Latest by
-
SK Hynix CEO Warns of Memory Shortage Until 2030, Plans Global Expansion As the global memory market faces a prolonged shortage, SK Hynix is embarking on a strategy to diversify its production bases internationally.In an interview in the U.S. on July 10, Kwak No-jeong, CEO of SK Hynix, warned that "the semiconductor manufacturing capacity is unable to keep pace with the surging global demand," and predicted that the industry could face an unprecedented memory supply shortage next year. He noted that this trend is likely to persist beyond 2030.To address the long-term demand advantage in the market, SK Hynix is considering building new fabs in Asia and North America. Kwak stated that various regions, including the U.S., Japan, and Southeast Asia, could be strong candidates for investment if they offer suitable location conditions, stable power and water infrastructure, skilled labor, and competitive pricing.Currently, SK Hynix is carefully evaluating the business value and benefits of each region.In South Korea, SK Hynix is focusing on developing large-scale semiconductor clusters in Icheon and Cheongju, while also accelerating its overseas investments. The company is constructing advanced packaging lines for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) in Indiana and is investing heavily in partnerships in the local artificial intelligence (AI) solutions sector.The funding for these aggressive investments has been secured through a successful listing of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) on the Nasdaq, which raised approximately $26.5 billion (about 40 trillion won). This capital will be primarily directed toward the introduction of next-generation advanced processes and the enhancement of key production infrastructure both domestically and internationally.On its first day of trading, SK Hynix's ADR closed at around $168, a 13% increase from the initial offering price of $149, reflecting strong expectations from global investors.Industry analysts and global financial institutions, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and UBS, have indicated that the memory supply shortage is unlikely to be resolved in the short term, predicting that the demand for DRAM will continue to be strained in the coming years due to the AI boom.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 08:52:00 -
Sangsangin Securities Raises InBody Target Price by 74.4% Amid GLP-1 Market Growth Sangsangin Securities projected on July 13 that InBody's performance will improve significantly, driven by the expansion of the global obesity treatment market (GLP-1) and growth in overseas sales. The firm raised its target price from 43,000 won to 75,000 won, an increase of 74.4%, while maintaining a 'buy' rating.Ha Tae-ki, a researcher at Sangsangin Securities, assessed that the spread of GLP-1-based obesity treatments will serve as a long-term growth driver for InBody. As demand for managing muscle mass and body fat changes during treatment increases, the use of body composition analyzers is expected to expand beyond hospitals and health check-up centers into the fitness and sports sectors.InBody primarily sells body composition analyzers, along with blood pressure monitors and software, and is heavily export-oriented, with an export ratio of 86.7% as of the first quarter of this year. Last year, the company faced stagnant profitability due to increased selling and administrative expenses from establishing overseas subsidiaries and hiring more staff to expand direct sales. However, analysts believe that the operational leverage effect from growth in sales will begin to materialize this year.For the second quarter, consolidated revenue is estimated to reach 69.5 billion won, a 23.7% increase from the same period last year, while operating profit is projected to rise by 26.3% to 13.1 billion won. Notably, exports of body composition analyzers, which account for 70.9% of revenue, are expected to increase by 30.0% to 46.1 billion won. Sales of high-priced products in the U.S. and Europe are anticipated to grow by 20-30%, while the Latin American market, including Mexico, is expected to see a 60-70% increase. The consumer segment, which includes home body composition analyzers, is also projected to grow by 60% to 6.3 billion won.Ha noted that recent purchases of InBody products for clinical trials by major pharmaceutical companies indicate market changes. He also highlighted that the penetration rate in overseas markets, particularly in the U.S., remains low, suggesting significant growth potential. Sales are increasing evenly across the U.S., Europe, Mexico, Asia, China, and Japan.Profitability improvements are also expected. The burden of increased selling and administrative expenses from transitioning to direct overseas sales is easing due to rising sales, and the expansion of high-priced product sales along with favorable exchange rates is contributing to an increase in operating profit margins.Ha stated, "We expect sustained annual growth in the mid-to-high teens. Considering its advantages as a stable growth company less affected by economic fluctuations, the current stock price remains significantly undervalued compared to its fundamentals." He added that while there may be a sharp rise in stock prices in the first half of 2026 followed by a short-term correction, the stock is likely to rise further as strong performance growth and improvements are confirmed during the second half earnings season.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 08:48:00
-
Shinhan Securities Raises GS Construction Target Price on AI Data Center Growth Shinhan Investment Corp. evaluated on July 13 that GS Construction has secured new growth momentum through its investment in AI data centers under the GS Group. As a result, the firm raised its target price for GS Construction from 37,000 won to 46,000 won while maintaining a 'buy' rating.Kim Sun-mi, a researcher at Shinhan Investment Corp., stated, "The new business sector has been dispersed across various fields, leading to weak growth momentum. However, the decision to invest in AI data centers has transformed this into a strong momentum for growth." She added, "The goal for data center operations is likely to begin with orders and construction starting next year, with significant performance increases expected from 2027."For the second quarter, Shinhan Investment Corp. projected that GS Construction's performance would slightly fall short of market expectations, estimating consolidated sales and operating profit at 2.7 trillion won and 115.1 billion won, respectively.Kim noted, "The slowdown in housing sales due to a recent decrease in new sales, reduced settlement profits, and increased bidding costs for urban redevelopment projects will impact performance."However, she anticipates an improvement in performance starting in the second half of the year, supported by the new sales of 11,000 housing units in the first half, the resumption of sales by Xi S&D, and the expansion of data center construction by Xi C&A, along with profitability improvements.In particular, the Donghae AI data center project was highlighted as a key momentum. Kim emphasized, "Considering the operational goals for the data center, it is necessary to commence the project within this year. The Donghae AI data center is a large-scale project with an order size of about 10 trillion won, and its short construction period will significantly contribute to short-term performance."She added, "If the Donghae AI data center project materializes in the third quarter, it could lead to upward revisions of performance estimates."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 08:48:00
-
Korea Trade Association Publishes First 'India 2026 Statistical Yearbook' to Support Export and Investment Strategies The Korea Trade Association has published its first statistical yearbook, compiling key economic, industrial, and social indicators for domestic companies looking to enter the Indian market. This initiative comes as economic cooperation between South Korea and India expands, providing a foundation for companies to analyze the local market more systematically.On July 13, the Korea Trade Association's New Delhi office announced the release of the yearbook titled 'India 2026: Economic, Industrial, and Social Indicators.'The yearbook organizes major indicators in areas such as economy, trade, prices, energy, logistics, labor, and education, along with year-on-year trends. It also includes economic and social indicators for 28 states and 8 union territories, allowing for comparative analysis of regional market characteristics and investment conditions.India, with a population of 1.48 billion, is the world's largest market and ranks as the sixth-largest economy by nominal GDP. Over the past five years, it has recorded an average economic growth rate of 7.2%, emerging as a key growth market representing the Global South. The launch of the Korea-India Industrial Cooperation Committee in April and the establishment of the Korea-India Exchange Committee by the Trade Association further highlight the expanding economic collaboration between the two countries.However, the statistical reporting in India is fragmented among the central government, state governments, union territories, and international organizations, making it challenging to compare and analyze data. The Trade Association explained that this yearbook aims to address these limitations by systematizing key statistics into a single volume, enabling companies to immediately utilize the information for export and investment strategy development.In the trade sector, there is a growing demand for data-driven analysis of the Indian market, particularly as supply chain diversification and the 'China Plus One' strategy gain traction.The Trade Association plans to publish updated editions of the yearbook annually, reflecting the latest statistics. Yoon Yong, head of the Trade Association's New Delhi office, expressed hope that the yearbook will assist South Korean companies in objectively analyzing the Indian market and refining their export and investment strategies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 08:44:00
-
Oil Prices Surge Amid Renewed U.S.-Iran Tensions; KOSPI Faces Investor Caution New York stock markets closed higher following SK Hynix's debut on Nasdaq and optimism surrounding AI semiconductors. However, renewed military tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the weekend have heightened anxiety in global financial markets. With international oil prices soaring, a strong dollar, and rising U.S. Treasury yields, domestic markets are expected to focus on potential bottom-fishing after a semiconductor slump and the evolving Middle East risks. According to the financial investment industry on July 10 (local time), the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 149.60 points (0.29%) to close at 52,637.01. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also saw increases of 0.42% and 0.29%, respectively. Notably, SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which began trading on July 10, opened at $170, above the offering price of $149, and finished at $168.49, marking a 13.08% increase. Nvidia rose 4.03% amid expectations for AI semiconductor demand, while Meta surged 5.97% due to positive feedback on its new AI models and expectations for its own AI semiconductor development. However, the resurgence of military conflict between the U.S. and Iran has raised concerns about investor sentiment. While there were initial hopes for dialogue between the two nations, Iran's attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent U.S. airstrikes have increased geopolitical uncertainty. As a result, the dollar is currently strong, and international oil prices have surged nearly 4%. In after-hours trading, both the Nasdaq 100 and Germany's DAX index showed weakness, while Japan's Nikkei index is also under pressure. The domestic market's rebound is crucial following a sharp decline last week driven by profit-taking in the semiconductor sector. The KOSPI fell 7.6% on a weekly basis and 14.67% monthly, reflecting a significant underperformance compared to global markets. Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, stated, "The recent drop in the KOSPI is more influenced by supply and demand shocks due to weakened expectations for the AI industry, valuation adjustments, and leveraged liquidations rather than fundamental damage. The forward EPS has actually improved, and the current 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio (PER) stands at 6.36, which is historically low." He added, "Whether the KOSPI can break through and stabilize above the 8,200 level will determine its short-term direction. If it recovers above 8,200, there is a possibility of a rapid rebound into the 10,000 range, but failure to stabilize could lead to a drop below 7,000." Market participants are closely watching the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for June and the second-quarter earnings forecasts of major domestic companies, which are expected to influence market direction. In particular, if uncertainties surrounding the AI sector ease ahead of earnings reports from semiconductor companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, there may be potential for a rebound in oversold stocks. In pre-market trading, major domestic stocks showed mixed trends. As of 8:31 a.m., SK Hynix was trading at 2,144,000 won, down 1.65% despite its Nasdaq ADR debut. SK Square also fell by 1.92%. In contrast, LG Energy Solution rose by 1.53%, while KB Financial (1.30%), Kia (0.54%), and Hyundai Motor (0.44%) showed strength. Samsung Electronics remained stable at 285,000 won, unchanged from the previous day.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 08:40:00
-
Autonomous A2Z Unveils Level 4 Robo-Shuttle in Singapore Autonomous A2Z has unveiled its first Level 4 robo-shuttle in Singapore. The company announced on July 13 that it showcased the Level 4 unmanned autonomous shuttle, named ROii, along with remote control driving technology at the recent NCS AI Impact 2026 forum in Singapore. This marks the first time ROii has been revealed in the local market. NCS AI Impact 2026 is an annual AI and tech forum hosted by NCS, a company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) technology services. This year's theme focused on the limitless expansion of AI, highlighting the exponential advancements that occur when AI technology moves beyond experimental and pilot phases into real-world industries and daily operations. A2Z's ROii is a physical AI-based mobility solution that combines a driverless vehicle with autonomous driving technology and operational systems. The company plans to operate the autonomous shuttle for NCS employees in the near future. Additionally, a demonstration of AI-based Level 4 remote control driving was conducted on-site. Staff in a remote driving cockpit set up in Singapore operated the pedals and steering wheel, controlling a modified Sonata vehicle at the autonomous driving test site 'K-City' in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Han Ji-hyung, CEO of A2Z, stated, "Level 4 unmanned autonomous driving technology has sufficiently surpassed the simulation and experimental stages for real-world deployment. We aim to lead the physical AI mobility service market globally, including in Singapore." Meanwhile, A2Z has surpassed a cumulative autonomous driving distance of 1 million kilometers this year. The company is also expanding its overseas testing through the establishment of a joint venture, A2G, and obtaining a local autonomous driving license, M1.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 08:40:00
-
Video Leak of Galaxy Z Fold 8 Sparks Excitement Recent leaks of what is believed to be Samsung Electronics' next-generation foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, have captured significant attention.On July 12, various online communities and social media platforms saw the spread of a video that appears to have been leaked from China, showcasing the Samsung smartphone.The released video features the device being unfolded and displayed from various angles. Notably, it highlights a significant reduction in the visible crease at the center of the display, which has been a major drawback in previous models.In earlier iterations of the Fold series, the central crease was quite prominent when the screen was opened. However, the leaked footage suggests that this crease has been notably diminished compared to previous generations, generating considerable buzz.Some tech media outlets speculate that Samsung may have implemented a new hinge structure and display design to enhance durability and improve screen quality. However, it remains unverified whether the video depicts an actual production model of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, as it is not an official release from Samsung. There is also the possibility that it is a prototype, so the exact specifications will likely be confirmed through Samsung's official announcement.Viewers of the video have reacted positively, with comments such as, "Finally, the crease is gone," "Isn't this the solution to the biggest flaw of the Fold?" and "The performance keeps improving. I'm really looking forward to this Galaxy Unpacked event." Some users expressed that if the actual product looks like this, it would be worth upgrading.This excitement naturally leads to anticipation for the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Flip 8, and new Galaxy Watch products during this event. As competition in the foldable market intensifies, the key point of interest will be how much Samsung has improved the quality of its new products.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 08:36:00
-
LS Electric Partners with Infineon to Develop DC Power Solutions LS Electric is collaborating with German power semiconductor company Infineon Technologies to jointly develop direct current (DC) power solutions for AI data centers and future power grids.On July 10, LS Electric announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Infineon at its R&D campus in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, to cooperate on the development of AI data center and DC power technologies.Through this agreement, the two companies will work together to develop next-generation DC power solutions based on power semiconductor technology, including power conversion devices for energy storage systems (ESS), semiconductor transformers, and semiconductor circuit breakers. The goal is to establish a high-efficiency power infrastructure that can respond to the expansion of AI data centers and renewable energy.DC power systems are gaining attention as a key technology for AI data centers, as they reduce energy loss and increase power efficiency by minimizing power conversion steps. LS Electric will handle system design and integration, while Infineon will focus on power semiconductors and power control technologies.Industry experts anticipate that the expansion of AI data centers will lead to increased global collaboration surrounding power semiconductors and DC distribution technologies.Through this partnership, LS Electric aims to enhance its competitiveness in core solutions for next-generation DC power infrastructure and accelerate its entry into the global AI data center and future power markets.“The importance of high-efficiency DC power technology is greater than ever due to the expansion of AI data centers and next-generation power grids,” said Ahn Gil-young, Executive Vice President of Production and R&D at LS Electric. “By collaborating with Infineon, which possesses world-class power semiconductor technology, we will strengthen our competitiveness in core solutions for next-generation DC power infrastructure and strive to become a total solution provider leading the global AI data center and future power market.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 08:36:00
-
'Hope' Surpasses 60% Pre-Sale Rate Three Days Before Release Na Hong-jin's new film 'Hope' has surpassed a 60% pre-sale rate ahead of its release.According to the integrated ticketing system on July 12, 'Hope' achieved a pre-sale rate of over 60% three days before its release, with pre-sale tickets exceeding 350,000.The film has quickly become the top pre-seller among this year's releases, setting a record for the highest pre-sale volume, generating significant interest even before its debut. Despite the upcoming releases of several foreign films, 'Hope' has maintained its pre-sale advantage and is emerging as a highly anticipated title for the summer box office.'Hope' tells the story of Bumsuk, the head of a local office in the Demilitarized Zone, who faces an extraordinary situation when he hears reports of a tiger sighting from local youths, leading to a state of emergency in the village.This marks Na Hong-jin's return after a decade since 'The Wailing' and has garnered attention as an official selection in the competition section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival. The cast includes Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, as well as Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton.As 'Hope' sets pre-sale records, it will be interesting to see if it can demonstrate the box office power of Korean cinema this summer.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 08:36:00
-
Bitcoin Stabilizes Around $63,000 After Recovery Bitcoin has stabilized around the $63,000 mark after recovering from a recent dip.As of 8 a.m. on July 13, Bitcoin was trading at $63,867, down 0.45% from the previous day, according to global cryptocurrency market site CoinMarketCap.The cryptocurrency fell to around $62,000 on July 9 amid rising concerns over military conflict between the U.S. and Iran but has since regained some ground, hovering around $63,000.Market analysts suggest that the passage of the CLARITY Act, which aims to clarify regulatory authority over cryptocurrencies in the U.S., could improve investor sentiment in the medium to long term. The legislation seeks to establish a clearer regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency sector.Industry experts expect that if the bill is passed, it will alleviate costs related to licensing and regulatory uncertainties, as well as reduce litigation burdens. The CLARITY Act is anticipated to be discussed and voted on before the Senate recess on August 7.Major altcoins also experienced declines. Ethereum fell 0.41% to $1,804.55, Binance Coin (BNB) dropped 1.14% to $573.39, and Solana (SOL) decreased by 1.68% to $76.58. Ripple (XRP) was trading at $1.08, down 2.29%.Meanwhile, as of 8 a.m., Bitcoin was trading at approximately 95,716,256 won ($63,725) on the domestic exchange Bithumb, reflecting a 0.48% decrease from the previous day. The 'Kimchi Premium' was reported at -0.490%, indicating that Bitcoin prices in South Korea are lower than those overseas.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 08:32:00