also be waived.SKT will inform 3G subscribers about the service termination plan and support programs through text messages (MMS), the T World website and app, and postal and email billing notices. Additional guidance will be provided to customers, particularly seniors, who may face challenges with digital services.Yoon Jae-woong, head of SKT's Product and Brand Division, stated, "We will carefully consider the circumstances of each customer who has used 3G for a long time and support their transition. We will continue to enhance network quality and service competitiveness so that all customers can enjoy more stable and convenient communication services." Meanwhile, global telecom companies are also discontinuing 3G services due to declining subscriber numbers and the need for more efficient frequency utilization. Companies such as Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T in the U.S., as well as NTT Docomo, SoftBank, KDDI in Japan, and O2 in the UK, have either initiated or completed the shutdown of their 3G services. 2026-08-20 08:56:10
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ETF Trading Volume Drops to April Levels Amid Leverage Regulation This month, the average daily trading volume of domestic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has fallen to half of last month's levels. This decline is attributed to stricter regulations on single-stock leverage products that were implemented at the end of July.According to the Korea Exchange, from August 3 to 19, the average daily trading volume of ETFs was recorded at 17.4371 trillion won. This represents a 47.6% decrease compared to last month's average of 33.2909 trillion won.The average daily trading volume of ETFs surged from 16.5359 trillion won in April to 30.4181 trillion won in May. In June, it reached a record high of 38.079 trillion won. However, it dropped to 33.2909 trillion won in July and has now returned to April's levels.The significant fluctuations in trading volume are largely attributed to single-stock leverage products. Sixteen types of these products, including two inverse funds, were launched on May 27. On their first day, trading reached 10.418 trillion won, and by late June, daily trading volume approached 20 trillion won.However, following the tightening of regulations on July 31, trading volume sharply declined. At one point, it fell to around 500 billion won, and it has recently fluctuated around 1 trillion won.Financial authorities increased the minimum deposit for single-stock leverage products from 10 million won to 30 million won as of July 31. Additionally, as of August 19, simulated trading has become mandatory for investments in these products.Trading volume has also decreased. The average daily trading volume of all ETFs rose from 4.818 billion shares in April to 10.495 billion shares in May, and then to 14.315 billion shares in July. This month, it has dropped back to 10.38 billion shares.The larger decline in trading volume compared to trading quantity is believed to be influenced by the price drop of single-stock leverage products.The overall ETF market size has also contracted. This month, the total market capitalization of ETFs is 440.808 trillion won, a 14.1% decrease from June's 512.3112 trillion won. During the same period, the number of ETF products increased from 1,143 to 1,162, an increase of 19.Market analysts view the recent decline in trading volume as a normalization process rather than a general downturn in the ETF market, particularly centered around single-stock leverage products.Labor Gil, a researcher at Shinhan Investment Corp, stated, "After the regulations, trading turnover and new inflows for single-stock leverage products have sharply decreased, and price shocks are also easing. While leverage balances remain, the trading activity that conveyed these to market prices has weakened significantly. The first normalization is occurring in trading rather than in balances."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:56:00
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NH Nonghyup Bank Strengthens Personalized Financial Services Strategy NH Nonghyup Bank is enhancing its strategy for personalized financial services by proactively understanding individual customer situations and financial needs.On August 20, NH Nonghyup Bank announced that it held a discussion at its headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, focused on the direction of its artificial intelligence transformation (AX) initiatives.The meeting included team leaders from relevant departments such as marketing, AX, data, platform, and technology. Participants shared strategies for providing differentiated financial services based on individual customer circumstances and contexts.A key focus of the discussion was on utilizing customer data and AI technology to anticipate financial needs and deliver timely products and services tailored to each customer.The meeting also addressed the implementation of an 'Agentic AI Bank,' where AI actively suggests and executes necessary services for customers. To achieve this, the bank plans to strengthen collaboration among marketing, data, platform, and technology teams while continuously enhancing its data and technological capabilities.Kang Tae-young, President of NH Nonghyup Bank, stated, "Understanding each customer's situation and needs in detail and providing the financial services they require ahead of time will be the core competitiveness of future finance. We must innovate customer experiences and create differentiated financial service competitiveness based on AX and personalization."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:56:00
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Samsung to Unveil New Galaxy Model on 27th, Likely S26 FE Samsung Electronics will unveil a new model in the Galaxy S26 series on the 27th. This addition expands the Galaxy smartphone lineup, which already includes the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra released earlier this year.According to Samsung Electronics, the 'Samsung Galaxy Event' will take place at 9 PM on the 27th, with the new Galaxy S26 model being revealed. The event will be streamed live on Samsung.com and the official Samsung YouTube channel.Samsung describes this product as a new Galaxy offering focused on users who prioritize essential features and experiences. Specific product names and specifications have not been disclosed. Key changes are expected to include enhancements in camera technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and the latest operating system, One UI.Earlier this year, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra during the 'Galaxy Unpacked 2026' event in February. The upcoming event aims to respond to the demand for smartphones in the second half of the year by adding a new model to the existing flagship lineup.Industry analysts are paying close attention to whether Samsung will continue its strategy of segmenting the product line following the flagship releases in the first half of the year, especially with this separate event for the new S26 series model.Details regarding the specifications, pricing, and release schedule of the new product will be revealed during the event. Samsung plans to enhance the user experience within the Galaxy ecosystem, focusing on camera and AI capabilities with this new model. 2026-08-20 08:56:00
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SK Hynix Unveils Next-Gen Optical Interconnect Technology for AI Data Centers SK Hynix has introduced next-generation optical interconnect technology aimed at addressing data bottlenecks between systems in AI data centers, moving beyond high-bandwidth memory (HBM). The focus is on transitioning data transmission between chips, racks, and pods to optical communication in massive AI infrastructures that connect thousands of GPUs and HBM.On August 20, SK Hynix announced that it has published a research paper on Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) technology in the international journal Nature Electronics. The research involved collaboration with teams from the University of Virginia, the University of Illinois, Nanyang Technological University, MIT, and Yonsei University.CPO technology integrates optical transceivers within the same package as processors. Traditional copper-based electrical connections suffer from increased signal loss and power consumption as data transmission distances and speeds increase. CPO minimizes the distance that high-speed electrical signals must travel by placing optical engines close to the processor and connecting the remaining distance with light.The rapid increase in AI computational performance has led to data movement between systems becoming a new bottleneck. The paper highlights that while computational performance triples approximately every two years, interconnect bandwidth only increases by 1.4 times during the same period.Recently, SK Hynix has expanded its business scope beyond HBM to include power, packaging, and connection technologies for AI data centers, responding to competition in system-level AI infrastructure.The research team outlined a development path for CPO technology, extending from 2D packaging to 2.5D interposers and 3D heterogeneous integration. They also identified technical challenges for commercialization. The technical goals for next-generation AI infrastructure include achieving over 100 Tbps of bandwidth per node, energy consumption of less than 1 pJ/bit, and inter-chip latency of under 10 ns.In the long term, the team proposed expanding optical connections to memory. The core concept is an 'optics-centric architecture' that directly connects computational resources and memory resources through optical interposers. This structure would allow multiple accelerators to share a large memory pool, enabling the scaling of AI models.This paper is significant as it defines CPO not just as a single component technology but as a system technology that integrates memory, processors, and optical devices within a package. It also illustrates how SK Hynix is broadening its technological scope from HBM-centric memory competition to encompass the entire AI infrastructure.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:52:00
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Lee Kang-in Scores Debut Goal for Atletico Madrid, Named MVP Lee Kang-in made a stunning debut for Atletico Madrid in La Liga, scoring the winning goal in his first official match.On August 20, in a home match against Malaga at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, Lee came on as a substitute in the second half and netted the decisive goal, leading Atletico to a 2-0 victory to kick off the 2026-2027 season.Having transferred from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, Lee returned to the Spanish league after three years. He started the match on the bench due to administrative issues related to military service that delayed his preseason training.Atletico manager Diego Simeone excluded Lee and other key players, including Alex Baena, Marcos Llorente, and Julian Alvarez, who participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, from the starting lineup.After a scoreless first half, Atletico brought on Llorente at the start of the second half and introduced Lee and Baena in the 57th minute to boost their attack.Wearing the number 7 jersey, Lee quickly made an impact, attempting sharp shots in the 59th and 65th minutes to find his rhythm.The long-awaited goal came in the 70th minute. After receiving a long pass from David Hancko on the right flank, Lee dribbled past three defenders and scored with a precise left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, shaking the net for Malaga.Lee scored just 13 minutes after entering the match, marking his first goal for Atletico Madrid. This also ended a goal drought in La Liga since May 2023, when he scored for Mallorca against Athletic Bilbao.Following Lee's goal, Atletico gained momentum, and Baena added a second goal with a brilliant right-footed free kick in the 85th minute, sealing the victory.Lee played approximately 33 minutes and excelled on both ends of the field. According to soccer statistics site FotMob, he recorded a passing accuracy of 93% (13 successful passes out of 14 attempts) and won 100% of his ground duels (4 out of 4). FotMob rated him 7.9.After a strong debut, Lee was named the match's Most Valuable Player (MVP).In a post-match interview, Lee stated, "I believe the entire team played excellently. I will continue to train hard to improve my game sense and rhythm. I aim to earn as many points as possible for the team's championship. I will prepare for every match in top condition and do my best to win every game."With this opening victory, Atletico Madrid looks forward to their next match against Villarreal at home on August 24.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:48:00
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Prequel to 'Inside Men' Confirmed with Cast of Ha Jung-woo, Ahn Bo-hyun, Park Hae-joon, and Jung Sung-il The prequel to the film 'Inside Men,' titled 'Inside Men: The Birth of Villains' (working title), has confirmed its cast.Production company Hive Media Corp announced that actors Ha Jung-woo, Ahn Bo-hyun, Park Hae-joon, and Jung Sung-il will star in 'Inside Men: The Birth of Villains.'Set in the late 1980s, the film depicts the origins of the 'insiders' within a massive cartel formed by the media, capital, and power. It serves as the official prequel to the highest-grossing film rated for adults, 'Inside Men,' shedding light on how the power cartel came into existence.Ha Jung-woo will portray Lee Kang-hee, a newspaper reporter who dreams of uncovering corporate corruption but is pushed into a lesser role due to external pressures. He becomes involved in the beginnings of the power cartel that shapes South Korea through his relentless investigative skills and sharp insights.Ahn Bo-hyun will play Ahn Sang-goo, a talent agency CEO who rises from humble beginnings in pursuit of success and revenge. This character represents the younger version of Ahn Sang-goo, played by Lee Byung-hun in 'Inside Men.' He is driven by a desire to protect what is precious to him while navigating the ruthless entertainment industry, often collaborating and clashing with Lee Kang-hee, portrayed by Ha Jung-woo.Park Hae-joon has been cast as Jang Pil-woo, a first-term lawmaker who transitions from a career as a prosecutor. He is an ambitious figure seeking to ascend to the core of power through dangerous dealings with major media outlets.Jung Sung-il will take on the role of Oh Hyun-soo, the chairman of the Future Group, who builds his empire through any means necessary. He aims to stand at the pinnacle of the cartel, leveraging vast capital and power.The film will be co-directed by Kim Min-beom and Kim Jin-seok. Kim Min-beom has previously served as an assistant director on projects like 'Seoul's Spring' and 'Flu,' while Kim Jin-seok has worked on films such as 'Harbin,' 'The Man Standing Next,' and 'Veteran,' and is adapting the Disney+ original series 'Made in Korea.'Hive Media Corp is producing the film, known for its works including 'Harbin,' 'Deliver Us from Evil,' 'The Man Standing Next,' 'Inside Men,' 'Seoul's Spring,' and 'Made in Korea.' Co-production will involve SLL, which has produced the 'Crime City' series, Netflix's 'All of Us Are Dead,' and the drama 'The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate.''Inside Men: The Birth of Villains' is currently in pre-production, aiming to begin filming in 2026.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:48:00
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Kakao Mobility Accelerates U.S. IPO Plans, Aiming to Raise $1 Billion Kakao Mobility is advancing its plans for an initial public offering (IPO) in the U.S., aiming to raise approximately $1 billion. The company has reportedly submitted relevant documents to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on a confidential basis.According to IPOX, a U.S. IPO specialist, Kakao Mobility is targeting around $1 billion for its IPO and has filed the necessary paperwork with the SEC confidentially. IPOX has identified Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and UBS as potential underwriters for the listing.IPOX describes Kakao Mobility as a leading domestic mobility platform owned by Kakao, noting that the registered users of Kakao T exceed 30 million. The company operates a variety of mobility services, including taxi hailing, rental cars, and bikes.The confidential submission to the SEC is a standard procedure that allows companies preparing for a U.S. stock market listing to submit documents for review before making them public. Once certain requirements are met, the documents can be converted into a public registration statement, helping companies manage the pressures of market disclosure while preparing for the IPO.This is not Kakao Mobility's first attempt at a U.S. listing. The company previously sought to go public in South Korea but withdrew its plans in 2022.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:48:00
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DB Securities Raises GS Target Price by 25% Amid Strong Refining Performance DB Securities announced on August 20 that it has raised its target price for GS from 120,000 won to 150,000 won, a 25% increase, citing strong performance in the refining and lubricants sectors and expectations for new business investments fueled by substantial cash flow. The investment recommendation remains a 'buy.'Han Seung-jae, a researcher at DB Securities, stated, "As the refining and lubricants market continues to strengthen, GS Caltex's profit capacity is significantly improving. As the AIDC (Artificial Intelligence Data Center) project, which is being pursued based on massive cash flow, becomes more concrete, the potential for growth expectations and corporate value reassessment will increase."In the second quarter, GS reported an operating profit of 1.7 trillion won, far exceeding the market consensus of 1.1 trillion won. The core subsidiary, GS Caltex, achieved record-high operating profit of 2.55 trillion won and net profit of 1.86 trillion won. The refining segment's operating profit reached 2.2 trillion won due to improved refining margins, while the lubricants segment also set a record with an operating profit of 357.7 billion won.Looking ahead to the third quarter, the strong refining market is expected to support performance. Although an inventory valuation loss of about 1 trillion won is anticipated due to falling international oil prices, GS Caltex's operating profit is estimated to be 1.38 trillion won, bolstered by strong refining margins and favorable lubricants market conditions.Han noted, "To resolve the supply shortage in refining, normalization of the Strait of Hormuz, comprehensive export permits from China, and the realization of domestic prices are necessary, but the likelihood of this happening in the short term is low. However, entering the peak season and a rebound in the standard market price (SMP) will also improve performance in the power generation sector."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:44:10