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Market Preview: U.S. Semiconductor Stocks Remain Weak as Focus Shifts to SK Hynix Earnings U.S. semiconductor stocks have plummeted, raising questions about whether the KOSPI, which fell over 10% the previous day, can rebound. Market participants are closely watching SK Hynix's second-quarter earnings and the outlook presented during its conference call as key indicators for potential bargain buying.On July 28, the Nasdaq Composite Index, which is heavily weighted with technology stocks, closed down 0.22% on the New York Stock Exchange. Semiconductor stocks continued to struggle, with Micron down 8.85%, AMD down 8.15%, Intel down 5.86%, Qualcomm down 4.21%, and Western Digital down 6.91%. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell 4.49%, marking its fourth consecutive day of decline.Following the sharp drop in the domestic market, analysts suggest that the KOSPI may have entered an oversold territory, leading to speculation about a potential rebound driven by bargain hunters. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed at 6023.66, down 732.09 points (10.84%) from the previous trading day.However, given the ongoing weakness in U.S. semiconductor stocks, it may be challenging for investor sentiment toward the domestic semiconductor sector to recover quickly. As of 8:37 a.m., shares of Samsung Electronics were down 1.8%, while SK Hynix fell 2.7% in pre-market trading on Next Trade.The market is particularly focused on SK Hynix's second-quarter earnings report released today. The company announced revenues of 79.3187 trillion won and an operating profit of 60.5426 trillion won for the second quarter, both record highs for a single quarter, representing increases of 256.8% and 557.2%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.Despite these record results, they fell short of market expectations. According to financial information provider FnGuide, the consensus forecast was for revenues of 83.9194 trillion won and operating profits of 64.6941 trillion won, with actual results slightly below these figures.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, noted, "Given the recent adjustments, there has been a downward revision in performance expectations. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the supply outlook for DRAM and NAND during the conference call, as well as the specifics of long-term supply agreements (LTA)."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 08:51:00 -
Song Young-gil Criticizes Jo Jung-sik's Remarks on Lee Jae-myung's Re-election Song Young-gil, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party, criticized National Assembly Speaker Jo Jung-sik's statement that 'the re-election of President Lee Jae-myung depends on the choice of the sovereign,' calling it 'inappropriate' and suggesting that it would be difficult to gain agreement within the ruling party.In an appearance on MBC's News Today on July 29, Song stated, 'Jo's remarks are misleading.' He added, 'President Lee has clearly stated that the current president is not subject to constitutional amendments under Article 128, Section 2 of the Constitution.'He emphasized, 'We need to complete constitutional amendments, including the inclusion of the May 18 incident, strengthening the conditions for declaring a state of emergency, and relocating the Board of Audit and Inspection to the National Assembly, during President Lee's term. If the issue of presidential re-election is tied to this, how can we expect the opposition to agree?'Earlier, Jo clarified his comments on Facebook after facing backlash from a press briefing the previous day, stating, 'For constitutional amendments, including restructuring power, there must be agreement among political actors and the choice of the people. I regret that my intentions were misunderstood and led to controversy.'He also expressed his commitment to working towards constitutional amendments that are agreeable to both ruling and opposition parties and supported by the public, aiming to open a new future for South Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 08:48:00
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Kim Jong Un Celebrates Victory Day with War Veterans Kim Jong Un met with war veterans and distinguished contributors to the Korean War on July 28 during a ceremony marking the 73rd anniversary of the armistice agreement. According to the Korean Central News Agency on July 29, Kim stated, "It is a great joy for our party, state, and people that the victorious generation, which has engraved the heroic status and reputation of our homeland in history, stands before us today as the embodiment and witness of miraculous victory." He expressed his wishes for the war veterans and contributors to continue to be invaluable pillars of strength and spirit, saying, "I wish for our precious war veterans and contributors to continue to thrive, as no one can replace their infinite strength and spirit." North Korea claims victory over the United States in the Korean War and commemorates the armistice agreement every year as 'Victory Day.' Kim celebrated the occasion with a large-scale event, including visits to national cemeteries and participation in military parades and commemorative performances. His daughter, Ju-ae, also attended the Victory Day events for the first time. The invited war veterans and contributors gathered in Pyongyang on July 25 to participate in various events. The previous day, a commemorative performance celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the victory in the Korean War was held in Pyongyang, which Kim and his daughter attended. The Rodong Sinmun reported that the performance featured songs that amplified the resolve of the succeeding generation to further elevate the great victory of Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 08:45:00
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SK Hynix Achieves 76% Operating Profit Margin in Q2, Surpassing TSMC SK Hynix has set a new record for quarterly performance, driven by a surge in demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and rising prices for high-performance memory. The company's cumulative sales for the first half of the year surpassed 100 trillion won for the first time, with an impressive operating profit margin of 76%.On July 29, SK Hynix reported that its operating profit for the second quarter reached 60.54 trillion won, a 557% increase compared to the same period last year. Sales rose to 79.32 trillion won, marking a 257% increase year-on-year.These figures significantly exceeded the first quarter's sales of 52.58 trillion won and operating profit of 37.61 trillion won.In addition to high sales, profitability has also improved dramatically. SK Hynix's operating profit margin of 76% far exceeds the 60% range reported by TSMC, the world's leading semiconductor foundry. This achievement highlights SK Hynix's ability to create an overwhelming profit structure within the global semiconductor supply chain, even surpassing TSMC, a key player in the AI semiconductor ecosystem.The second quarter's earnings surprise was driven by increased investments in AI infrastructure by major global tech companies. As AI evolves from simple learning to fully functional 'agents,' the demand for high-value products such as DRAM for AI servers, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and enterprise SSDs (eSSD) has surged.SK Hynix stated, "Both DRAM and NAND flash recorded significant price increases compared to the previous quarter, maximizing profitability."Strong partnerships with global tech giants have also been a crucial support for the company's robust performance. SK Hynix has completed long-term supply contract negotiations with over ten companies, including key customers, to ensure supply stability. The company plans to continue negotiations with additional major clients to secure long-term business stability.In terms of technological leadership, SK Hynix is accelerating its entry into the next-generation AI memory market. The company began mass production of its sixth-generation HBM (HBM4) in the second quarter and plans to significantly increase production in the second half of the year. The seventh-generation HBM (HBM4E), for which sample supply was completed in the first half, will utilize optimal processes with mature technology and stable mass production to widen the technological gap.The growth of the general DRAM and NAND flash markets is also robust. In the second quarter, sales of the next-generation memory module 'SOCAMM2' surged, and the supply of sixth-generation (1c) process products in the 10-nanometer range has begun in earnest. NAND production is accelerating the transition to advanced processes, with 321-layer products already accounting for the largest share of total production, expected to reach 50% of domestic production capacity by the end of the year.With record profits, the company's financial health has also strengthened. By the end of the second quarter, cash and cash equivalents increased by 33.6 trillion won from the previous quarter to 88 trillion won. Borrowings decreased to 18.6 trillion won, resulting in a significant increase in net cash to 69.4 trillion won.SK Hynix plans to significantly expand its production capacity to meet market demand that exceeds supply capabilities. The Cheongju M15X facility, which began operations in April, will accelerate the timeline for mass production as a new memory production base.The company is also investing to quickly expand production capacity in line with the opening of the clean room for the first phase of the Yongin semiconductor cluster in early 2027, and it is gradually pursuing long-term investments in advanced packaging plant P&T7 and NAND production base M17.SK Hynix stated, "We will strengthen both production capacity and financial health by maintaining our investment principles." 2026-07-29 08:45:00
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Meritz Securities Lowers Hanmi Pharmaceutical's Target Price by 8.7% Meritz Securities announced on July 29 that it has lowered its target price for Hanmi Pharmaceutical from 69,000 won to 63,000 won, a decrease of 8.7%, citing slower-than-expected recovery for Beijing Hanmi. However, the firm maintained a 'buy' rating, considering the upcoming domestic launch of the obesity treatment GLP-1 new drug in the second half of the year and the momentum in new drug development.Kim Jun-young, a researcher at Meritz Securities, stated, "We are adjusting the target price to reflect the prolonged impact of the concentrated purchasing system at Beijing Hanmi and the delay in normalizing profitability. However, the domestic launch of epeglanatide in the second half is expected to mark the entry of Hanmi Pharmaceutical's obesity treatment business into a full commercialization phase."For the second quarter, Hanmi Pharmaceutical reported consolidated sales of 467.2 billion won and an operating profit of 131.1 billion won, representing increases of 29.3% and 116.9%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. The operating profit exceeded market expectations by approximately 18.4%, largely due to a $75 million upfront payment from a technology transfer agreement with global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly for sonapeglenatide, which was reflected as 112.7 billion won in royalty income.On a standalone basis, product sales increased due to stable growth of the dyslipidemia treatment 'Rosuzet' and the expansion of co-promotion with global pharmaceutical companies. In contrast, Beijing Hanmi reported poor performance with sales of 60.7 billion won and an operating profit of 600 million won, impacted by decreased sales of key products due to the concentrated purchasing system in China.Meritz Securities anticipates that the recovery pace for Beijing Hanmi will be slow due to ongoing drug price reduction policies in China, but it remains optimistic about the obesity treatment business and the value of new drugs. Notably, the triple-action obesity treatment candidate 'LA-TRIA' is expected to gain value as clinical results and market expansion of competing drugs become apparent.Kim added, "Among global pharmaceutical companies, there are not many with a triple-action pipeline, excluding Novo Nordisk. If positive results are confirmed in the ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials, the value of the new drug could significantly increase."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 08:33:00
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NH Investment & Securities Lowers HYBE's Target Price Amid Market Volatility NH Investment & Securities has lowered its target price for HYBE from 300,000 won to 270,000 won, citing deteriorating investor sentiment due to increased market volatility. The firm maintained its 'buy' rating.Lee Hwa-jung, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities, stated, "Despite the earnings surprise, concerns over profitability due to the increased share of concert revenue have led to an excessive drop in stock prices. This overlooks the record-high growth in overall revenue." She explained that the decline in profitability is simply a result of changes in the revenue mix.Lee noted, "The expected price-to-earnings ratio (PER) for this year is around 19 times, which is historically undervalued. The rapid growth of the fandom for NewJeans and the expansion of global music sales centered around BTS and Cat's Eye will be long-term growth drivers." She added that the current situation is favorable for bottom-fishing investments.HYBE's consolidated revenue for the second quarter of this year reached 1.4 trillion won, a 106% increase compared to the same period last year, while operating profit surged 159% to 170.9 billion won.Lee attributed the strong performance to the success of BTS concerts, the expansion of merchandise sales, and the growth in music streaming, stating, "The overall increase in both unit prices and demand across revenue sources has further strengthened the long-term growth potential."The concert segment recorded its highest revenue ever at 647.7 billion won, driven by rising ticket prices and sales volume. Concerts accounted for 45% of total revenue, significantly exceeding the previous estimate of 38%.While the increased share of concert revenue, which has a higher cost ratio than other revenue sources like music and merchandise, has put some pressure on overall profitability, Lee emphasized that the economies of scale from overwhelming revenue growth have offset this, maintaining a solid contribution to absolute profits.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 08:30:00
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KB Securities Lowers Hanwha Systems Target Price Despite Strong Q2 Performance KB Securities announced on July 29 that it has lowered its target price for Hanwha Systems from 120,000 won to 85,000 won, despite the company reporting strong second-quarter results that exceeded market expectations. The adjustment reflects anticipated declines in profitability for the second half of the year and recent market volatility. However, the investment rating remains 'buy' due to the company's long-term growth potential.In a report, analyst Jeong Dong-ik stated, "The consolidated results for the second quarter showed sales of 1.1176 trillion won and operating profit of 103.7 billion won, surpassing market expectations by 18.3% and 76.3%, respectively."He further explained that the defense sector contributed significantly to the improved performance, with high-margin exports such as the Cheongung-II surface-to-air missile multifunction radar to the United Arab Emirates and the K2 tank fire control system to Poland being recognized as revenue in the second quarter.Additionally, domestic sales from the Ulsan-class frigate and KF-21 fighter jet radar also contributed to the positive results. The reduction in operating losses at the U.S. shipyard, from 46.6 billion won in the previous quarter to 19.2 billion won this quarter, also aided in improving operating profit.However, Jeong predicts a slight decline in profitability for the second half of the year. He noted, "Despite seasonal factors and increased sales due to delivery schedules, a drop in operating profit margin is inevitable. This is expected as significant investments in the development of various radars, laser weapons, unmanned surface vessels, and space-related technologies will increase substantially."He anticipates that the overall operating profit margin, which was 7.2% in the first half, will fall to around 3.4% in the second half.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 08:30:00
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Trump Calls U.S.-South Korea Alliance a Pillar of Peace in Indo-Pacific President Donald Trump marked the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War armistice by describing the U.S.-South Korea alliance as a pillar of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, vowing to defend freedom against communist threats.The White House released a message from President Trump on July 27, recognizing the contributions of veterans on the anniversary of the armistice.In the message, Trump stated, "The United States and South Korea remain a steadfast alliance, forged through shared sacrifice and an unwavering love for freedom, even more than 70 years after the war ended." He emphasized that this bond serves as a foundation for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, reiterating America's solemn commitment to stand with allies across Asia against forces of evil and oppression.Trump also honored the courage and dedication of American veterans who fought and sacrificed their lives to ensure that the people of South Korea could enjoy freedom. He noted that the war began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean forces invaded South Korea, prompting the U.S. to rally a coalition of 22 nations to halt the spread of communism.He remarked on the resilience of U.S. troops who endured harsh conditions while defending the front lines against fierce attacks from North Korean and Chinese forces, stating, "South Korea emerged from the brink of conquest as a proud and independent nation."Trump highlighted that the U.S.-South Korea alliance, built on these sacrifices, underpins security not only on the Korean Peninsula but throughout the entire Indo-Pacific region. He reaffirmed America's resolve to continue standing with South Korea and other Asian allies against threats to global peace."Communist ambitions are once again raising their heads in the West, but our resolve will never waver," Trump said. "Communism is a fierce enemy of free people worldwide, and our administration will confront this threat with unwavering strength, defending freedom both at home and abroad."He quoted the inscription on the Korean War Veterans Memorial, stating, "Freedom is not free," and expressed respect for the veterans who delivered the precious gift of freedom and sovereignty to millions of South Koreans.This year's message notably did not mention Trump's personal diplomatic efforts with North Korea, which were highlighted in last year's message. In 2025, he emphasized being the first sitting U.S. president to step into North Korean territory during his first term. He also discussed maintaining maximum pressure and sanctions to lead negotiations for North Korean denuclearization, the release of American detainees, and the repatriation of U.S. military remains.Additionally, this year's message omitted references to the "peace through strength" foreign policy, the commitment to defend the Korean Peninsula, and promises to rebuild the military and support veterans. Instead, it focused more on the strategic role of the U.S.-South Korea alliance in the Indo-Pacific and a global anti-communism message.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 08:27:00
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Hwang Jae-kyun Shows Off Dramatic Weight Loss and Long Hair Former baseball player and current broadcaster Hwang Jae-kyun has recently shared updates about his life.On July 28, Tving Sports posted a video titled 'Chuno Appears on Tving' on social media.In the video, Hwang Jae-kyun appeared with his long hair tied back. When the production team remarked, 'You look just like Jang Hyuk today,' Hwang jokingly responded, 'I need to go catch someone from Chuno.'When asked how long he plans to grow his hair, he replied, 'I’m growing it until I can tie it up. I want to keep it long until I stop getting comments telling me to cut it.'In response, netizens expressed concern, commenting, 'Is he sick?' and 'He has lost so much weight. He needs to take care of his health.'Meanwhile, Hwang Jae-kyun retired from professional baseball last year.At that time, he stated through his team, 'I received a good offer from KT, but after much consideration, I decided to retire.' He added, 'Thanks to the fans who have always supported me passionately, I was able to play as a professional for 20 years.'He reflected, 'I enjoyed the greatest moment of winning the Korean Series and had the honor of representing my country in various international competitions like the Olympics and Asian Games. I want to be remembered as a player who consistently performed well without major injuries throughout my professional career. I would like to express my gratitude to my family, coaches, teammates, and the teams I have been a part of.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 08:27:00
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SK hynix rewrites record books, but misses lofty Q2 profit forecasts SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - SK hynix rewrote the record books in the second quarter as booming demand for artificial intelligence memory chips drove another quarter of historic earnings, though operating profit fell short of lofty market expectations. Operating profit for the April-June period came to 60.54 trillion won, up 61 percent from 37.61 trillion won recorded in the previous quarter. The figure fell short of the market consensus of approximately 64.1 trillion won, according to financial data provider FnGuide. Revenue reached 79.32 trillion won, up 51 percent from 52.58 trillion won posted in the first quarter. The world's second-largest memory chipmaker attributed the performance to solid demand for high-value AI memory products, including High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) chips and enterprise solid-state drives (eSSDs). Operating margin came in at 76 percent, compared with 72 percent in the previous quarter, reflecting a richer product mix centered on premium AI memory products. Net profit for the quarter totaled 93.92 trillion won, compared with 40.35 trillion won in the January-March period. The company said it expects structural growth in AI memory demand to continue as major technology companies expand investments in AI infrastructure. It added that it has completed long-term supply agreement negotiations with around 10 customers, including key clients, while continuing discussions with other major customers to secure stable medium- to long-term supply. SK hynix said it began mass shipments of its HBM4 products in the second quarter and plans to ramp up production in the second half of the year. It also said HBM4E samples have already been supplied to customers and were developed using an optimized process designed for mass production. The company said it would continue to strengthen production capacity while maintaining capital expenditure discipline, accelerating the ramp-up of its M15X fab and preparing to expand production at its first Yongin fab after the cleanroom opens in early 2027. SK hynix has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the global AI spending boom, strengthening its position in the High Bandwidth Memory market by supplying advanced HBM chips to major AI chipmakers, including Nvidia. The earnings come as investors closely watch whether the AI investment cycle can sustain record demand for advanced memory chips and whether the company can maintain its technology leadership as competition intensifies with Samsung Electronics and Micron Technology. 2026-07-29 08:23:46