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  • Samsung Securities Raises Daewoo Engineerings Target Price to 21,000 Won
    Samsung Securities Raises Daewoo Engineering's Target Price to 21,000 Won Samsung Securities announced on August 5 that it has raised its target price for Daewoo Engineering from 9,200 won to 21,000 won, an increase of 128.3%. This adjustment comes as the company is expected to recover its profitability quickly after reflecting last year's significant losses and anticipates securing large overseas projects in the second half of the year. The investment recommendation remains a 'buy.'Heo Jae-jun, a researcher at Samsung Securities, stated, "We have adjusted the target price to reflect the improved profitability levels following the Big Bath accounting treatment and unprecedented order momentum. In the second half, we expect solid profit improvements in the construction sector, a recovery in the plant sector's profitability, and significant new orders to occur simultaneously."For the second quarter, Daewoo Engineering reported consolidated sales of 2.0435 trillion won, a 10.1% decrease from the same period last year, while operating profit surged by 182.6% to 232.3 billion won, exceeding market consensus of 160 billion won by 45.2%.The improvement in profitability in the construction sector drove the results. The gross profit margin (GPM) for the construction sector reached 21.6%, the highest quarterly figure since 2015. Although one-time gains of approximately 82.9 billion won from completion settlement profits and contract increases were included, the gross profit margin remained high at 15.6% when excluding these factors. Samsung Securities analyzed that the normalization of cost rates following last year's Big Bath in the fourth quarter is now showing results.In the plant sector, profitability temporarily declined due to rework and extension costs for the Nigeria T7 project. However, the company expects to recover some of these costs through claims after completion and anticipates a return to normal levels starting in the third quarter.Daewoo Engineering has also raised its new order target for the year from 18 trillion won to 27 trillion won, a 50% increase. This adjustment reflects the heightened likelihood of contracts for large projects, including the Czech Dukovany nuclear power plant, Papua New Guinea LNG Central Processing Facility (CPF), Nigeria Indorama fertilizer plant, Mozambique LNG Area 4, and the Gadeokdo new airport.Heo noted, "The total scale of these five projects is estimated at around 18 trillion won, and even if only half is reflected within the year, achieving the order target is feasible. We expect about 20 trillion won in new orders in the second half alone."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 09:08:00
  • DB HiTek Reports Strong Q2 Earnings Driven by Power Semiconductor and AI Demand
    DB HiTek Reports Strong Q2 Earnings Driven by Power Semiconductor and AI Demand DB HiTek has reported strong performance driven by increased demand for power semiconductors and growth in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.The company announced on August 5 that it achieved consolidated revenue of 4.145 trillion won and an operating profit of 1.052 trillion won in the second quarter. These figures represent increases of 23% and 43%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. The operating profit margin stood at 25%.The rise in demand for high-value products, particularly automotive and industrial power semiconductors, along with expanded supply in emerging applications like AI data centers and robotics, significantly improved profitability through a better product mix.DB HiTek stated, "We will accelerate market expansion centered on emerging sectors such as AI data centers and robotics to enhance profitability, while also ensuring that our ongoing capacity expansion efforts proceed without disruption to meet customer demand."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 09:04:10
  • U.S. Moves to Ban Imports of Chinese Solar Modules, Targeting Zhongjixuchuang
    U.S. Moves to Ban Imports of Chinese Solar Modules, Targeting Zhongjixuchuang The United States is reportedly moving to ban imports of Chinese solar modules (CPO).The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the U.S. telecommunications regulatory agency, is preparing to implement a ban on the import of new Chinese optical transceiver modules, according to four sources cited by Reuters. These optical transceiver modules are essential components for high-speed fiber optic data transmission within data centers.U.S. authorities aim to announce and implement the ban by the end of this year. The measure is intended to prevent the possibility of Chinese companies stealing data or implanting malware through related equipment, thereby disrupting data center operations. However, sources indicate that the FCC may modify the regulatory details or postpone implementation during the final review process.In response, the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. urged the United States to listen to the objective and rational voices of the economic sectors of both countries and to cease slandering and threatening sanctions against Chinese companies. The embassy warned that it would take all necessary countermeasures against any actions that seriously harm China's interests.If the import ban is enacted, it would inevitably impact Zhongjixuchuang (中際旭創, InnoLight), the world's largest supplier of solar modules. Zhongjixuchuang was included in the U.S. Department of Defense's list of 'Chinese military-supporting companies' released in June, which has been interpreted in the market as a signal of potential further U.S. regulations. In this scenario, U.S. cloud service companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS) may face increased procurement costs. While U.S. companies Coherent and Lumentum supply CPOs, the reality is that Chinese products offer better cost performance. Additionally, indium phosphide, a key material for solar modules, is predominantly controlled by China in the global supply chain.According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, Zhongjixuchuang holds a 27% share of the global data center optical transceiver market, making it the leading company. Approximately 90% of Zhongjixuchuang's revenue is generated outside of China.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 09:04:00
  • Labor Ministry Sets Minimum Wage at 10,700 Won for 2027, Rejects Objections
    Labor Ministry Sets Minimum Wage at 10,700 Won for 2027, Rejects Objections The minimum wage for next year has been set at 10,700 won per hour. The objections raised by labor and small business representatives were not accepted.The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on August 5 that the minimum wage for 2027 has been determined and officially announced at 10,700 won per hour, an increase of 380 won (3.7%) from this year's minimum wage of 10,320 won.The monthly equivalent, based on a 40-hour work week and 209 hours per month, is 2,236,300 won. This rate will apply uniformly across all businesses without industry differentiation, and no separate minimum wage will be applied to contract workers.Previously, the Minimum Wage Commission voted on the minimum wage for next year during its 14th plenary meeting on July 14. Although labor and management narrowed the gap in their final proposals to 30 won, they could not reach an agreement, and the worker representative's proposal of 10,700 won was adopted through a vote.This year's discussions focused on the application of differentiated minimum wages by industry and the issue of a separate minimum wage for contract workers, particularly delivery riders, but all proposals were rejected. Notably, the issue of applying minimum wage to contract workers was officially raised for the first time. Public interest representatives recommended a comprehensive review of the entire system, including the criteria for determining minimum wage applicability.Following the Minimum Wage Commission's decision, the Labor Ministry operated an objection period from July 16 to 27. During this time, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Businesses (KOSME) each filed objections. The KCTU raised concerns about the failure to apply a separate minimum wage for contract workers, while KOSME pointed out that the ability to pay and industry-specific conditions were not adequately reflected.However, the Labor Ministry did not accept either party's objections, considering the intent of the Minimum Wage Act and the deliberation and decision-making process of the Minimum Wage Commission. Consequently, the minimum wage for next year was confirmed as originally proposed without requesting a re-examination by the commission.The Labor Ministry stated, "We plan to strengthen promotion and guidance to ensure compliance with the minimum wage in the field and to carry out workplace inspections and supervision."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 09:00:20
  • NH Nonghyup Bank Introduces Easy Donations for Hometown Love Donation Program
    NH Nonghyup Bank Introduces Easy Donations for Hometown Love Donation Program NH Nonghyup Bank has launched a service that allows users to easily make donations to the Hometown Love Donation Program through its mobile banking application, NH All One Bank.The bank announced on August 5 that it has introduced the "Hometown Love Donation Program Easy Integration Service." This service links local government websites with the NH All One Bank app, enabling users to make donations and request thank-you gifts without needing to log in or go through authentication procedures.The service will initially be available in Daejeon and Goseong County in Gangwon Province. NH Nonghyup Bank plans to gradually expand the service to additional regions.The Hometown Love Donation Program allows individuals to donate to local governments other than their current residence and receive tax deductions and local specialty gifts in return. Starting this year, tax benefits have been expanded, allowing for a full tax deduction on donations up to 100,000 won. For donations exceeding 100,000 won and up to 200,000 won, a 44% deduction rate applies.A representative from NH Nonghyup Bank stated, "In line with the expanded tax deduction benefits, we have prepared a collaborative service with local governments to make it easier for customers to participate in donations. We will continue to expand the regions where this service is available."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 08:56:10
  • Collaboration Established Between Health Insurance Agency and Busan Medical Center for Home Healthcare
    Collaboration Established Between Health Insurance Agency and Busan Medical Center for Home Healthcare In Busan, a collaborative system is being established to ensure that public hospitals can quickly admit elderly patients who require hospitalization while receiving home healthcare.The National Health Insurance Service's Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Regional Office and Busan Medical Center signed a memorandum of understanding on July 30 to create a 'Home Healthcare Support Cooperation System.'The two organizations will jointly promote initiatives including the establishment and operation of a home healthcare support system, training and capacity building for home healthcare staff, community connections for patient admissions and discharges, case meetings, information sharing, and collaborative projects to enhance community integrated care.The home healthcare center will consist of a team of doctors, nurses, and social workers who provide home visits and nursing care to elderly individuals with mobility challenges. While they assist with routine health management, rapid connections to medical facilities are essential when acute illnesses or fractures occur, making continued home treatment difficult.Under this agreement, if a home healthcare center physician determines that hospitalization is necessary, the medical staff at Busan Medical Center will assist with patient care and admission procedures. After treatment, patients will be transitioned back to home healthcare and community care.Importantly, all designated home healthcare centers in the Busan area will be able to utilize the support system without needing separate contracts or participation applications.Nursing Practical Training in September; Expansion to Ulsan and Gyeongnam Under ConsiderationTraining for field staff will also be conducted. Busan Medical Center plans to hold its first practical training session for nurses at home healthcare centers in September, with plans to expand training to social workers and others based on demand.A representative from the Health Insurance Service stated, "While the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Service provide non-face-to-face educational materials, training is necessary to enhance the services and skills required in actual home healthcare settings," explaining the rationale behind the initiative.This project is not a nationwide initiative from the Health Insurance Service headquarters but rather a collaborative model first planned at the regional level by the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Regional Office. The Service is also considering expanding the collaboration to public medical institutions and clinics in Ulsan and Gyeongnam once the operational system in Busan is established.The effectiveness of reducing emergency room visits and hospitalizations through home healthcare has already been demonstrated by data.According to materials from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (May 2025) presented by the Health Insurance Service, the annual number of emergency room visits for home healthcare users decreased from 0.6 to 0.4, and the average annual hospitalization days dropped from 6.6 to 3.6. In contrast, non-users saw an increase in hospitalization days from 6.3 to 8.5. This indicates that home visits and nursing serve as a barrier against emergencies and unnecessary hospitalizations.Dedicated Personnel and Specific Implementation Framework Remain ChallengesWhile this marks a significant first step toward community integrated care, establishing a concrete implementation framework remains a challenge.Currently, there are no dedicated personnel assigned for this project. The Health Insurance Service's long-term care department and Busan Medical Center's public healthcare cooperation team will carry out the project alongside their existing duties.No quantitative project goals, such as the number of individuals supported or annual hospital admissions, have been set. In response, the Health Insurance Service stated, "The original purpose of the system is to assist individuals in maintaining home living as much as possible without hospitalization, rather than merely filling quotas for admissions."The publicly available agreement only outlines basic directions, such as admission procedures. The effectiveness of the project will depend on how well the operational processes, including contact systems between institutions, case management methods, and regular training schedules, are refined in practice.Director Jo Jun-hee stated, "This agreement is the first step toward establishing a regional cooperative healthcare and care system between public healthcare and health insurance. We will continue to build a close cooperation system with local medical institutions, including Busan Medical Center, to support elderly individuals in living safely and healthily in their communities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 08:56:00
  • Celltrions Chairman Seo Jung-jin to Inspect Global Direct Sales Network
    Celltrion's Chairman Seo Jung-jin to Inspect Global Direct Sales Network Celltrion Group Chairman Seo Jung-jin will visit key overseas operations in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Japan throughout August to enhance sales in the second half of the year.According to Celltrion Group, Seo will depart for Paris, France, on August 10, where he will sequentially visit various locations across Europe to directly assess regional sales strategies and supply plans, including the expansion of pharmacy direct sales networks. He will then check on the overall sales and revenue plans at major overseas subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada, and Japan.This itinerary is not merely a tour of overseas subsidiaries; it focuses on evaluating the global sales execution capabilities necessary to sustain growth in the second half of the year. Seo plans to review market conditions by region, sales status by product, bidding and supply schedules, and plans for expanding into new countries, while also providing immediate decision-making support for challenges raised on-site.In particular, he will closely examine the sales synergies and strategies with strengthened local subsidiaries following the acquisitions of French healthcare company Gifrer and Swiss pharmaceutical distributor iQone. Celltrion is enhancing its supply competitiveness by expanding its direct sales network to pharmacies in addition to its existing hospital and procurement market focus in Europe. The strategy aims to strengthen market responsiveness by targeting both key distribution channels: hospitals and pharmacies.Seo intends to listen to local concerns directly and resolve them swiftly to solidify the foundation for revenue growth in the second half of the year.In the first half of this year, Celltrion reported consolidated revenues of 2.5387 trillion won and an operating profit of 773.7 billion won, marking increases of 40.8% and 97.4%, respectively, compared to the same period last year, achieving the highest half-year performance to date. The growth was driven by stable sales of existing products, the rise of high-margin follow-up products, and the advancement of the global direct sales system.Notably, new high-margin products like Remsima SC (ingredient: infliximab) accounted for about 65% of total revenue, driving the growth. Celltrion plans to continue this growth trend in the second half by reviewing sales strategies for follow-up products by region, expanding market share, and assessing plans for entering new countries.In the second half, significant bidding volumes from major European countries are expected to be reflected, along with increased demand for pharmaceutical inventory replenishment by year-end. Celltrion aims to finely adjust country-specific sales strategies based on seasonal demand and competitive environments while managing supply and sales execution to carry forward the growth momentum from the first half.A Celltrion official stated, "Chairman Seo's direct engagement in enhancing second-half sales while traveling through global sites in Europe, the U.S., and Canada is significant. We will encourage local employees amid the heat and swiftly advance country-specific tasks such as expanding pharmacy direct sales networks to maintain robust growth."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 08:56:00
  • Shinhan Securities Lowers Target Price for Samsung Securities Despite Strong Q2 Performance
    Shinhan Securities Lowers Target Price for Samsung Securities Despite Strong Q2 Performance Shinhan Investment Corp. announced on August 5 that it has lowered its target price for Samsung Securities from 160,000 won to 130,000 won, reflecting a normalization of trading volumes in the second half of the year despite strong performance in the second quarter. However, the firm maintained a 'buy' rating, citing positive evaluations of Samsung Securities' capital utilization roadmap and the potential for increased shareholder returns following its separate equity capital surpassing 8 trillion won, which meets the requirements for comprehensive investment accounts (IMA).Lim Hee-yeon, a researcher at Shinhan Investment Corp., stated, "It is important to focus on the progress of the capital utilization roadmap rather than the absolute level of quarterly profits," adding that the company has proposed a virtuous cycle structure for enhancing profitability and expanding shareholder returns through capital increases.He noted that Samsung Securities' net profit attributable to shareholders for the second quarter reached 488.2 billion won, a 108.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Although this figure slightly fell short of the firm's estimates and market consensus, it met expectations when excluding the impact of educational taxes.Additionally, Lim reported that brokerage fees surged by 160.2% year-on-year, with trust fees amounting to 323.7 billion won for domestic stocks and 116.1 billion won for overseas stocks. Retail customer assets increased to 652.4 trillion won.He also highlighted that wealth management (WM) fees rose by 200.4%, with net fees from wrap accounts growing significantly to 49.5 billion won. Retail financial product deposits expanded to 101.5 trillion won, while retirement pensions reached 28.1 trillion won.Lim further analyzed that the average balance of credit loans increased to 56 trillion won, and the financial margin remained robust due to the expansion of customer deposits. He emphasized that a conservative risk management approach has secured profit stability.Looking ahead, he projected that the expected return on equity (ROE) for 2026 will be 19.4%, with a price-to-book ratio (PBR) of 1.0. If the company maintains its status as a high-dividend enterprise meeting government requirements for dividend separation taxation, the expected year-end dividend per share (DPS) is forecasted to be 6,500 won, resulting in a dividend yield of 6.6% and a payout ratio of 35.5%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 08:56:00
  • Hyundai Launches 8th Generation Elantra with New Features
    Hyundai Launches 8th Generation Elantra with New Features Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled the 8th generation Elantra, a complete redesign of its popular compact sedan after six years. The new model features a larger body comparable to mid-size sedans and incorporates next-generation infotainment and advanced safety features as part of its strategy to capture the sedan market.Hyundai announced that pre-orders for the 'All-New Elantra' have begun. The 8th generation model, revealed at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show in June, showcases Hyundai's new design language, 'Art of Steel,' characterized by sleek proportions and a three-dimensional body design.With a length of 4,765 mm and a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, the new Elantra offers interior space comparable to that of past mid-size sedans. The trunk capacity has also been increased to a maximum of 479 liters (VDA standard).The powertrain options include a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a 1.6-liter hybrid. The gasoline model delivers a maximum output of 149 horsepower and a torque of 18.3 kgf·m, achieving a combined fuel efficiency of up to 14.3 km/l. The hybrid version boasts a system output of 157 horsepower, improving both acceleration and fuel efficiency.All trims come equipped with the next-generation infotainment system, Pleos Connect, which supports an app market and over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Starting from the base trim, the Elantra includes 10 airbags, lane-keeping assist, smart cruise control, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance as part of its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).Hyundai has also introduced an electronic shift lever (SBW) with an emergency braking function for the P position and Navigation Smart Cruise Control 2, which automatically slows down and resumes the set speed in specific areas such as speed bumps and intersections.The pricing for the gasoline 2.0 model starts at 23.98 million won for the Modern trim, 27.71 million won for the Premium trim, and 31.52 million won for the Inspiration trim. The 1.6-liter hybrid model is priced at 30.42 million won for the Modern trim, 33.61 million won for the Premium trim, and 36.99 million won for the Inspiration trim (before tax benefits).Hyundai plans to begin customer deliveries of the gasoline models in the third quarter, while the hybrid models will be released after the completion of eco-friendly vehicle certification and the announcement of tax-included pricing.Yoon Hyo-jun, head of Hyundai's domestic business division, stated, "The new Elantra sets a new standard for entry-level sedans with its overwhelming design presence, spaciousness that transcends its class, upgraded powertrains, wireless software updates, and Pleos Connect. We aimed to provide a continuously evolving mobility experience even after the vehicle is purchased."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 08:52:00
  • Cortis Launches North American Tour as Greengreen Continues Billboard Success
    Cortis Launches North American Tour as 'Greengreen' Continues Billboard Success Group Cortis has kicked off its North American tour.Cortis began the '2026 Cortis Tour Put Your Phone Down in North America' on August 4 in Toronto, Canada.This performance expands Cortis's first tour, which started in Incheon last month, to North America. The group will meet local fans in several U.S. cities, including New York, Atlanta, Irving, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, until August 16.The excitement for the tour is high. All 14 performances across nine cities, including North America, South Korea, and Japan, have sold out. The tour follows a successful appearance at the Lollapalooza Chicago music festival on August 1, where Cortis led a sing-along for approximately 50,000 attendees.As the North American tour begins, Cortis is also achieving success on local charts. According to the latest Billboard chart released on August 4, Cortis's mini-album 'Greengreen' has reached No. 114 on the main album chart, the Billboard 200.'Greengreen' debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart on May 23 and has remained on the chart for 12 consecutive weeks. Cortis is setting a record for the longest chart run among K-pop boy groups that debuted in the last five years.The album is also performing well on detailed charts, ranking No. 2 on the 'World Albums' chart and No. 8 on the 'Top Album Sales' chart.The title track 'Redred' continues to gain traction on global charts, reaching No. 109 on the Billboard 'Global 200' and No. 63 on the 'Global (excluding U.S.)' chart, marking its 14th week on the charts. Cortis also ranked No. 60 on the latest 'Artist 100' chart.On Spotify, 'Redred' has maintained its popularity, entering the 'Daily Top Songs Global' chart for 100 consecutive days as of July 30. It achieved its 90th No. 1 on the 'Daily Top Songs Korea' chart as of August 2.Meanwhile, to celebrate their first anniversary, Cortis will hold a '2026 Cortis Tour Put Your Phone Down Birthday Party' at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul on August 22-23. The tour will continue in Japan at the Kanagawa Pia Arena MM from September 4-6.Cortis is also set to perform at the 'Rock in Japan Festival 2026' in Chiba on September 20 and the 'Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix' on October 9.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 08:48:00