Ideas
Samsung Electronics is re-rating on HBM/foundry.
Samsung Electronics is seeing improved HBM/DRAM yields reported above 60%, potential HBM4 qualification, and rising foundry value. SF2 yields are reportedly 50-60%, and the U.S. foundry push could make Samsung a key AI foundry. He argues earnings and narrative momentum favor Samsung over SK hynix near term, with 2026 operating profit estimates potentially rising sharply, and advises holding with a 165,000-200,000 KRW target range.
Small/mid-caps may lead next week.
Large caps and semiconductors have led, but next week mid/small caps with solid earnings or clear catalysts may attract rotational flows; institution-bought small caps that pulled back are worth studying. He recommends portfolio diversification and trend following rather than chasing.
Hyosung TNC benefits from spandex shortage.
A major Chinese spandex producer, reportedly the No. 3 player, has collapsed, which could sharply tighten supply while spandex inventories have already fallen from about 60 days to 30 days. If supply falls with low inventories, spandex prices could spike, benefiting Hyosung TNC.
Nuclear policy supports Korean constructors.
Government policy has shifted toward new nuclear construction because AI and semiconductor fabs need power, and this also supports nuclear exports. He favors Korean nuclear-linked construction names, especially Hyundai E&C, which can re-rate on 2026 nuclear/SMR order prospects despite weak housing, while other construction names with nuclear exposure can follow.
SK hynix earnings beat; memory supercycle intact.
SK hynix should beat consensus earnings, with HBM4 volumes already secured and memory prices rising. Although it lacks Samsung's near-term narrative and ADR issuance was delayed, valuation is around 6.8x earnings and it can follow Samsung higher; he says not to sell.
KOSPI can reach 5,000 on earnings.
Kim argues the KOSPI can continue toward 5,000 because about 80% of the rally is driven by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix earnings upgrades, the index P/E is still around 10x and below its 10-year average, macro is close to goldilocks, and FX risk has been contained. If investors are unsure of individual stocks, he prefers buying the index, which already has roughly 40% semiconductor exposure.
Shipbuilding and defense complement semiconductors.
He keeps exposure to Korean shipbuilding and defense as a barbell alongside semiconductors, noting these sectors remain attractive even after pulling back. The market can be played with semiconductors plus shipbuilding and defense.
Unity gains from AI game NPCs.
Freedom Capital initiated coverage positively on Unity, citing vector AI for game NPCs. If AI makes game characters more realistic, Unity could lead the next game-development wave, as it provides the 3D environment and software layer. He views it as a theme to watch.
Alteogen license deal likely next week.
At the JP Morgan Healthcare conference, Alteogen management confidently said a technology-export/license deal could come as early as next week, and said patent litigation was not raised by partner companies. The stock's 10% rebound improved biotech sentiment, and a deal could drive another leg up.
Memory supercycle led by AI demand.
TSMC's strong results and large 2026 capex plan rebut AI-bubble concerns and signal a semiconductor supercycle. DeepSeek's new AI technique may lower HBM dependence but increases need for legacy DRAM and CXL, while DRAM prices are rising sharply; top hedge funds and a Micron insider are also positive on memory.
Korean Air earnings surprise and travel boom.
Korean Air reported a Q4 earnings surprise, with revenue and operating profit above consensus, driven by strong travel demand, China/Korea travel recovery, and data-center equipment cargo. Won strength would also ease FX costs, and global airline profitability is improving on constrained supply.
Korean nuclear construction is globally competitive.
Korea's nuclear construction times are only 1-2 years versus 5-8 years for most countries and 12-20 years for some projects, giving Korean constructors a global edge. KB Securities prefers large nuclear over SMR and favors Korean firms, with Hyundai E&C, Doosan Enerbility, and KEPCO as top picks.
LigaChem Bio likely next license-out deal.
NH Investment & Securities identified LigaChem Bio, along with Alteogen, as a likely Q1 license-out big-deal candidate. LigaChem has not rebounded much despite the sector bounce, so it could catch up if a deal materializes.
DND Pharmatech has pipeline catalyst soon.
DND Pharmatech could see new pipeline or licensing news around March or the end of Q1, making it a name to watch within the Korean biotech rebound.
Hanmi Pharm clinical news due May-June.
Hanmi Pharm sold off after the JPM Healthcare conference because no concrete comments emerged, but clinical and pipeline news is expected around May-June; investors should not abandon the biotech sector.
Korean biotech/KOSDAQ rebound should continue.
To move the KOSDAQ from its lagging range toward 1,000-1,100, Korean biotech and healthcare must rebound because it is about 40% of KOSDAQ market cap. The JPM Healthcare conference selloff was a buying opportunity, and Alteogen's rebound signals improving sector sentiment.
Korean aesthetic exporters hit record exports.
December medical tourism spending hit a record, especially from Chinese visitors, and Korean aesthetic-device exports surged: Classys and Hugel saw record monthly exports and PharmaResearch also hit a monthly high. The export data support the aesthetic and medical-tourism basket.
WTI risk remains despite recent drop.
WTI fell as US-Iran military worries eased, but the U.S. aircraft carrier is still en route and an attack could start within a week, so the geopolitical risk is not fully resolved. He does not expect a massive spike but sees residual event risk.
Hyundai Motor leads physical AI re-rating.
Hyundai Motor is the best way to play physical AI: Boston Dynamics' Atlas showed high completion and a concrete mass-production roadmap, while the NVIDIA partnership accelerates autonomous driving. Regulatory normalization for ICE and hybrids removes the old EV-only obsolescence discount and supports a re-rating of both the auto and robotics businesses; target 600,000 KRW.
Hyundai Mobis benefits from group re-rating.
Hyundai Mobis is a Hyundai Motor Group value-chain beneficiary and top pick, with a 560,000 KRW target, as group re-rating and component/autonomous driving exposure support value.
Kia offers hybrid upside and high margins.
Kia has the same Hyundai Group portfolio but more room to raise U.S. hybrid mix; its pure auto business gives higher margins than Hyundai, and it also holds a Boston Dynamics stake. Target 170,000 KRW.
Hyundai Glovis gains from logistics robotics.
Hyundai Glovis is not just a Boston Dynamics stake play; robotics and smart-factory/logistics automation can improve its logistics business, making it a group beneficiary.
Hyundai AutoEver monetizes AI investment early.
Hyundai AutoEver is uniquely positioned because its SI business books revenue and profit during Hyundai's AI investment phase, not only after 2028. Hyundai's NVIDIA AI factory, involving 50,000 GPUs and roughly 5 trillion KRW plus about 2 trillion KRW for the data center, could be a multi-trillion-won order opportunity; consensus does not yet reflect it. Target 510,000 KRW.
This 3PRO TV (삼프로TV) video, published January 16, 2026,
features Kim Jang-yeol, Jang Woo-jin, Park Geun-hyung, Lee Jae-il
discussing 005930.KS, Korean small/mid-cap equities, 298050.KS, 000720.KS, 034020.KS, 375500.KS, 047040.KS, 000660.KS, EWY, Korean Shipbuilding, Korean Defense, U, 196170.KQ, SMH, 003490.KS, 015760.KS, 141080.KQ, 347850.KQ, 128940.KS, KOSDAQ, Korean Biotech, 214150.KQ, 145020.KQ, 214450.KQ, WTI, 005380.KS, 012330.KS, 000270.KS, 086280.KS, 307950.KS.
23 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.
Speakers:
Kim Jang-yeol,
Jang Woo-jin,
Park Geun-hyung,
Lee Jae-il
· Tickers:
005930.KS,
Korean small/mid-cap equities,
298050.KS,
000720.KS,
034020.KS,
375500.KS,
047040.KS,
000660.KS,
EWY,
Korean Shipbuilding,
Korean Defense,
U,
196170.KQ,
SMH,
003490.KS,
015760.KS,
141080.KQ,
347850.KQ,
128940.KS,
KOSDAQ,
Korean Biotech,
214150.KQ,
145020.KQ,
214450.KQ,
WTI,
005380.KS,
012330.KS,
000270.KS,
086280.KS,
307950.KS
