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Convenience Stores Offer Festive Dishes for Chuseok As Chuseok approaches, convenience stores are launching a variety of ready-to-eat meals featuring traditional holiday dishes such as jeon, japchae, and bulgogi. With more consumers opting to purchase meals rather than prepare them at home, the product range has expanded beyond lunch boxes to include kimbap, onigiri, songpyeon, and yakgwa. According to the convenience store industry on September 8, GS25, CU, Seven Eleven, and Emart24 are set to release new holiday meal products this month. CU will introduce the 'Bountiful Chuseok Feast Lunch Box' on the 15th, which includes soy sauce bulgogi, japchae, omisandeok, kimchi pancakes, seafood chive pancakes, and three types of namul. They will also offer individual items like japchae and pancakes, as well as a small pack of 'sesame songpyeon' with eight pieces. Demand for holiday ready-to-eat meals has been steadily increasing. CU's sales of lunch boxes during the three-day Chuseok holiday rose by 18.5% in 2023, 20.8% in 2024, and 12.2% last year compared to the previous year. Last year's holiday lunch box sales saw 60.5% coming from areas densely populated with single-person households, such as university districts and studio apartments. GS25 will launch 'Chuseok Japchae & Jeon' and kimbap filled with bulgogi and namul on the 15th, followed by onigiri topped with gondre namul and grilled meat on the 22nd. This marks an expansion from just lunch boxes to include kimbap and onigiri. Earlier, on September 1, GS25 released the 'Chuseok Special Lunch Box,' which features black rice, Jeonju bibimbap, and rapeseed namul, along with japchae, tteokgalbi, jeon, and songpyeon. Seven Eleven has broadened its holiday product lineup from lunch boxes to include kimbap and musubi. Their 'Lucky Filled Tteokgalbi Kimbap' and 'Lucky Filled Meat Sanjeok Musubi' utilize their proprietary 'Rice Project' technology to maintain moisture and stickiness even when refrigerated. On the 15th, they will launch the 'Lucky Filled Feast Lunch Box,' which contains 11 side dishes, including beef bulgogi, assorted jeon, and smoked duck. According to Seven Eleven, sales of holiday-themed ready-to-eat meals in October last year, which included Chuseok, increased by 23% for triangle kimbap and 15% for lunch boxes compared to September of the previous year. Emart24 will introduce the 'Chuseok Full Moon Feast' on the 16th, which offers a complete meal from main dishes to dessert. It includes black rice, pork bulgogi, three types of jeon, japchae, three-color namul, and mini sweet rice yakgwa, totaling ten menu items. Last year's Chuseok lunch box, 'Chuseok Holiday Big.Zip,' ranked second in sales for Emart24 lunch boxes within ten days of its release. The expansion of holiday products by convenience stores is attributed to the rise in single- and two-person households, along with a shift towards purchasing only what is needed for holiday meals. Notably, this year features a trend towards offering all traditional holiday foods in one lunch box, along with smaller packs of songpyeon and yakgwa, as well as kimbap and onigiri for more options. An industry insider stated, "There is a growing demand for consumers to conveniently purchase only the necessary items from nearby convenience stores rather than preparing food themselves during the holidays. The market for holiday ready-to-eat meals is continuing to expand from lunch boxes to individual items and desserts, especially among single-person households." 2026-09-08 08:28:00 -
Market Preview: U.S. Holiday and Mixed European Markets Amid Semiconductor Profit-Taking U.S. markets were closed for Labor Day, while European stocks showed mixed results amid anticipation of the European Central Bank (ECB) monetary policy meeting, rising international oil prices, and concerns over increasing government bond yields in major countries. The domestic market is expected to see profit-taking in semiconductor stocks, which surged the previous day.On September 8, financial investment industry sources reported that the German DAX and the UK FTSE 100 indices fell by 0.15% and 0.08%, respectively, while the French CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices rose by 0.33% and 0.17%. European semiconductor stocks, including Infineon (up 6.91%) and ASML (up 2.25%), showed strength.International oil prices and government bond yields in Europe increased. Brent crude oil briefly surpassed $98 per barrel amid ongoing military tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The outlook for ECB interest rate hikes and concerns over budget deficits following elections in Germany's Saxony-Anhalt also contributed to upward pressure on bond yields.The domestic market may enter a consolidation phase early in the trading session, particularly in semiconductor stocks. As of 8:15 a.m. in the NXT pre-market, Samsung Electronics was trading at 269,500 won, down 0.19% (500 won) from the previous trading day. SK Hynix also recorded a decline of 0.17% (3,000 won), trading at 1,786,000 won. Other major semiconductor and technology stocks, including SK Square (-0.27%), Hanmi Semiconductor (-0.62%), and Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-0.55%), were also in the red.The previous day, the domestic market surged due to strong U.S. employment data for August, which raised concerns about a potential interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve in September, but was buoyed by optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix led the index's rise, increasing by 5.7% and 8.3%, respectively.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "Today, we expect profit-taking to occur following yesterday's short-term surge, influenced by the direction of U.S. 10-year Treasury yields and news flow related to the U.S.-Iran situation, leading to sector differentiation in the market."Recently, the domestic market has shown clear sector rotation. Sectors that performed well last month, such as cosmetics, IT electronics, chemicals, and non-ferrous metals, have seen declines of 7.9%, 4.9%, 4.3%, and 4.0%, respectively, this month. In contrast, semiconductors, which fell by 1.5% last month, have risen by 5.2% as of September 7, placing them among the top-performing sectors, alongside energy, which rose by 5.7%.Notably, foreign investors net bought approximately 2.6 trillion won in the KOSPI, with 2.3 trillion won specifically in the semiconductor sector. Whether this buying trend continues during the price correction phase will be a key factor influencing semiconductor stock movements.A researcher noted, "The important aspect is whether the continuity of foreign net buying is maintained during the price correction phase. We will also watch for sector rotation into other AI infrastructure sectors, such as IT hardware and power equipment, as well as consumer goods and shareholder return-related sectors, during this period of consolidation for semiconductors."They added, "If this virtuous cycle of sector rotation continues, it will support our previously suggested scenario of the KOSPI breaking above the 7,000 mark in September and establishing a recovery path with higher lows."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 08:24:00
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KB Securities Raises DB HiTek Target Price Amid Surge in AI and Robotics Demand KB Securities maintained its "buy" rating on DB HiTek and raised its target price from 170,000 won to 200,000 won, an 18% increase. The firm expects DB HiTek to continue improving its performance due to rising demand for 8-inch foundry services driven by growth in China's artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and robotics market.Lee Chang-min, a researcher at KB Securities, estimated DB HiTek's third-quarter revenue at 411.2 billion won and operating profit at 120.8 billion won, representing year-on-year increases of 10% and 50%, respectively, which are expected to exceed market consensus. The operating profit margin is projected to be 29.4%.The anticipated performance improvement is attributed to price increases in foundry services and full-capacity operations. A 5% price increase implemented in March began to take effect in June, and the full impact of these operations is expected to be realized, with an additional 10% price increase anticipated to start in September.The supply-demand imbalance in the 8-inch foundry market is expected to persist. Leading companies like TSMC and Samsung Electronics are focusing on the 12-inch market, reducing 8-inch supply capacity, while demand from China's AI data centers and robotics is rapidly increasing. Additionally, Taiwanese companies are continuing to produce photonics with a focus on 8-inch foundries, further exacerbating the supply-demand imbalance.As competitors are implementing price increases of 10% to 20%, DB HiTek is also expected to carry out a third price increase within the year, with two more price hikes projected for 2027.KB Securities estimates DB HiTek's revenue for this year at 1.6 trillion won and operating profit at 424.2 billion won, marking increases of 15% and 53%, respectively, compared to the previous year.The researcher noted that DB HiTek's current 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio (PER) stands at 9.4, indicating that the stock is undervalued and likely to rise as performance improves.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 08:24:00
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Bitcoin Retreats to Below $80,000 Amid Caution Ahead of U.S. CPI Release Bitcoin has fallen back to the high $70,000 range, failing to maintain its position above $80,000. This decline is attributed to growing caution regarding the Federal Reserve's monetary policy ahead of the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) announcement.As of 8 a.m. on September 8, Bitcoin was trading at $78,933, down 1.39% from the previous day, according to global cryptocurrency market site CoinMarketCap.Major altcoins also experienced declines. Ethereum dropped 0.96% to $2,481, while Ripple (XRP) fell 2.40% to $1.38. Solana decreased by 2.47% to $103.35, and Binance Coin (BNB) was down 1.86% at $737.18.Recently, Bitcoin had been on an upward trend, supported by demand for gold and Bitcoin as a hedge against concerns over U.S. fiscal health and the Treasury's expansion of long-term bond purchases. After dropping to just above $60,000, Bitcoin had recently recovered to the $80,000 mark.However, the upcoming release of the U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) and CPI on September 10 and 11 appears to have halted this upward momentum. Market expectations regarding the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision for September may shift based on these inflation indicators, leading to increased caution among investors.Meanwhile, at 8 a.m. on Bithumb, Bitcoin was trading at 10,757,000 won (approximately $79,863), reflecting a 0.25% decrease from the previous day. The so-called 'Kimchi premium,' which indicates the extent to which domestic prices exceed international prices, was recorded at 1.306%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 08:24:00
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BTS Concludes North American Tour with 1.92 Million Fans, Sets SoFi Stadium Record K-pop group BTS has wrapped up their North American tour, drawing approximately 1.92 million fans.BTS held their final shows of the North American leg of the 'BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' IN LOS ANGELES' at SoFi Stadium in California on September 1-2 and 5-6. The tour included 31 performances across 12 locations, all of which sold out. BTS met with around 1.92 million fans in North America alone. The four concerts in Los Angeles were live-streamed on the global fan platform Weverse, reaching audiences in 177 countries and regions worldwide.The Los Angeles shows attracted over 282,000 fans. Following four performances in 2021 at the same venue for 'BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LA,' this tour marked a total of eight shows at SoFi Stadium, making them the team with the most concerts at the venue. The cumulative audience for these eight performances reached over 496,000, setting a record for the highest attendance by any group since the stadium opened.Special moments marked the performances. The first show on September 1 coincided with Jungkook's birthday, while the final day on September 6 featured a pre-celebration for RM's upcoming birthday on September 12. Fans sang along to the birthday song, filling the venue with golden lights symbolizing Jungkook's solo album 'GOLDEN' and blue lights reminiscent of RM's solo album 'INDIGO.'During the performance of 'Body to Body,' a track from their fifth studio album 'ARIRANG,' the Korean folk song 'Arirang' played, prompting fans to raise Korean flags in unison. Thousands of fans in Los Angeles enjoyed 'Arirang' while waving the flags.At the end of the concert, the members expressed, "It feels surreal to be saying goodbye in Los Angeles when it seems like just yesterday we started in Tampa. Every moment has passed so quickly because we were so happy. We will cherish these moments."They added, "We always feel grateful for the way you guide us on our path. We hope to remain connected forever, no matter where we are." On the final day, Jungkook showed a postcard he had drawn for the audience, saying, "I want to tell you that you are perfect to me."Local media also took notice. Major outlets like the Associated Press and Billboard reported on the Los Angeles concerts, with around 40 media organizations covering the event. The Los Angeles Times described BTS as a "world-class pop artist," highlighting their influence.Forbes covered the excitement that spread beyond the concert venue throughout Los Angeles. They showcased diverse audiences singing along to 'Arirang' and enjoying the performance while incorporating Korean elements like hanbok, taegukgi, and norigae. Promotions at local restaurants and shops, including those in Koreatown, were also highlighted.City-level recognition followed as well. The city of Los Angeles declared September 1-8 as 'BTS Week.' A proclamation ceremony was held at City Hall on August 31, attended by city council members, the Los Angeles Tourism Board, and representatives from Big Hit Music. On September 1, City Hall was illuminated in red, the key color of the new album 'ARIRANG.'Official events welcoming BTS also took place in other North American locations. Toronto designated August 22-23 as 'BTS Weekend' and temporarily renamed part of Yonge Street as 'BTS Boulevard.' In Illinois, August 27-28 was proclaimed 'BTS Day in Illinois' in honor of the Chicago concert.El Paso County in Texas declared the concert period as 'El Paso BTS Weekend' and awarded BTS the 'Estimado Amigo' honor. In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore welcomed BTS with a video message, and in Mexico, they received an official invitation from President Claudia Sheinbaum.After concluding their North American tour, BTS will head to South America. They are set to continue the 'BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'' in Bogotá, Colombia, on October 2, followed by performances in Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo. This will be BTS's first visit to Colombia, Peru, and Argentina as a complete group.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 08:16:00
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Kiwoom Securities Lowers Lotte Shopping Target Price Amid Slowing Department Store Growth Kiwoom Securities has lowered its target price for Lotte Shopping from 210,000 won to 190,000 won, reflecting a slowdown in domestic department store sales growth. However, the firm maintained its 'buy' rating, anticipating factors that could improve department store sales as the year progresses. The closing price on September 7 was 112,300 won.Park Sang-jun, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, projected Lotte Shopping's consolidated operating profit for the third quarter to be 170.5 billion won, a 31% increase compared to the same period last year. The forecast for same-store sales growth in domestic department stores for the third quarter was revised down from 12% to 10%, but improvements in discount store performance are expected to partially offset this decline.The growth forecast for same-store sales in domestic discount stores for the third quarter was raised from 9% to 17%. This adjustment is attributed to a base effect from the previous year's consumer coupon usage, the impact of Homeplus store closures, and significant differences in the timing of the Chuseok holiday.However, it is believed that the high growth rate in discount stores may not be sustainable. As the base effects related to the Chuseok holiday and consumer coupons diminish, the sales trends in department stores after November will be crucial.Park noted that foreign sales continue to show robust growth of around 100% due to the benefits from the Japan-Korea relations, and he highlighted the recent rebound of the domestic stock market from its lows. Additionally, he suggested that there could be preemptive demand ahead of major companies' bonus payments in the first quarter of next year, which may lead to a sharper-than-expected growth rate in same-store sales for department stores after November.Park stated, "While we have adjusted our earnings estimates and target PER downward to reflect the slowdown in domestic department store sales growth, we still find the current stock price level attractive for buying, considering the potential for stronger income effects and valuation appeal in the fourth quarter and beyond."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 08:16:00
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UPDATE: South Korea sees per-capita GNI top $40,000 this year *Updated with additional information from a Bank of Korea briefing SEOUL, September 8 (AJP) - South Korea's national income increased sharply in the second quarter amid surge in chip and other exports, pushing the gross savings rate to a historic high and placing the per-capita gross national income on track to top $40,000 this year. The Bank of Korea (BOK) said real gross national income (GNI) rose 15.6 percent from a year earlier and 3.1 percent from the previous quarter. Real personal gross disposable income increased 5.5 percent from a year earlier and 2.1 percent from the previous quarter. The annual increase in real GNI was the strongest since the fourth quarter of 1988, when it rose 15.7 percent. Real trading gains increased to 58.5 trillion won, up from 38.7 trillion won in the first quarter. Real net factor income from the rest of the world fell to 7.9 trillion won from 11.6 trillion won. Real GNI growth was still much higher than real GDP growth, which increased by 0.6 percent from the previous quarter. Real personal gross disposable income, a measure more closely tied to household purchasing power, rose 5.5 percent from a year earlier. Its 2.1 percent quarterly increase was also smaller than the 3.1 percent rise in real GNI. The income breakdown also showed sharply different rates of increase. Gross operating surplus jumped 18.5 percent from the previous quarter, the strongest increase since the series was first published in the second quarter of 2010. Compensation of employees rose 1.9 percent. The stretch in income bolstered the gross saving ratio 3.9 percentage points to 45.6 percent, the highest since the series began in 1970. Gross national disposable income increased 8.9 percent from the previous quarter while final consumption expenditure rose 1.6 percent, widening the gap between income and spending. The household net saving ratio increased to 9.7 percent from 8.8 percent, suggesting Koreans choosing to set aside extra income rather than spending it. Kim Hwa-yong, head of the BOK's National Accounts Department, said the higher saving rate could represent greater capacity for future consumption because income was rising faster than spending. The surge in national income has also sharply increased the likelihood that South Korea's per-capita GNI will exceed $40,000 for the first time this year. Kim said nominal GNI grew 21.8 percent in the first half and that the likelihood of reaching the milestone had increased significantly. The 21.8 percent increase was the strongest first-half growth in nominal GNI since 1991, when it rose about 21.9 percent. Nominal GNI increased 8.8 percent from the previous quarter and 26.4 percent from a year earlier to 846.9 trillion won ($629.2 billion). Nominal GDP rose 9.2 percent from the previous quarter to 834.9 trillion won and was 26.4 percent higher than a year earlier. The annual increase in nominal GDP was the strongest since the third quarter of 1979, when it rose 27.7 percent. The unusually large gap between nominal and real growth reflected a sharp rise in prices captured by the GDP deflator. The GDP deflator climbed 21.9 percent from a year earlier, while the domestic-demand deflator excluding inventories rose 3.6 percent. The export deflator surged 56.6 percent and the import deflator rose 21.0 percent. The average won-dollar exchange rate was 7.0 percent higher than a year earlier during the quarter. “The improvement in the terms of trade widened in the second quarter from the first quarter, and we expect the effect to continue,” Kim said. A stronger won could reduce gains generated through export prices, although lower import prices would offset part of the impact, he said. Semiconductor prices are also expected to improve in the third and fourth quarters on sustained demand, limiting the overall effect of exchange-rate movements. Real GDP expanded 0.6 percent from the previous quarter and 3.7 percent from a year earlier, unchanged from the advance estimate released in July. Manufacturing grew 1.4 percent, led by computer, electronic and optical products. Services expanded 1.0 percent on gains in wholesale and retail trade and accommodation and food services. Finance and insurance as well as information and communication also increased. Construction contracted 1.9 percent as civil engineering activity declined. On the expenditure side, private consumption rose 0.4 percent and government consumption increased 0.1 percent. Construction investment slipped 0.1 percent. Facilities investment edged up 0.2 percent, while intellectual property products investment increased 3.4 percent. Exports rose 1.3 percent, led by semiconductors and machinery and equipment, while imports gained 0.7 percent. Kim said improving corporate profitability could support further facilities investment. Non-residential building activity was increasing and the contraction in residential construction was narrowing, leaving room for construction activity to improve. The improvement was also spreading beyond semiconductors to other manufacturing industries, he said. Stronger consumption could eventually extend the gains to a broader range of industries, although the process would take time. The gross domestic investment ratio fell to 24.2 percent from 25.3 percent. Nominal gross capital formation, however, increased 4.3 percent during the quarter, meaning the decline in the ratio did not reflect an outright fall in investment. Kim said domestic investment continued to increase in absolute terms because gross national disposable income grew even faster. Higher corporate income also contributed to increased investment abroad. The BOK is scheduled to release full-year 2026 per-capita GNI with fourth-quarter national accounts data next March. AJP Takeaways - South Korea's real GNI rose 15.6 percent from a year earlier, the fastest increase since the fourth quarter of 1988, as improved terms of trade boosted real purchasing power. - South Korea's real personal gross disposable income increased 5.5 percent from a year earlier, below the 15.6 percent increase in real GNI. - South Korea's gross saving ratio reached 45.6 percent, the highest since the series began in 1970. The BOK said higher savings could provide room for future consumption. - South Korea's chances of reaching $40,000 in per-capita GNI this year increased significantly if the second half avoids a major shock and the won-dollar exchange rate remains stable. 2026-09-08 08:08:09 -
Korea, France launch 1 billion euro film investment drive SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) -South Korea and France will invest a combined 1 billion euros ($1.17 billion) in their film and audiovisual industries over five years as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation in content production and strengthen their creative industries. President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the Global Film and Audiovisual Industry Investment Cooperation Initiative at the inaugural Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence in southern France on Monday. The two countries will each invest 500 million euros from 2027 through 2031 through separate funds that will initially support domestic film and audiovisual companies. They plan to expand the framework gradually into joint productions and broader cross-border cooperation, according to South Korea's presidential office. Lee attended the summit as co-chair after Macron invited South Korea to take the role during their summit in April. The Lumière Summit, the first international gathering dedicated to discussing the future of the film and audiovisual industries, brought together 274 participants from 58 countries. They included culture ministers, international organization officials, executives from film and media companies, directors and actors. Lee used his opening address to outline four priorities for the industry: overcoming the crisis facing movie theaters, finding ways for human creativity and artificial intelligence to coexist, protecting cultural diversity through support for independent films and creating a mutually beneficial relationship between local and global content industries. "Innovation and outstanding creativity are the key to turning crises into opportunities," Lee said. His film diplomacy continued later in the day with a meeting with Motion Picture Association Chairman Charles Rivkin and representatives of major U.S. entertainment companies including Netflix, Disney, Sony and NBCUniversal as well as CJ Group Vice Chairwoman Lee Mie-kyung. The president urged global media companies to increase investment and production in South Korea, saying his government regards culture as a central industry of the future. "The government will actively support the production of works in South Korea," Lee said, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. Rivkin described South Korea as a key partner that had emerged as a creative powerhouse through "smart policies and openness," the presidential office said. Lee also attributed the international rise of Korean culture partly to the country's democratic development and its long history as a tightly connected cultural community. The meeting came as South Korea seeks to turn the global popularity of Korean films, television series and music into a broader engine of economic growth and international cultural influence. Lee earlier met Korean filmmakers and actors attending the Lumière Summit for a discussion titled "Next Scene: Talking About the Future of K-Content." Participants included directors Lee Chang-dong and July Jung, actors Sol Kyung-gu, Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Do-yeon, and Netflix Asia-Pacific content executive Kim Min-young. Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love," starring Sol and Jeon, was invited to the competition section of the Venice International Film Festival and selected as South Korea's submission for the Academy Awards. July Jung's "Dora," starring Kim Do-yeon, was invited to the Cannes Film Festival. Lee discussed with the creators how working conditions had changed following the global success of Korean content and what policies were needed to sustain the momentum. He pledged broader government support to give filmmakers and other creators more opportunities. "The current government believes culture is a core industry of the future," Lee said. Lee also attended an official luncheon hosted as part of the summit with Macron and about 200 government officials, industry executives and creators. He called for greater international cooperation to preserve cultural diversity while expanding the global film and audiovisual industry. AJP Takeaways - South Korea and France will each invest 500 million euros in their film and audiovisual industries from 2027 through 2031. - President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron launched the initiative at the inaugural Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. - President Lee urged major U.S. studios and streaming companies including Netflix, Disney and Sony to expand investment in Korean content. 2026-09-08 07:33:08 -
Leverage and Inverse ETFs See Sharp Decline After 100 Days ◆아주경제 주요뉴스▷단종레 100일 '처참한 성적표'…평균수익률 -57%, 거래대금 20분의 1 '뚝'- Trading volume for single-stock leverage and inverse ETFs has plummeted 100 days after their launch. On September 4, the trading volume for 16 products was 498.4 billion won, just one-twentieth of the 10.4 trillion won on the first day of trading on May 27. Compared to the peak of 19.4 trillion won on June 24, this represents a decrease to one-fortieth of that level. Trading volume also fell from 417.38 million shares to 55.25 million shares, a drop of 86.8%.- The returns have also been disappointing. The average return for the 16 products since their listing is -57.61%, with both leverage and inverse products showing negative returns. Some products have dropped as much as 68%. The underlying asset prices, including those of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, have fallen by as much as 19% since the launch, leading to increased losses due to the structure of the products, which aim to double daily returns.- The market is evaluating this situation as effectively leading to the discontinuation of these products. Concerns have been raised about increased market volatility, and stricter entry regulations may continue to suppress trading activity. During the National Assembly's audit in September, there are calls from both ruling and opposition parties to investigate the introduction process and accountability of these products, indicating it will be a major issue.◆주요 리포트▷다 돌아야 끝나는 - Currently, AI investment is primarily driven by hardware infrastructure development, but it is expected to expand into software investments that utilize AI, suggesting a continuation of the investment cycle. The internet investment boom of the 1990s also followed a similar pattern, moving from infrastructure development to widespread utilization and productivity improvements.- The average token price for large language models (LLMs) has dropped by 50% from early June to mid-August, while token usage has increased more than threefold. The price of computing resources has remained stable, indicating a growing demand for AI utilization.- With increased investments in AI-related data centers, power, and semiconductors, the growth rate of U.S. manufacturing shipments has outpaced inventory growth, and signs of economic improvement are spreading to other industries such as pharmaceuticals and aviation.- Future corporate profit growth rates are likely to slow due to base effects, but nominal GDP growth is expected to remain at higher levels than in the past. Considering factors such as fiscal deficits, increased corporate bond issuance, and declining savings rates, the decline in long-term interest rates is also expected to be limited.- If all corporate bond issuances by hyperscalers are accounted for, the ratio of corporate debt to U.S. GDP is estimated to rise by 6 percentage points by 2030. However, this is not expected to lead to an immediate crisis, especially compared to the approximately 10 percentage point increase seen in the 2-3 years before past crises.◆장 마감 후(7일) 주요공시▷STX그린로지스: 유형자산 128억7440만원에 처분▷메디콕스: 대표집행임원과 등기임원의 횡령·배임 혐의 발생▷유진기업: 종속회사인 유진더블유가 보유하던 우리금융지주 주식 1400만주 4622억2984만원에 처분▷사토시홀딩스: 제3자배정 유상증자 납입이 끝나면서 최대주주 바뀜 ◆펀드 동향(4일 기준, ETF 제외) ▷국내 주식형: -314억원▷해외 주식형: -95억원 ◆오늘(8일) 주요일정▷미국: 소기업낙관지수(8월), 고용동향지수(8월)▷일본: GDP 성장률(2Q)▷중국: 수출입통계(8월)* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 07:12:00
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Body of Missing Woman Found in Freezer at Paju Cafe; Suspect Arrested A body of a woman in her 60s was discovered in a freezer at a large cafe in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, prompting a police investigation. Authorities have arrested a man in his 30s, the cafe owner, as a suspect and are currently questioning him while he remains in custody.According to Yonhap News on September 7, a missing person report for the woman, identified as A, was filed around midnight on September 4 in Seoul.Police tracked A's cellphone location and found her body in the cafe's freezer in Munseong-eup, Paju, at approximately 2 p.m. on the same day.Authorities identified the cafe owner, a man named B, as a suspect after he was apprehended in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, around the same time A's body was discovered.Following this, police applied for an arrest warrant for B on charges of murder, which was granted by the Uijeongbu District Court's Goyang branch on September 6.Reports indicate that A and B were strangers prior to their meeting at the cafe on September 3.A was reportedly meeting B to discuss the buying and selling of gift certificates, a practice known as 'gift certificate laundering.' Police are investigating claims that B lured A into the freezer, stating that the gift certificates were stored there.A's body was found frozen, suggesting it had been left in the freezer for a significant period.Authorities plan to conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether B killed A in the freezer or confined her there while she was still alive.Meanwhile, the cafe has gained popularity, attracting many customers from outside Paju, and B had instructed employees not to come to work and closed the cafe since September 3.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 07:12:00