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  • Hana Securities Raises Korean Airs Target Price Following Strong Q2 Earnings
    Hana Securities Raises Korean Air's Target Price Following Strong Q2 Earnings Hana Securities announced on July 14 that Korean Air's second-quarter performance significantly exceeded market expectations, prompting the firm to raise its target price to 41,000 won while maintaining a 'buy' rating.Analyst Ahn Do-hyun stated in a report that the second quarter confirmed the inelastic demand for premium air travel and air cargo. He projected that Korean Air's consolidated operating profit is expected to rise to 2.3 trillion won next year.Ahn noted that Korean Air's standalone revenue for the second quarter increased by 26% year-on-year to 5.1 trillion won, while operating profit fell by 34% to 261.8 billion won, significantly surpassing both the firm's estimate (operating profit of 65 billion won) and market consensus. He assessed that while air cargo drove the second quarter's performance, the stronger-than-expected results were primarily influenced by the robust international flight demand.Ahn highlighted that despite rising ticket prices, demand remained strong, which he viewed as the most positive aspect of the results. He pointed out that there was significant revenue growth across all international routes in the second quarter.Specifically, he reported that revenue from routes to Japan and China increased by 32% and 31%, respectively, while revenue from routes to North America and Europe rose by 22% and 11%. This contrasts with low-cost carriers (LCCs), which have struggled to raise fares on short-haul routes.Furthermore, Ahn noted that the preference for full-service carriers (FSCs) has increased since the war, and the substantial year-on-year revenue growth on short-haul routes to Japan and China is a positive sign. He anticipates that in the third quarter, the rising prices for North American routes will gradually be reflected, and while fuel surcharges are expected to drop to levels below those in April starting in August, strong demand will likely keep passenger and cargo rates elevated for the foreseeable future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:40:00
  • Court Denies Arrest Warrant for Kang Ho-pil Amid Insurrection Allegations
    Court Denies Arrest Warrant for Kang Ho-pil Amid Insurrection Allegations An arrest warrant for Kang Ho-pil, the former commander of the Army's Ground Operations Command, has been denied amid allegations of involvement in insurrection related to the December 3 emergency martial law. According to legal sources on July 14, Judge Lee Jong-rok of the Seoul Central District Court, who presided over the warrant review the previous day, stated, "There is room for dispute regarding the criminal charges, and considering the progress of the investigation, there is little concern for evidence destruction or flight," leading to the rejection of the warrant requested by the second comprehensive special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young. Kang is accused of being involved in the internal situation room setup at the Ground Operations Command following the declaration of martial law and directing the assembly of crisis response teams and all command staff. The special investigation team believes that Kang converted the Ground Operations Command into a 'martial law response system,' thus implicating him in insurrection important mission charges. However, the denial of the arrest warrant has hindered the progress of the special investigation. Previously, the insurrection special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok, excluded the Ground Operations Command from prosecution, citing a lack of evidence that actual troops were deployed or specific missions were carried out. Kang, who appeared at the warrant review, reportedly denied the allegations, asserting that he was unaware of the martial law in advance and had no involvement in its execution.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:40:00
  • Hanwha General Insurance to Establish Hospital School for Pediatric Patients
    Hanwha General Insurance to Establish Hospital School for Pediatric Patients Hanwha General Insurance is establishing a collaborative framework with medical and welfare institutions to support pediatric patients and their caregivers. The company announced on July 14 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea University Medical Center and the Our Children's Medical Foundation to ensure educational rights for pediatric patients and provide wellness support for their caregivers. On July 10, it also entered into an agreement with the Korean Ronald McDonald House (RMHC KOREA). Through this series of agreements, Hanwha aims to create a 'Wellness Alliance for Pediatric Caregivers' and jointly develop support programs to guarantee educational rights for pediatric patients and aid in the physical and emotional recovery of their caregivers. Initially, in collaboration with Korea University Medical Center, the company will launch a pilot program for a specialized hospital school focused on mental health for children and adolescents whose daily lives and education have been disrupted due to mental illness. In partnership with the Our Children's Medical Foundation, Hanwha will establish and operate a specialized hospital school for pediatric patients undergoing long-term treatment for physical illnesses. As part of the hospital school program, a wellness initiative will be developed to allow caregivers, who are often exhausted from caregiving, to rest and find psychological stability. RMHC KOREA will provide expert advice on developing wellness programs for pediatric patients and their caregivers. Based on this collaboration, Hanwha plans to support wellness kits for caregivers that can be used in the field. Na Chae-beom, CEO of Hanwha General Insurance, stated, “We initiated this project to empathize with the pain of pediatric patients whose daily lives have been disrupted by prolonged treatment and the caregivers who silently endure their hardships. We will work closely with specialized institutions in each field to realize the value of 'Well Together.'”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:36:00
  • Dubai Seeks New Logistics Hub as Hormuz Strait Faces Blockade
    Dubai Seeks New Logistics Hub as Hormuz Strait Faces Blockade Dubai is working to establish a new logistics hub that bypasses the Hormuz Strait. Following a blockade that has impacted Jebel Ali Port, the largest logistics hub in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to create a second logistics gateway on its eastern coast.The Financial Times reported on July 13 that DP World, the port operator owned by the Dubai government, is in discussions with UAE authorities to construct a multipurpose new port in Fujairah. There are also plans to add a container terminal to the existing Fujairah Port.Fujairah is located on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Hormuz Strait. With the new port, vessels would be able to access the eastern coast of the UAE directly, avoiding the strait. Cargo could then be transported overland to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.Sources from the Financial Times indicated that the volume of traffic at Jebel Ali Port has decreased by 90 to 95 percent since Iran closed the Hormuz Strait. However, this figure has not been officially confirmed by DP World.DP World is currently discussing the business structure and financing options with UAE authorities. The scale of construction and investment amounts have yet to be finalized. A senior company official stated that the new port could be operational within 18 months.The Fujairah new port is expected to serve as a supplementary facility rather than a replacement for Jebel Ali Port in case of emergencies. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi has previously stated that the logistics network will be restructured to reduce dependence on the strait to zero, regardless of whether it is reopened.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:36:00
  • Seoul bourse enters a technical bear phase
    Seoul bourse enters a technical bear phase SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) -South Korean stocks has entered a technical bear market on Tuesday after the benchmark KOSPI fell nearly 30 percent from its June peak above the 9,000 mark, as a brutal selloff in semiconductor shares deepened on renewed concerns that the artificial intelligence boom may be nearing an earnings peak. The benchmark KOSPI plunged 8.95 percent to close at 6,806.93, its lowest level in 48 trading sessions and the fourth-largest one-day point decline on record. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ lost 4.55 percent to 799.36. The selloff followed Monday's record collapse in SK hynix shares and spread overnight to Wall Street, where SK hynix's Nasdaq-listed American depositary receipts slid another 9.3 percent after their spectacular debut last Friday. The weakness rippled across the broader U.S. semiconductor sector, with Micron Technology falling 4.3 percent, Intel losing more than 6 percent, Sandisk tumbling 12.6 percent, while Nvidia, AMD and Marvell Technology also retreated as investors reassessed lofty AI valuations. The combined decline erased much of the optimism surrounding SK hynix's landmark U.S. listing, which had been expected to broaden the company's global investor base and reinforce Korea's position at the center of the AI memory supply chain. Instead, investors shifted their focus from the historic capital raising to slowing earnings momentum. SK hynix's Korean shares crashed 15.37 percent to 1.845 million won on Monday, marking the steepest one-day decline in the company's history after having already retreated sharply from their record high. The ADRs closed at $152.35 overnight, extending the correction after Friday's Nasdaq debut. Samsung Electronics also slid 10.7 percent in Seoul, leaving the country's two semiconductor bellwethers down roughly 32 percent and 38 percent, respectively, from their recent peaks. The correction officially pushed the KOSPI into what market convention defines as a technical bear market, with the index falling about 28 percent from its intraday high of 9,385.59 reached on June 19 to Tuesday's intraday low near 6,780. Trading was halted for 20 minutes after the Korea Exchange activated a market-wide circuit breaker at 1:28 p.m., the 13th such suspension in history. More strikingly, seven circuit breakers have now been triggered this year alone, reflecting unprecedented volatility fueled by concentrated semiconductor bets and the proliferation of single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds. The unwind has been particularly painful for retail investors who had crowded into leveraged products tracking Samsung Electronics and SK hynix during this year's AI-driven rally. All 14 leveraged ETFs linked to the two companies fell to record lows. KODEX SK hynix Leverage ETF has now lost more than 66 percent from its late-June peak, while TIGER Samsung Electronics Leverage ETF has shed nearly 60 percent from its June high. Online investment communities were flooded with posts from individual investors reporting losses reaching hundreds of millions of won, with many lamenting that leveraged ETFs had become "gambling rather than investing." Market strategists said the correction reflects a combination of profit-taking after one of the world's strongest equity rallies, mounting concerns that semiconductor earnings may have peaked, and external shocks including renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that lifted oil prices and global bond yields. Analysts also noted that the Korean market has become unusually dependent on a handful of AI-related stocks. According to Eugene Investment & Securities, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix accounted for more than 78 percent of the KOSPI's gains during the first half of the year. As a result, the correction in those two names has translated into market-wide volatility far exceeding that seen in Japan or Taiwan, where chip shares have also weakened but broader indexes have remained relatively resilient. Adding to investor caution are growing doubts over second-quarter earnings. Korea Investment & Securities recently lowered its operating profit forecasts for SK hynix by incorporating the impact of long-term supply agreements, trimming this year's and next year's earnings estimates by 9 percent and 11 percent, respectively. It now expects second-quarter operating profit to come in about 8 percent below market consensus. The ADR listing itself may also have contributed to the reversal. While SK hynix's U.S. shares initially surged after listing, analysts said much of the optimism had already been priced into the Seoul-listed shares before the debut, prompting investors to lock in profits once the long-anticipated event had passed. Despite the sharp correction, strategists stopped short of calling for a prolonged bear market. Many argued that valuation has become considerably more attractive after the rapid decline, although a sustained recovery will depend on whether upcoming earnings from major global chipmakers can restore confidence in AI demand. 2026-07-14 08:33:25
  • U.S. Stock Market Declines Amid Semiconductor Slump and Geopolitical Tensions
    U.S. Stock Market Declines Amid Semiconductor Slump and Geopolitical Tensions 국내 증시는 전 거래일 삼성전자와 SK하이닉스 등 대형 반도체주 급락 충격에서 벗어나지 못하며 변동성 장세가 이어질 전망이다. 다만 최근 코스피 급락 폭이 금융위기 이후 수준까지 확대된 만큼 낙폭 과대에 따른 기술적 반등 가능성도 제기된다. 뉴욕증시는 반도체주 급락과 중동 지정학적 긴장 고조 여파로 하락 마감했다. 13일(현지시간) 뉴욕증권거래소에서 다우존스30 산업평균지수는 전 거래일 대비 138.37포인트(-0.26%) 하락한 52498.64에 거래를 마쳤다. S&P500지수는 60.05포인트(-0.79%) 내린 7515.34, 기술주 중심의 나스닥종합지수는 408.43포인트(-1.55%) 하락한 25873.18에 마감했다. 특히 반도체주 낙폭이 두드러졌다. 필라델피아 반도체지수는 전일 대비 4.78% 급락했고, 마이크론(-4.3%), 샌디스크(-12.6%), 엔비디아(-3.5%) 등 주요 반도체 종목이 일제히 약세를 보였다. 전일 국내 반도체 대형주의 급락이 글로벌 투자심리 위축과 레버리지 포지션 청산으로 이어졌다는 분석이다. 이런 상황 속 전 거래일 급락했던 반도체 대형주는 약세 흐름을 이어가고 있다. 이날 오전 8시 27분 현재 장전시장에서 삼성전자는 전 거래일 대비 3.93% 하락한 24만4500원에 거래되고 있으며 SK하이닉스는 4.50% 내린 176만2000원을 기록 중이다. SK스퀘어도 6.29% 하락한 108만8000원에 거래되고 있다. 삼성전기는 6.67% 급락하며 120만3000원을 나타내고 있다. 시장의 최대 변수는 트럼프 행정부의 대이란 압박 강화다. 도널드 트럼프 미국 대통령은 호르무즈 해협 봉쇄 재개와 함께 통항 선박에 화물의 20% 수준 비용을 부과하는 방안을 추진하겠다고 밝혔다. 이란에 대한 추가 군사 압박 가능성까지 언급하면서 국제유가는 급등했다. 연방준비제도(Fed)의 통화정책 경계감도 부담이다. 크리스토퍼 월러 연준 이사는 근원 물가가 높은 수준을 유지할 경우 금리 인상이 필요할 수 있다고 언급했고, 시장에서는 7월 연방공개시장위원회(FOMC) 금리 인상 가능성을 일부 반영하기 시작했다. 다만 국내 증시는 단기적으로 기술적 반등 가능성이 있다는 분석도 나온다. 코스피는 최근 14거래일 동안 약 19.7% 급락하며 금융위기 이후 가장 빠른 수준의 조정을 기록했다. 고점 대비 하락률도 25%를 넘어섰고, 선행 주가수익비율(PER)은 금융위기 저점 수준까지 내려온 상태다. 한지영 키움증권 연구원은 "현재 코스피는 역대급 과매도 구간에 진입했다"고 평가했다. 서상영 미래에셋증권 연구원은 "전일 급락에 따른 기술적 되돌림이 강하게 유입되며 장 초반에는 상승 출발할 것으로 예상"한다면서도 "지정학적 잡음은 지수의 추가 상승을 제한하는 요인이 될 전망"이라고 분석했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:32:00
  • Hankook Securities Lowers Hyundai Motors Target Price Amid Production Issues
    Hankook Securities Lowers Hyundai Motor's Target Price Amid Production Issues Hankook Securities announced on July 14 that Hyundai Motor has experienced a decline in production of high-margin models due to supply chain disruptions with its partners, leading to an increased burden from sales warranty provisions. As a result, the firm has lowered its target price for Hyundai from 900,000 won to 780,000 won while maintaining a 'buy' rating.Analyst Ma Geon-woo noted, "Wholesale sales, excluding China, decreased by 6.2% compared to the same period last year," adding, "Despite a favorable exchange rate environment, a decline in volume made a decrease in revenue unavoidable."He further explained that the poor sales in the first half of the year were the result of a combination of operational disruptions in the Middle East, supply chain issues with partners, and gaps in new models of key volume products. However, he expressed optimism that the losses incurred from supply disruptions could be recovered through normalization of production and additional operations.Ma also pointed out that rising raw material prices and the depreciation of the won have impacted profitability due to the burden of sales warranty provisions.Hankook Securities projects Hyundai's consolidated revenue and operating profit for the second quarter to be 47.3 trillion won and 3 trillion won, respectively, marking a 17.1% decrease in operating profit compared to the same period last year.Looking ahead to the second half of the year, a gradual recovery in performance is expected as the effects of new model launches take hold. Ma stated, "The new model effects of the Grandeur partial change (P/E) and the Avante and Tucson partial change (FMC) models, which began sales last month, are expected to be reflected sequentially."Consequently, Hankook Securities forecasts that Hyundai's consolidated revenue for the year will increase by 3.9% year-on-year to 193.6 trillion won, while operating profit is expected to rise by 3.6% to 11.9 trillion won during the same period.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:32:00
  • iM Securities Raises S-Oil Target Price Amid Strong Diesel Margins and Dividend Expectations
    iM Securities Raises S-Oil Target Price Amid Strong Diesel Margins and Dividend Expectations iM Securities announced on July 14 that it has raised its target price for S-Oil from 135,000 won to 170,000 won, reflecting strong diesel margins, cost improvements, and expectations for increased dividend payouts. The firm maintained its 'buy' rating.Analyst Jeon Yu-jin stated, "We expect a boost in dividends following the strong performance in refining margins and investments in the Shahin project. This could mark a return to the glory days of dividend payouts, which ranged from 35% to 60% between 2016 and 2018."He added, "In the second half of the year, tight finished product inventories and reduced supply from Russia are likely to sustain strong diesel margins. The decline in official selling prices (OSP) will also positively impact cost conditions."Jeon noted that the second-quarter operating profit is projected to reach 928.3 billion won, aligning with market consensus. He highlighted that the lubricants sector is expected to achieve an operating profit of 466.3 billion won due to rising base oil prices and the lagging effect of vacuum gas oil (VGO), setting new records for both revenue and operating profit.Looking ahead, he cautioned that while operating profit may decline in the second half due to oil price stabilization, strong diesel margins are expected to continue until the end of the year due to shortages in diesel inventories in the U.S. and Europe, along with restrictions on Russian diesel exports. He also predicted that Saudi Arabia's reduction in Asia's OSP will benefit S-Oil, a subsidiary of Aramco.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:32:00
  • CJ Foodville Opens New Olipfepe Location on Gangnam Boulevard
    CJ Foodville Opens New Olipfepe Location on Gangnam Boulevard CJ Foodville announced that it will open the 'Olipfepe Gangnam' on the second floor of 'The Gallery 832' on July 16.The Gangnam location spans approximately 110 pyeong (120 seats) and is designed with the concept of 'dining in the backyard,' where families and neighbors enjoy food and wine together in Italy. It features window seats with views of Gangnam Boulevard, booth seating, and private rooms to accommodate a variety of customers, from business meetings to dates and gatherings.Since late last year, Olipfepe has expanded its brand by opening locations in Gwanghwamun, Yeouido, and Pangyo. The opening of the Gangnam location is part of its strategy to target key commercial areas.At the Gangnam location, customers will be the first to try the revamped steak menu, including the Florentine-style steak, 'Bistecca alla Fiorentina.' This dish features carefully selected beef, seared and served with grilled lemon and Italian herbs to enhance wine pairing. The new menu will gradually roll out to all locations starting with Gangnam this month.Olipfepe offers a dining experience that includes an aperitivo, signature dishes, Italian wines, desserts, and espresso.To celebrate the opening, a promotion is available for customers who make reservations through Catch Table from July 8 to 15. Those who visit the restaurant between July 16 and August 17 will receive a Riedel wine glass. For the first week after opening, customers can enjoy three glasses of wine for the price of one as part of the 'Vino Festa' promotion, and from July 23 to August 31, a corkage fee waiver will be offered.A CJ Foodville representative stated, 'The Gangnam location is an extension of the brand experience built in Gwanghwamun, Yeouido, and Pangyo. We plan to respond to diverse customer demands based on authentic Italian cuisine, wine, and a unique space experience.'Olipfepe opened its first location in Gwanghwamun in December last year. The brand name combines 'Oli' from olive, symbolizing the flavors of Italian cuisine, and 'Pepe' from pepper, which adds aroma and character to food. Its brand philosophy emphasizes 'vibrant dining where delicious Italian food and natural conversation flow.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:28:00
  • Acuon Savings Bank Launches Exclusive Loan for Small Business Owners via Toss
    Acuon Savings Bank Launches Exclusive Loan for Small Business Owners via Toss Acuon Savings Bank is expanding financial support for small business owners by introducing a dedicated credit loan product through Toss.On July 14, Acuon Savings Bank announced the launch of the 'Personal Business Owner All-On Loan,' specifically designed for individual business owners.The loan offers interest rates ranging from 11.90% to 19.90%, with a maximum limit of 50 million won. The loan term is set between 12 to 36 months. Small business owners and individual entrepreneurs with at least six months of operational history can apply via the Toss app.The 'Personal Business Owner All-On Loan' features a unique alternative credit assessment model that evaluates not only the personal credit of the business owner but also the operational conditions of the business. This model integrates the existing credit evaluation framework of Acuon Savings Bank with the 'Toss SOHO Score,' co-developed with Korea Evaluation Data, enhancing the accuracy of the assessment.The evaluation of business owners utilizes Toss's MyData and customer platform usage patterns to reflect financial transaction behaviors and fund management characteristics. This approach allows for a more comprehensive assessment of the borrower's repayment capacity, which was previously difficult to gauge using traditional financial information alone.The assessment of the business environment includes a comprehensive analysis of factors such as the risk of rent increases based on market maturity, the proportion of external customers, and the stability, growth potential, and operational capacity of the market.An Acuon Savings Bank representative stated, "We hope this product will serve as a starting point for a financial ecosystem that grows alongside local markets, and we will strive to improve the funding environment for small business owners and individual entrepreneurs who are often in financial blind spots."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:24:00