Ideas
KOSPI likely reaches 5,000 soon
KOSPI has rallied for 10 straight sessions to around 4,840, leaving only about 160 points or 3% to the 5,000 level. Roughly KRW 90tn in investor deposits and institutional ETF buying are filling foreign selling, while earnings season and large-cap sector rotation should keep the index supported. The speaker expects KOSPI may reach 5,000 sooner than expected and prefers buying dips or accumulating on pullbacks rather than chasing spikes.
Micron insider buy signals confidence
A Micron director bought about USD 7.82M of stock on January 13-14 at an all-time high, the first insider purchase in roughly four years and the largest on record. The purchase at a high price signals strong confidence in Micron's outlook and drove a 7.76% surge to a new high, which is also positive for the broader memory sector.
Memory supercycle supports Samsung, SK hynix
The memory semiconductor outlook is strongly positive. Morgan Stanley sees legacy memory supply-demand imbalance widening, the supercycle continuing through this year, and ROE improvement plus valuation multiple expansion. Bloomberg reported that the AI-driven memory market led by SK hynix and Samsung Electronics could enjoy a decade-long boom and said investors should buy memory semis. This supports Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.
Equipment order cycle lifting Korean suppliers
VM's KRW 78bn SK hynix equipment order equals 111% of its annual revenue and suggests the Korean semiconductor equipment order cycle is starting. As Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron expand capacity and move to advanced nodes, equipment and materials suppliers should benefit. The speaker names VM, Wonik IPS, Eugene Technology, ISC, Leeno Industrial, Hana Materials, and TCK as names to watch, with many at or near highs.
Hanmi Semiconductor benefits from Micron HBM4
Hanmi Semiconductor has the highest Micron exposure among equipment suppliers. As Micron expands HBM4 capacity and builds a large New York plant, HBM4 equipment is likely to be installed first. The stock is near its prior high of KRW 200,000 and holding its 10-day moving average; a breakout would create new highs.
Shipbuilding defense benefit geopolitical risk
Earnings season and renewed geopolitical risk, including Greenland tariff threats and military tensions, favor shipbuilding and defense. Hanwha Ocean is leading near a prior high, Samsung Heavy is rising quickly, HD Hyundai Heavy broke its prior high, and HJ Heavy has a military ship permit and an improving chart.
Korea Carbon benefits LNG carrier supercycle
LNG project expectations and the remaining LNG carrier supercycle support shipbuilding equipment, especially LNG insulation and containment supplier Korea Carbon. The stock surged and then pulled back near its 10-day moving average, making it worth watching for renewed order momentum.
Hanwha Engine earnings beat expectations
Engine makers are expected to report strong earnings. Export data show high engine selling prices due to robust demand, and the high exchange rate also supports earnings. Hanwha Engine broke its prior high and is riding its 5-day moving average.
Power equipment demand remains strong
The Trump administration's plan to shift AI data-center power grid expansion costs to Big Tech, including 15-year power purchase contracts, supports long-duration power infrastructure. Chronic power shortages and grid expansion keep power equipment earnings strong. Named beneficiaries include HD Hyundai Electric, Hyosung Heavy Industries, LS Electric, Iljin Electric, and Sanil Electric.
Nuclear gas favored by long PPAs
Long-term 15-year power purchase agreements favor capital-intensive and long-build power sources such as natural gas and nuclear plants. With power shortages and policy support, momentum remains positive for nuclear and natural gas exposure. Doosan Enerbility, BHI, Korea Electric Power, and KEPCO E&C all showed positive momentum.
Biotech catalyzers may revive sector interest
Pharma and biotech are next-week focus sectors. Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy early prescription data is solid, and JPM Healthcare meetings often lead to licensing deals about three to four months later. Alteogen may announce a technology transfer as early as next week, potentially a large deal that could refocus the market on biotech. The wide KOSPI-KOSDAQ gap also supports a bio rebound, with obesity-treatment names like D&D Pharmatech and G2G Bio as representatives.
Novo oral Wegovy early demand strong
Novo Nordisk surged about 8% after the launch of oral Wegovy, as early prescription data was strong and TD Cowen analysts called it a solid start. More data is needed to fully assess demand, but the initial read supports Novo and obesity-treatment sentiment.
Alteogen tech transfer possible next week
Alteogen's CEO said a technology transfer could be announced as early as next week. If the deal is large, such as taking a customer from rival Halozyme, it could reignite pharma and biotech interest. This is an event-driven setup to monitor.
KOSDAQ likely breaks upward
KOSDAQ is forming a triangle pattern with higher lows and lower highs and is now near the upper boundary. The speaker sees an upward breakout as more likely than a downward one, though such a move would need support from semiconductor equipment, biotech, battery, and robot sectors.
Space catalysts favor Korean space names
Moon resource competition between the U.S. and China, including rare earths and helium-3, and the shift toward private-sector leadership keep space investment themes alive. Artemis 2 is scheduled for February and is a major event. Korean names include Naraspace Technology, whose K-RAD Cube is part of Artemis 2, plus Hanwha Systems and Satrec Initiative.
Holding companies benefit shareholder return reform
The Third Commercial Act amendment is expected this month and should benefit holding companies with high treasury stock ratios. Separately taxing cash dividends would lower the high-dividend tax rate from as much as 45% to 30%, encouraging more dividends and shareholder returns. This supports holding companies and KOSPI value-up, with SK and CJ showing positive momentum; a holding company ETF is an alternative for diversified exposure.
Securities firms benefit KOSPI 5,000
With KOSPI near 5,000, securities firms are in a favorable environment. Mirae Asset Securities and Kiwoom Securities are highlighted as leading names in the sector.
This 815 Money Talk (815머니톡) video, published January 17, 2026,
features Lee Ju-hyeon
discussing EWY, MU, 005930.KS, 000660.KS, 089970.KQ, 240810.KQ, 084370.KQ, 095340.KQ, 058470.KQ, 166090.KQ, 064760.KQ, 042700.KS, 042660.KS, 010140.KS, 329180.KS, 097230.KS, 017960.KS, 082740.KS, 267260.KS, 298040.KS, 010120.KS, 103590.KS, 062040.KS, 034020.KS, 083650.KQ, 015760.KS, 052690.KS, 347850.KQ, 456160.KQ, NVO, 196170.KQ, KOSDAQ, Naraspace Technology, 272210.KS, 099320.KQ, 034730.KS, 001040.KS, Holding companies ETF, 006800.KS, 039490.KS.
17 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.
Speakers:
Lee Ju-hyeon
· Tickers:
EWY,
MU,
005930.KS,
000660.KS,
089970.KQ,
240810.KQ,
084370.KQ,
095340.KQ,
058470.KQ,
166090.KQ,
064760.KQ,
042700.KS,
042660.KS,
010140.KS,
329180.KS,
097230.KS,
017960.KS,
082740.KS,
267260.KS,
298040.KS,
010120.KS,
103590.KS,
062040.KS,
034020.KS,
083650.KQ,
015760.KS,
052690.KS,
347850.KQ,
456160.KQ,
NVO,
196170.KQ,
KOSDAQ,
Naraspace Technology,
272210.KS,
099320.KQ,
034730.KS,
001040.KS,
Holding companies ETF,
006800.KS,
039490.KS
