Bank of Korea Pushes Back on Peak-Out Fears: AI Chip Upcycle Has 'Considerable Period' to Run
The Bank of Korea submitted analysis to the National Assembly on July 13, 2026, defending the AI semiconductor upcycle. Central bank cites HBM supply constraints limiting capacity expansion, with JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley forecasting robust global semiconductor markets through 2027+. Context: Samsung -9%, SK Hynix -15% in recent sessions despite record Q2 earnings. KOSPI forward P/E near 6.8x — GFC-level discount.
- 02
Cosmax (192820.KS) Q1 2026: Record ₩682B Revenue as Input Costs Squeeze Operating Margin to 7.8%
K-beauty's largest ODM manufacturer posts its highest-ever quarterly sales but fails to convert top-line momentum into earnings growth, as rising production costs and an aggressive capital expansion program compress margins and widen leverage.
- 03
Samsung Pulls Forward Yongin Chip Hub's First Fab to 2029, Racing to Meet AI Demand
Samsung Electronics is accelerating the opening of its first Yongin fabrication plant to 2029, one to two years earlier than planned, to capitalize on surging AI chip demand.
- 04
Tesla and BYD Claim One-in-Four Korean Car Sales as Import Share Tops 25% for the First Time
South Korea's import car market crossed 25% share for the first time in H1 2026, driven by Tesla (+192% YoY to 56,139 units) and BYD's market debut, raising structural pressure on Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and Kia (000270.KS) in their home market.
- 05
KOSPI Circuit Breakers & Sidecar Rules: Complete 2026 Guide
Complete guide to KOSPI circuit breakers (−8%/−15%/−20%) and sidecars (±5% futures). Includes all 2026 activations and comparison to U.S. rules.
- 06
Kolmar Korea (161890.KS) Q1 2026: Record ₩728B Revenue, Operating Profit Surges 32% on K-Beauty ODM Boom
Kolmar Korea (161890.KS) posts record Q1 2026 revenue of ₩728B (+11.5% YoY), with operating profit surging 32% to ₩78.9B driven by cosmetics ODM growth and Kolmask subsidiary consolidation.
- 07
Hoban Closes to Record 0.42-Point Gap in Hanjin KAL as Proxy Battle Heats Up
Hoban Group bought 1.13 million Hanjin KAL shares on July 11, lifting its stake to 20.15% vs. Walter Cho's 20.57% — the slimmest margin on record. With Delta Air Lines and Korea Development Bank backing Cho at ~46%, full control remains out of reach. But the NPS at 5.46% could be decisive if Hoban escalates to a formal proxy contest.
- 08
Bank of Korea July Preview: First Rate Hike Since 2023 Expected on July 16
The Bank of Korea meets July 16 with consensus for a 25bp hike to 2.75% — the first increase since January 2023. What it means for the won, banks, and the SKHY premium.
- 09
SK Hynix (SKHY) Options Start Trading This Week: What US Investors Should Know
SKHY options are expected to start trading around July 14. The ADR's ~15% premium to Seoul shares, unresolved conversion rules, and what US investors should watch.
- 10
Cheil Worldwide (030000.KS) Q1 2026: Operating Profit Slumps 38% as Retirement Costs Nearly Triple
Cheil Worldwide (030000.KS) Q1 2026: Operating Profit Slumps 38% as Retirement Costs Nearly Triple
- 11
EcoPro BM Completes Global Roadshow to Defend KRW 1.2T Rights Offering, Reveals Two-Phase Indonesia Nickel Plan Covering 1.5 Million EVs
EcoPro BM wrapped a seven-day global investor roadshow defending its KRW 1.2T rights offering with a two-phase Indonesia nickel strategy that secures 65,000 t/y — enough for 1.5 million EVs — via an existing Sulawesi smelter license that Indonesia has since frozen to new entrants.
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Shinhan (055550.KS) Chair Flies to London With Value-Up Plan
Shinhan Financial Group (055550.KS), one of South Korea's four largest financial holding companies, sent the chair of its board of directors—not its chief execu
- 13
CXMT's DRAM Share Triples to 8% as Apple Weighs China-Sold iPhone Deal — Samsung and SK Hynix's Commodity Edge Faces New Test
China's CXMT grew its global DRAM market share from 3% to 8% in Q1 2026 while Apple reportedly evaluates CXMT chips for China-sold iPhones. Samsung and SK Hynix are accelerating KRW 400 trillion Gwangju fab investments, but new capacity won't arrive until H2 2027.
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