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Celltrion Reports Record Q2 Revenue of 1.4 Trillion Won Celltrion achieved record quarterly revenue, marking significant growth in both sales and profits.On July 27, Celltrion announced that its consolidated revenue for the second quarter reached 1.39 trillion won, with an operating profit of 451.8 billion won. This represents a 45% increase in revenue and an 86.3% rise in operating profit compared to the same period last year. The operating profit margin improved to 32.4%, up 7.2 percentage points from a year earlier.The improvement in performance is attributed to stable growth in its core biosimilar products and the expansion of high-margin new products. Truxima maintained its market share leadership in the U.S. due to an expanded long-term supply contract, while Remsima also held the top position in key markets. In Japan, Herzuma achieved a record market share of 78%, surpassing 30% in Europe.The growth of new products was even more pronounced. Revenue from new products increased by 76% year-on-year, accounting for 65% of total biosimilar product sales. Remsima SC surpassed a 32% market share in the five major European countries, and the U.S. product Jimpenda has seen a steady increase in prescriptions since its launch.Uplima maintained its number one market share in the European adalimumab market while also increasing its share in the U.S. based on an expanded distribution network. Vegzelma continued to lead in Europe and secured a growth foundation by being listed in the formularies of major pharmacy benefit managers in the U.S.The combined quarterly revenue from five new products—Idencel, Aptozma, Omriclo, Stoboclo & Osentbelt, and Stekima—exceeded 300 billion won, a 49% increase from the previous quarter.Profitability also improved. The cost of sales ratio for the second quarter was 38%, down 5.4 percentage points year-on-year and 2.1 percentage points from the previous quarter. This improvement is attributed to a better product mix, the depletion of high-cost inventory, enhanced production yield, and increased process efficiency.Despite accounting for research and development expenses, Celltrion maintained an operating profit margin exceeding 30%. The company expects to exceed its first-half performance as major country bids and the expansion of new product market shares ramp up in the second half. It aims to surpass its annual targets of 5.3 trillion won in revenue and 1.8 trillion won in operating profit set at the beginning of the year. 2026-07-27 09:28:00 -
Hanwha Aerospace Secures Major Contract Worth 2.5% of Revenue, Potential K9 Collaboration Hanwha Aerospace has signed a major supply contract amounting to 2.5% of its revenue. The market is paying close attention to the potential collaboration related to the replacement of Spain's aging self-propelled howitzers, scheduled for the third quarter.According to a disclosure on July 27 by the Financial Supervisory Service, Hanwha Aerospace announced that it signed a basic contract for the supply of goods exceeding 2.5% of its revenue on July 24. The company's standalone revenue for 2025 is projected at 9.5251 trillion won, while its consolidated revenue is expected to reach 26.7029 trillion won. Based on these figures, the contract size is estimated to be between approximately 238.1 billion and 660 billion won.Hanwha Aerospace stated, "Due to the confidentiality request from the counterparty, details such as the contract name, amount, supply items, counterparty, and contract duration are undisclosed. We will re-disclose this information once the confidentiality reasons are resolved."Industry insiders believe that this contract is likely related to Spain's project to replace its aging M109 self-propelled howitzers. Spain is pursuing the introduction of a 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer system utilizing K9 technology.In March, Hanwha Aerospace also signed a binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Spanish defense company Indra Group for the modernization of self-propelled howitzers.If this contract is confirmed to be linked to the K9 project, Hanwha Aerospace is expected to expand the operational area of the K9 from Eastern and Northern Europe to Western Europe. 2026-07-27 09:28:00
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KOSPI Opens Higher but Turns Lower Amid Foreign and Institutional Selling The KOSPI started the day with gains but reversed course due to selling pressure from foreign and institutional investors. While individual investors stepped in to buy, limiting the decline, the index fluctuated around the 6,680 mark.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:08 a.m., the KOSPI was down 6.14 points (0.09%) at 6,684.48. The index opened at 6,806.27, up 115.65 points (1.73%) from the previous trading day, but subsequently gave up those gains and turned lower, hovering around the 6,680 level.In the securities market, foreign and institutional investors sold a net 418.4 billion won and 59.1 billion won, respectively, taking profits. In contrast, individual investors bought a net 472.3 billion won, helping to support the index.Among the top market capitalization stocks in the KOSPI, mixed performance was observed. Samsung Electronics rose 1.20%, SK Hynix gained 0.17%, Samsung Electro-Mechanics increased by 0.30%, and KB Financial climbed 1.46%. However, Hyundai Motor fell 0.12%, Samsung Biologics dropped 0.07%, and Samsung Life Insurance decreased by 1.42%.At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 757.17, up 8.95 points (1.20%) from the previous day. The index opened at 760.54, up 12.32 points (1.65%), but later retraced some of its gains.In the KOSDAQ market, both individual and institutional investors bought a net 13.2 billion won each, while foreign investors sold a net 25.7 billion won.Top stocks in the KOSDAQ also showed mixed trends. Alteogen rose 2.50%, EcoPro increased by 3.33%, EcoPro BM gained 2.86%, Rainbow Robotics climbed 4.06%, JUSUNG Engineering rose 4.89%, LinoTech increased by 0.73%, and IBL Bio gained 1.24%. Conversely, Wonik IPS fell 0.50%, and HLB dropped 1.12%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 09:24:00
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Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk's 'The Remarried Empress' Set to Premiere on Disney+ This Fall Disney+ has unveiled the teaser poster for its original series 'The Remarried Empress.''The Remarried Empress' tells the story of the perfect empress Nabiyah of the Eastern Empire, who is informed of her divorce by Emperor Sobiesu, who has fallen for a runaway slave named Rasta. In exchange for accepting the divorce, she demands approval for her remarriage to Prince Heinrich of the Western Kingdom, leading to a romantic fantasy epic.The teaser poster features Empress Nabiyah standing alone in a solemn courtroom. Her composed demeanor and calm expression reflect her dignity and authority as the empress of the Eastern Empire.The poster includes the striking phrase, "I accept the divorce. And I demand approval for my remarriage." This iconic line, well-known among fans of the original work, illustrates Nabiyah's determination to choose her own path in the face of her husband's betrayal and divorce announcement.Shin Min-a plays the role of Empress Nabiyah, a character who has lived as the perfect empress but stands firm against immense trials to rewrite her destiny. Shin Min-a is expected to portray Nabiyah's grace and leadership through her elegant charisma and emotional acting.'The Remarried Empress' is based on a webtoon that has garnered a global cumulative view count of 2.97 billion as of July 2026, and it is being adapted from the popular IP of the same name. It is also noted as Disney+'s first K-romance fantasy.The cast includes Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, and Lee Se-young, who will complete the narrative of love, power, and desire within the royal court. Attention is also focused on the romantic fantasy world of four characters set against the backdrop of the fictional royal family of the Eastern Empire.'The Remarried Empress' is set to premiere on Disney+ this fall.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 09:24:00
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Heat Wave Continues Across South Korea with Temperatures Reaching 37 Degrees On July 27, the heat wave is expected to persist across South Korea. According to Yonhap News, warm and humid air continues to flow in along the edge of the North Pacific High. As of 8 a.m., temperatures in major cities were reported as follows: Busan at 28.9 degrees Celsius, Daejeon and Gwangju at 27.4 degrees, Seoul at 27.3 degrees, Incheon and Ulsan at 27.0 degrees, and Daegu at 26.7 degrees. During the day, the perceived temperature in the southern regions is expected to exceed 35 degrees Celsius, while other areas may see temperatures rise above 33 degrees. Currently, Daegu, along with Gyeongsangbuk-do cities such as Gyeongsan, Cheongdo, Goryeong, Pohang, and Gyeongju, as well as Gyeongsangnam-do cities including Yangsan, Gimhae, Miryang, Uiryeong, Ham-an, Changnyeong, and Hapcheon, are under a heat wave warning, with perceived temperatures expected to reach 38 degrees and actual temperatures exceeding 39 degrees. The maximum daytime temperatures are forecasted to range from 31 to 37 degrees Celsius. In Seoul and Incheon, daytime temperatures are expected to reach 33 degrees, Daejeon 34 degrees, Gwangju and Busan 35 degrees, Ulsan 36 degrees, and Daegu 37 degrees. The Korea Meteorological Administration stated that from July 31 to August 6, morning temperatures are expected to range from 24 to 26 degrees, with daytime temperatures between 32 and 39 degrees. It is anticipated that tropical nights will continue nationwide at least until early next month, along with ongoing heat waves. However, showers may occur in the metropolitan area, Gangwon, northern Chungcheong, and northern Gyeongsangbuk-do until the evening. Expected rainfall amounts are 5 to 60 mm in the metropolitan area, inland Gangwon, and mountainous regions of Gangwon; 5 to 40 mm in northern Chungcheong and northern Gyeongsangbuk-do; and 5 to 30 mm along the eastern coast of Gangwon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 09:20:00
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Chinese Battery Firms Thrive Amid AI Boom, CATL Sees ESS Revenue Double in First Half Chinese battery manufacturers experienced significant growth in the first half of this year, driven by a surge in demand for energy storage systems (ESS) due to a global boom in AI data center construction, state-run CCTV reported on July 27.In the first half of the year, China's lithium-ion battery production increased by 39.3% compared to the previous year, with shipments of batteries for ESS rising by over 80%. The Chinese government aims to secure 300 million kW of new ESS capacity by 2030, which is double the 136 million kW installed in China as of the end of 2025.During the first half of the year, 35 ESS companies in China reported a total order volume of 550 GWh, with domestic orders reaching 383 GWh, marking a 121.8% increase year-on-year. According to Dongwu Securities, the global ESS market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 30% from 2026 to 2030.CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited), the world's leading battery manufacturer, reported a 54.8% increase in revenue for the first half of the year, reaching 276.9 billion yuan (approximately $60 billion). Its net profit rose by 41.9% to 43.2 billion yuan (about $9.3 billion).Of CATL's first-half revenue, sales of batteries for new energy vehicles amounted to 192.1 billion yuan, a 46.0% increase from the previous year, while ESS battery sales surged by 87.5% to 53.2 billion yuan. Domestic sales increased by 61.2% to 189.7 billion yuan, while international sales rose by 42.3% to 87.1 billion yuan. In response to the growing demand for ESS batteries, CATL is currently expanding its production capacity by 764 GWh.Additionally, rising oil prices from the Middle East have contributed to increased sales of new energy vehicles, benefiting Chinese battery manufacturers. According to SNE Research, global battery usage for vehicles increased by 16.3% year-on-year as of May this year. CATL maintained its market share at 40.2%, followed by BYD at 14.4% and LG Energy Solution at 8.7%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 09:16:00
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Iran's Supreme Leader Affirms Support for Hezbollah as Strategic Policy Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei has expressed his commitment to continue supporting Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned militant group in Lebanon.On July 26, the office of the Supreme Leader reported that Khamenei stated in a letter to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem and its commanders and fighters, "Protecting Hezbollah is a strategic policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran."Khamenei praised Hezbollah for standing at the forefront of resistance against Israel and its allies, and he expressed gratitude to the Lebanese people and residents of southern Lebanon for their support.He asserted that Lebanon's territorial integrity must be fully preserved and that Israeli attacks should be completely and unconditionally halted. He emphasized that such conditions should be included in any future agreements to end conflicts.Criticizing the United States and Israel, Khamenei stated, "There is no other path but armed struggle and resistance."This letter was a response to a message of support from Hezbollah's leadership, including Naim Qassem, following Khamenei's ascension as Supreme Leader.Khamenei's remarks come amid U.S. and Israeli calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah, which has grown into a prominent Iran-backed militant force in the Middle East but has suffered significant losses in leadership and military strength during recent clashes with Israel.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 09:12:00
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U.S. Central Command Chief Recommends Halting Limited Strikes in Hormuz The U.S. Central Command chief, who oversees military operations against Iran, has reportedly recommended halting airstrikes concentrated in the Strait of Hormuz, stating their effectiveness has reached a limit.Axios reported on July 27, citing multiple sources, that General Brad Cooper conveyed this opinion to the Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the White House.Cooper's recommendation is said to have influenced President Donald Trump's decision to temporarily suspend airstrikes against Iran on July 24.Axios assessed that Cooper's advice reflects an acknowledgment by Trump's military and civilian advisors of the limitations of achieving results solely through military actions, particularly those relying on air power.Cooper noted that the two weeks of airstrikes in the Strait of Hormuz have significantly weakened Iran's ability to attack shipping, and most of the key targets designated by U.S. forces have been exhausted.He explained that a large-scale combat operation could be resumed to strike the remaining approximately 20% of targets that were identified during the U.S. operation 'Operation Wrath of the Mighty,' but not attacked.However, he emphasized that without restarting large-scale military operations, there would be little benefit in continuing limited airstrikes like those conducted over the past two weeks.According to sources, President Trump directed a temporary halt to airstrikes in the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran's southern coast after receiving a new strike plan from senior advisors and military leaders on July 24.Trump was reportedly leaning toward resuming large-scale military operations before the meeting but began to change his stance starting the evening of July 23.General Dan Cain, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also privately warned Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that a shortage of air defense interceptors could hinder the defense of U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East and regional allies, Axios reported.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 09:08:00
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Epson Expands Inkjet Sector with Additional Investment in Gosan Tech Epson announced on July 27 that it has made an additional investment in the domestic inkjet technology startup Gosan Tech through its investment fund, EP-GB L.P. This investment follows a strategic investment made in 2025 and aims to strengthen collaboration in the manufacturing of next-generation perovskite solar cells (PSC) using inkjet technology. Founded in 2015, Gosan Tech has expanded its business from inkjet systems for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) manufacturing to include perovskite solar cell production systems and applications in the biomedical field. Applying inkjet processes in the promising perovskite solar cell sector can reduce material usage and enhance production efficiency, making it a key technology for large-scale production and commercialization. Gosan Tech is developing and commercializing solar cell modules and manufacturing equipment based on this technology. Since last year's initial investment, Epson has supported Gosan Tech's growth by supplying industrial printheads through Korea Epson. With this additional investment, Epson plans to broaden the application of inkjet technology in the next-generation eco-friendly energy sector and promote market expansion. This decision is part of Epson's long-term vision, 'ENGINEERED FUTURE 2035,' announced in March. Jun Morohushi, CEO of Korea Epson, stated, "This additional investment will further strengthen the technological collaboration between the two companies. We aim to contribute to the expansion of the domestic inkjet ecosystem and sustainable industrial development through printhead supply and technical support." 2026-07-27 09:08:00
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Government Expands Private Sector Participation in Natural Gas Supply and Storage The government is expanding private sector participation in the natural gas storage system, which has been primarily public, and is establishing an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system to predict supply crises. By 2038, the plan aims to secure a maximum storage capacity of 8.87 million tons through the expansion of private storage tanks.The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on July 27 that it has finalized and publicized the 16th Long-term Natural Gas Supply Plan, which outlines projections for natural gas demand, resource security, import and supply management, and supply base expansion from 2026 to 2038.According to the plan, the baseline demand for natural gas is expected to decrease from 45.91 million tons in 2026 to 41 million tons in 2038, averaging a decline of 0.94% per year.Projections for specific uses varied. Demand for city gas is anticipated to increase from 23.56 million tons to 28.16 million tons during the same period, averaging a rise of 1.50% annually. In contrast, demand for power generation is expected to drop from 22.35 million tons to 12.84 million tons, averaging a decrease of 4.51%. This estimate is based on the power generation composition outlined in the 11th Basic Plan for Power Supply, finalized last February.The government has separately calculated the demand for supply management, considering the volatility in demand for natural gas for power generation. This demand is projected to increase slightly from 47.62 million tons in 2026 to 47.67 million tons in 2038, maintaining a stable level. The government plans to utilize this for expanding natural gas supply facilities and long-term import contracts.The current projections do not account for changes in demand for natural gas for power generation due to three major projects: semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers. The Ministry plans to revise and supplement the demand forecast once the 12th Basic Plan for Power Supply is finalized.Private sector participation in natural gas storage will be expanded. The government will allow private entities, such as direct importers for self-consumption, to participate in the currently public-centric storage system and will utilize existing public infrastructure to reduce the burden of constructing new facilities.An integrated system for managing import and inventory information for both public and private sectors will also be established. The government plans to use AI to predict supply crises and conduct scenario simulations to create a proactive response system.To enhance import stability, the government will promote diversification of supply sources and the expansion of long-term contracts. This aims to reduce exposure to the highly volatile spot market and prevent sharp increases in import prices due to spikes in specific price indices by creating a portfolio that utilizes various price indices, including oil and gas prices.The government will also expand the supply base. It plans to secure a maximum storage capacity of 8.87 million tons by expanding private storage tanks and constructing an additional 564 kilometers of main natural gas pipelines by 2038.In areas where new demand for city gas arises, the government will establish supply points considering economic viability and public interest. In regions where city gas supply is challenging, it plans to expand liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipeline projects based on local demand and economic factors.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 09:04:00