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  • SK Hynix Soars 13% on Nasdaq Debut, Breaking Korea Discount
    SK Hynix Soars 13% on Nasdaq Debut, Breaking Korea Discount SK Hynix has successfully established itself on the Nasdaq market through its American Depositary Receipt (ADR) listing.On July 10, trading under the temporary ticker 'SKHYV,' SK Hynix closed at $168.49, a 13.1% increase from its offering price. At one point during the day, shares surged to $177.Converted to Korean won, this closing price is approximately 2,528,000 won per share, which is 16% higher than the previous closing price of 2,180,000 won on the Korean stock exchange.This valuation gives SK Hynix a market capitalization of about $1.2 trillion (approximately 1,650 trillion won), surpassing its U.S. competitor Micron, which has a market cap of $1.1 trillion.This performance underscores the long-standing criticism that South Korean semiconductor companies have faced chronic undervaluation in the global market due to structural limitations, often referred to as the 'Korea Discount.'The global investment community reacted sensitively to this development. Dan Coatsworth, an investment director at AJ Bell, noted, "The demand in the U.S. market was stronger than expected, suggesting that the memory semiconductor cycle has not peaked but is merely taking a breather."SK Hynix's ADR listing raised a total of $26.5 billion (approximately 40 trillion won), making it the second-largest IPO in U.S. history, following SpaceX's $85.7 billion offering last month.The company plans to focus the substantial funds raised on new facility investments and transitioning to advanced processes to enhance its competitive edge.Starting July 13, SK Hynix will officially change its ticker to 'SKHY' for regular trading.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 09:32:00
  • Minimum Wage Negotiations Continue Amid Tensions Between Labor and Business
    Minimum Wage Negotiations Continue Amid Tensions Between Labor and Business The annual struggle over minimum wage has resurfaced this summer. After nine rounds of revisions, the gap between labor and management proposals for next year's minimum wage has narrowed to 690 won, but an agreement has yet to be reached. A final review is set for July 14.Negotiation Stalemate ContinuesAccording to industry sources, the Minimum Wage Commission held its 13th plenary meeting on July 9 at the Government Sejong Center. During marathon negotiations, both sides presented their proposals through the seventh, eighth, and ninth revisions in an effort to close the gap.In the latest ninth revision, labor representatives demanded a minimum wage of 11,220 won per hour, which is 900 won (8.7%) higher than the current minimum wage of 10,320 won. This figure is 780 won lower than their initial demand of 12,000 won and 30 won lower than the previous eighth revision. Meanwhile, management raised their proposal to around 10,530 won, but the two sides could not reach a consensus. The commission ultimately decided to continue discussions at the 14th plenary meeting on July 14.While the apparent issue seems to be a simple disagreement over numbers, the atmosphere during the 13th meeting was particularly tense. Two representatives from the Small Business Association walked out in protest against the proposed minimum wage increase and the intense pressure surrounding the discussions. This incident highlights the growing frustration among small business owners, who are struggling to survive amid high inflation, rising interest rates, and prolonged sluggish domestic demand.Challenges for Small Business OwnersThe problem lies in the fact that as the minimum wage appears to be heading toward an increase, small business owners with limited financial capacity are pushed to the brink. According to a survey by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the average monthly income for small business owners was just 1.91 million won in 2024. For many owners earning less than their employees, hiring becomes a distant dream. A significant number of family-run businesses rely on family members working together to make ends meet.The Minimum Wage Commission is required to submit its findings to the Minister of Employment and Labor by mid-July, considering any objections and administrative procedures. The minister is mandated to finalize the minimum wage by August 5. However, some observers believe that with the gap narrowed to 690 won, the upcoming 14th plenary meeting may lead to a vote or a compromise proposal from the public interest committee to reach a conclusion. Nonetheless, a resolution reached through mere number adjustments may not fully address the underlying conflicts in the field.With the Small Business Association's strong demand for a differentiated application by industry already rejected, there are concerns that a uniform increase without considering the actual payment capacity of small businesses could lead to closures and job losses in vulnerable sectors.Song Chi-young, president of the Small Business Association, held a press conference on July 2 in front of the Ministry of Employment and Labor in Sejong, stating, "To revive the dwindling light of small businesses, a reasonable coexistence plan that reflects the management environment of small businesses must be developed. If an unbearable level of increase is proposed that disregards the survival rights of small businesses, it will serve as a signal that shakes the very foundation of the South Korean economy."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 09:04:00
  • Next for HBM: Power Semiconductors as AI Drives SiC and GaN Markets
    Next for HBM: Power Semiconductors as AI Drives SiC and GaN Markets The artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor market is shifting from high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to power semiconductors. As AI data centers grow to gigawatt (GW) scale, the demand for silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductors is rapidly increasing to reduce power loss. Industry analysts predict that, following memory, power semiconductors will emerge as another beneficiary industry in the AI era.According to the semiconductor industry on July 10, the expansion of investments in AI data centers by global tech giants is accelerating the growth of the power semiconductor market. AI servers are equipped with thousands of GPUs, requiring several times more power than traditional servers. To ensure stable power supply while minimizing losses, the adoption of high-efficiency power semiconductors is essential.SiC and GaN are particularly efficient in high-voltage and high-temperature environments compared to traditional silicon (Si) power semiconductors, generating less heat. Their application is expanding in data center power supply units (PSUs), power conversion devices, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and cooling systems, positioning them to directly benefit from increased investment in AI infrastructure.Market research firms forecast that the global power semiconductor market will continue to grow at double-digit rates in the coming years due to the proliferation of AI data centers. While electric vehicles have driven the SiC market thus far, AI data centers are expected to become a new growth axis.Domestic companies are also accelerating their responses. DB HiTek is pushing to establish an 8-inch SiC process and expand its power semiconductor business. LX Semicon is preparing to enter the automotive and industrial power semiconductor markets, moving beyond display driver chips. YesTech is also expected to benefit as it expands its thermal processing equipment and semiconductor equipment business necessary for power semiconductor manufacturing.The semiconductor equipment industry believes that the expansion of AI investment will not be limited to memory. If production line expansions for power semiconductors and new fab investments occur, there is a strong possibility that the equipment and materials market will also grow.Industry insiders anticipate that future AI competitiveness will extend beyond GPU performance to include power efficiency. The more power GPUs consume, the more crucial it becomes to convert and supply that power efficiently, which will impact data center operating costs. Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, has recently emphasized the importance of power infrastructure alongside computing in the era of AI factories.An industry official stated, "In the early stages of AI investment, securing GPUs and HBM was key, but moving forward, power efficiency will be a determining factor in data center competitiveness. SiC and GaN power semiconductors are likely to emerge as new core components of the AI ecosystem."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 09:04:00
  • NOL Leisure Platform Introduces Personalized Travel Feed
    NOL Leisure Platform Introduces Personalized Travel Feed Consumers are expected to shift away from the traditional method of searching for travel destinations and booking accommodations or activities. A new service allows users to open the app without specific plans and receive personalized travel recommendations and activities, similar to social media feeds.NOL Universe announced on July 10 the beta version of its 'Discovery' service, which offers daily personalized content on its leisure platform NOL.◆ Exploring feeds instead of searching for destinationsThe most significant feature of this service is the elimination of the search process. Instead of requiring users to input a specific destination or product name, the app now continuously displays trending content in a feed format at the top of the main screen.Users can scroll through the screen like they would on social media, discovering popular travel spots, accommodations, and unique experiences, allowing them to make reservations immediately. The aim is to naturally draw out potential preferences that users may not have been aware of.NOL aims to establish itself as a daily-use platform for weekend outings and everyday leisure, rather than just an app used temporarily during vacation seasons or special occasions.◆ AI agent analyzes trends and matches productsThe new service environment operates based on AI agent technology independently developed by NOL Universe. The AI analyzes leisure trends spreading across external social media, as well as internal search volumes, booking rates, and user reviews in real-time.Once data collection is complete, the AI automatically handles the entire process of securing images needed for the recommendation feed, matching related products, and writing descriptive text. This structure is further enhanced by incorporating individual users' service usage history to complete personalized leisure recommendations.Yoon Hyun-mo, Chief Product Officer of NOL Universe, stated, “This is the first step toward becoming a platform that not only finds products users want but also suggests enjoyable experiences they may not have realized they wanted. We will refine the combination of technology and data to enhance user convenience.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 09:04:00
  • SK hynix ADRs jump 13% in Nasdaq debut as CEO vows AI leadership
    SK hynix ADRs jump 13% in Nasdaq debut as CEO vows AI leadership SEOUL, July 11 (AJP) - SK hynix made a strong debut on the Nasdaq on Thursday, with its American depositary receipts closing more than 13 percent above their offering price on the first day of trading. The South Korean chipmaker’s ADRs opened at $170 on the Nasdaq, after being priced at $149. They rose as high as $177 during intraday trading before giving back some gains to close at $168.49, up about 13.1 percent from the offering price. The offering price reflected a roughly 2.7 percent premium to SK hynix’s three-day average share price in the Korean market. Based on the closing ADR price and the exchange rate, the stock would translate into about 2.53 million won ($1,683) per Korean share, around 16 percent higher than SK hynix’s closing price of 2.18 million won on the Korea Exchange the previous day. A simple calculation based on the closing ADR price would put SK hynix’s market capitalization at about $1.2 trillion, surpassing U.S. rival Micron Technology’s roughly $1.1 trillion valuation. SK hynix offered a total of 177.9 million ADR shares, raising $26.51 billion. The amount marks the second-largest U.S. market offering after SpaceX’s $85.7 billion listing. The company plans to use the proceeds for new facility investments and other growth initiatives as demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) continues to surge amid the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. The debut was marked by an opening bell ceremony at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, New York, on Friday morning. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, SK Group Senior Vice Chairman Chey Jae-won and SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung attended the ceremony, along with other senior executives. Chey and Kwak rang the opening bell as SK hynix officially began trading on the U.S. market. Large screens around Times Square displayed messages celebrating SK hynix’s Nasdaq listing, including “Welcome to Nasdaq,” the company’s ADR ticker and “Nasdaq Listed,” underscoring the symbolic nature of the company’s entry into the center of U.S. capital markets. Bob McCooey, vice chairman of Nasdaq, welcomed SK hynix to the exchange and described the listing as a meaningful milestone not only for the company but also for South Korea and Asian capital markets. “SK hynix begins a new journey in the global market as an AI technology leader,” Kwak said in a commemorative speech. Kwak reflected on the company’s recovery from a near-bankruptcy crisis 25 years ago and its transformation after joining SK Group in 2012. He said the company identified the need for HBM at a time when the future of advanced memory remained uncertain and became the first in the world to commercialize the technology. “HBM now stands at the center of the AI revolution,” he said. Kwak said the Nasdaq listing carries three major meanings for SK hynix: closer ties with the AI ecosystem in the United States, easier access for global investors and a stronger commitment to contributing to the industry. The ADR offering is expected to be settled on July 14, U.S. time. The newly issued common shares underlying the ADRs are scheduled to be listed on the Korea Exchange on July 29. “AI will be everywhere, and SK hynix will be wherever AI exists,” he said. 2026-07-11 08:49:34
  • KOSPI Plummets Below 110 Trillion Won as Investor Confidence Wanes
    KOSPI Plummets Below 110 Trillion Won as Investor Confidence Wanes As the KOSPI index faced significant fluctuations, it dropped below 110 trillion won in investor deposit funds for the first time in five months. This decline suggests that retail investors, who had been supporting the index amid heavy foreign selling, are running out of capital.According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, as of July 9, the total investor deposit funds stood at 107.1279 trillion won. This marks a decrease for eight consecutive trading days since reaching 132.4697 trillion won on June 29, the lowest level since February 20.After hitting a record high of 9,114.55 on June 22, the KOSPI plummeted to 7,063.76 during trading, prompting retail investors to inject funds for bargain buying or withdraw money from the market.In July, foreign investors sold a net 12.3246 trillion won in the stock market, while retail investors bought a net 9.3669 trillion won, helping to support the index's lower levels.However, retail investors have shifted to selling for three consecutive days since July 8, indicating that their buying power may have reached its limit.Kim Yong-gu, a researcher at Yuanta Securities, stated, "While retail investors are supporting the market, considering the Bank of Korea's interest rate hikes, government loan regulations, and the decline in deposit funds, their capacity for unlimited net buying cannot be sustained."Meanwhile, the balance of margin trading, which allows investors to borrow money from brokerages for stock purchases, has also decreased to 36.6336 trillion won, reflecting a decline in investor sentiment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 08:32:00
  • KB Financial Group Leads Over Shinhan in Non-Bank Sector Competition
    KB Financial Group Leads Over Shinhan in Non-Bank Sector Competition 4 major financial groups are expected to report record earnings for the first half of the year, drawing attention to the competition between KB Financial Group and Shinhan Financial Group for the title of 'leading financial group.' While KB Financial is anticipated to maintain its lead, Shinhan is also showing strong performance, continuing to close the gap. With financial authorities tightening household loan management, the competitiveness of the non-bank sector has emerged as a key variable in this competition. According to financial information provider FnGuide on July 11, the projected cumulative net profits for KB Financial and Shinhan Financial in the first half of the year are 3.7698 trillion won and 3.3070 trillion won, respectively. Both financial groups are likely to achieve their highest-ever earnings for the first half, but analysts suggest that KB Financial is more likely to retain its leading position. The difference in first-half performance between the two groups is attributed to the non-bank sector. KB Financial's net profit for the first quarter was 1.8924 trillion won, surpassing Shinhan Financial's 1.6226 trillion won by 269.8 billion won. Non-bank operations accounted for 43% of KB Financial's total net profit, while Shinhan Financial's non-bank share remained at 32%. The profitability of non-bank affiliates has thus contributed to the performance gap between the two groups. As a result, industry experts believe that the non-bank sector will continue to be a crucial factor in the competition for leading financial status in the second half of the year. With the government's strengthened household debt management and the potential slowdown in interest income growth due to falling benchmark rates, the contributions of non-bank affiliates in asset management, investment banking, securities, credit cards, and insurance are expected to become increasingly important. Both companies are accelerating efforts to enhance their competitiveness in the non-bank sector as a key driver for performance improvement. While banks face limitations in differentiating their performance due to loan and capital regulations and interest rate fluctuations, non-bank sectors have a higher likelihood of maintaining market share and profitability over the long term if they secure competitiveness, making them a critical business area influencing overall group performance. KB Financial is focusing on strengthening its securities competitiveness. On June 26, KB Financial's board approved a capital increase of 1 trillion won, following a 700 billion won increase in February, bringing the total capital raised to 1.7 trillion won. This will elevate KB Financial's equity capital to the 80 trillion won range. The funds will be used to establish a foundation for its integrated investment account (IMA) business, enhance corporate finance competitiveness, and expand its issuance of commercial paper. Shinhan Financial is emphasizing the expansion of synergies among its affiliates. The recently revamped 'Shinhan Super SOL' aims to connect bank and credit card customers with non-bank services such as securities and insurance, broadening the overall revenue base of the group. Analysts suggest that Shinhan Financial's consideration of acquiring Lotte Insurance is also part of its strategy to strengthen non-bank competitiveness and narrow the performance gap with KB Financial. A financial industry official stated, "Due to regulations and interest rate environments, banks are increasingly facing similar revenue structures, making it difficult to achieve significant differentiation. The competitiveness of non-bank portfolios is likely to continue widening the gap between financial groups." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 08:04:00
  • Weekend Heatwave Expected with Temperatures Reaching 36 Degrees
    Weekend Heatwave Expected with Temperatures Reaching 36 Degrees As the weekend begins, much of the country is experiencing a heatwave, with some areas expected to see sudden showers due to atmospheric instability.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the feels-like temperature will rise to around 33 degrees Celsius in most regions, creating very hot conditions. Tropical nights, where temperatures remain above 25 degrees overnight, are also anticipated in urban and coastal areas. The forecast for daytime highs ranges from 29 to 36 degrees Celsius.As of 5 a.m., temperatures in major cities across the country were as follows: Seoul 25 degrees, Incheon 25 degrees, Suwon 23.8 degrees, Chuncheon 23.6 degrees, Gangneung 28.4 degrees, Cheongju 24.3 degrees, Daejeon 23.2 degrees, Jeonju 24.8 degrees, Gwangju 24.8 degrees, Jeju 28.5 degrees, Daegu 23.8 degrees, Busan 25.1 degrees, Ulsan 23.0 degrees, and Changwon 23.8 degrees.From early morning, most regions are experiencing muggy temperatures around 25 degrees.In addition to the heat, sudden rain is also in the forecast. Between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., light rain of less than 0.1 mm is expected in northern Gyeonggi and northern Gangwon, while rain is anticipated to begin in Jeju from midday.In the afternoon, due to atmospheric instability, showers are expected in Daejeon, Sejong, eastern Chungcheong, southern Chungbuk, northeastern Jeonbuk, and eastern Gyeonggi. The expected rainfall amounts are 5 to 30 mm in the Chungcheong region and eastern Jeonbuk, and 5 to 20 mm in eastern Gyeonggi.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 07:56:00
  • KOSPI Struggles Below 8000 Amid U.S. Inflation and ASML Earnings
    KOSPI Struggles Below 8000 Amid U.S. Inflation and ASML Earnings The domestic stock market has experienced significant fluctuations throughout the week, failing to recover the 8000-point mark. Following the preliminary earnings announcement from Samsung Electronics, concerns over semiconductor peak valuations and profit-taking have sharply dampened investor sentiment. Analysts view this adjustment as a correction of excessive expectations rather than a deterioration in fundamentals, but they anticipate continued volatility as the market assesses earnings and inflation indicators.On July 10, the KOSPI closed at 7475.94, up 184.03 points (2.52%) from the previous trading day, while the KOSDAQ rose 43.43 points (5.47%) to finish at 837.43. Over the week from July 6 to 10, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ fell by 7.57% and 3.57%, respectively. The KOSPI has struggled to regain the 8000-point level for four consecutive trading days since July 7, dipping below 7000 at one point on July 9.Last week, the domestic market faced significant selling pressure, particularly in the semiconductor sector, following Samsung Electronics' announcement of record second-quarter preliminary results. The company reported sales of 171 trillion won and an operating profit of 89.4 trillion won. However, the market's expectations had been set higher, with some anticipating operating profits around 100 trillion won, leading to a perception that the results fell short.Additionally, concerns about peak memory market conditions, a slowdown in AI capital expenditures, and volatility from single-stock leveraged products contributed to the sell-off. Heightened military tensions between the U.S. and Iran, rising international oil prices, and foreign net selling further exacerbated the decline in investor sentiment.However, some analysts suggest that this correction is more about adjusting expectations than a fundamental deterioration. Earnings forecasts for both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ are still being revised upward, and there are ongoing improvements in semiconductor performance. Notably, the scale of foreign net selling in semiconductors has decreased, and there is a positive influx of bargain buying in undervalued segments.Looking ahead, key domestic and international economic indicators and corporate earnings are expected to shape market direction. On July 14, the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for June and the Federal Reserve's semiannual congressional report are scheduled for release, followed by the Producer Price Index (PPI) and ASML's earnings on July 15. The Bank of Korea's Monetary Policy Committee and TSMC's earnings announcement are set for July 16, which will likely influence market assessments of semiconductor conditions and monetary policy.Analysts believe that the upcoming U.S. inflation data will significantly impact short-term market direction. Bloomberg's consensus predicts that the June CPI will show a year-over-year increase of 3.9%, with core CPI at 2.9%. If inflation is confirmed to be lower than market expectations, it could alleviate concerns about Federal Reserve tightening, positively affecting the stock market. Conversely, if results exceed expectations, fears of interest rate hikes may resurface, increasing market volatility.Lee Jae-won, a researcher at Yuanta Securities, noted, "Despite this correction, the consensus for KOSPI net profit has been revised upward by 24.2 trillion won compared to the previous week, with upward revisions concentrated in IT, semiconductors, and IT hardware. Currently, there is no justification for a sharp decline in earnings per share (EPS), so both supply and demand still point towards IT and semiconductors."Na Jeong-hwan, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities, added, "This correction is more reflective of anticipated earnings growth rates and concerns over a slowdown in AI capital expenditures rather than a fundamental deterioration. Stock prices are likely to fluctuate within a range before attempting to rise, and for a sustained rebound, we need to see continued AI demand and expanded CAPEX from big tech companies in upcoming earnings and guidance." He also cautioned that short-term price volatility unrelated to fundamentals may persist, suggesting a focus on sectors supported by solid earnings.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 07:20:00
  • SK Hynix Closes at $168 on Nasdaq Debut, 350,000 Won Higher than Korea
    SK Hynix Closes at $168 on Nasdaq Debut, 350,000 Won Higher than Korea SK Hynix saw its stock price surge over 13% on its first day of trading on the Nasdaq on July 10 (local time). The company opened at $170 and briefly climbed to $177, reflecting strong investor demand. It ultimately closed at $168.49.This closing price is approximately 13.1% higher than the American Depositary Receipt (ADR) offering price, which was set at a premium of about 2.7% based on the average stock price over the last three trading days on the Korean exchange.One ADR represents 10 shares of the company's common stock, meaning the value of one ADR is equivalent to 0.1 shares of common stock.When converted to Korean won at the current exchange rate, the ADR closing price translates to about 2,528,000 won per share, which is roughly 16% higher than the previous day's closing price of 2,180,000 won on the Korean exchange.Dan Coatsworth, an investment manager at AJ Bell, told Reuters, "Demand in the U.S. was stronger than some markets had anticipated, suggesting that the rise in memory semiconductors has not peaked but is in a consolidation phase."SK Hynix's ADR listing is valued at $26.5 billion (approximately 40 trillion won), making it the second-largest in the U.S. market after SpaceX's record $85.7 billion last month.The company plans to use the funds raised from its successful Nasdaq listing for new equipment investments.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 06:56:00