Daily Briefing · 2026-09-26

S. Treasury yields continued their extremely strong rally, with both the 10-year and 30-year hitting their highest levels in 19 years and 22 years, respectively. Strong economic growth and inflationary pressure are deepening the bond sell-off, increasing the burden of global borrowing costs. In the semiconductor industry, news emerged that Solidigm, SK hynix's grandchild company, is pursuing the largest IPO in U.S. history, valued at up to $150 billion. In domestic corporate value terms, this amounts to 204 trillion won, raising expectations for a re-rating of the SK hynix group. Geopolitically, the United States and China agreed to ban Iranian nuclear weapons and abolish international waterway transit tolls, easing tensions in the Middle East. In the domestic stock market, investor deposits surpassed 100 trillion won and new account openings surged 191%, with sidelined funds pouring in. However, domestic retail investors net sold 18 trillion won worth of domestic stocks over the month of September, showing an accelerating exodus at the same time. Kakao Chairman Kim Beom-soo's second-trial verdict on SM stock manipulation charges is scheduled for November, with prosecutors having sought a 15-year prison sentence. In the real estate market, the Seoul mayor clashed with the President over the issue of a housing supply cliff, with concerns over supply shortages spilling into political conflict. In Seoul apartments, ultra-high-priced monthly rent transactions in the 40 million won range have appeared, increasing the burden of rental costs. People in their 30s accounted for 36.4% of first-half housing purchase value, emerging as the largest buyer group, with financing through gifts and inheritance also increasing. Import restrictions on Korean products have increased to 241 cases, raising concerns over the spread of protectionism and weakening export competitiveness. Korea Power Generation launched as the world's 8th-largest power company through the merger of 5 power generation companies, gaining 53 gigawatts of power generation facilities and 67 trillion won in assets. Doosan is expanding CCL (copper clad laminate) capacity with a record investment of 970 billion won to respond to demand from AI data centers. In Jeonbuk, the Hyundai Motor Group is investing 8.9 trillion won in Saemangeum to drive a restructuring of the robotics, hydrogen, and AI industrial ecosystem. Domestic gasoline prices fell for a 19th consecutive week, averaging 1,858 won per liter, easing the burden on consumers. In the wake of the base rate hike, the highest time deposit rate at commercial banks reached 3.92%, while savings banks have introduced products with rates of up to over 10%, boosting interest in deposit investment strategies. SNS investment scams impersonating Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song are spreading, raising concerns over consumer harm. Nvidia rose 138-fold over 10 years, meaning a 100 million won investment would have yielded a profit of 13.8 billion won, heightening interest in tech stock investment. Controversy has also arisen over the mismanagement of golf memberships worth 14.6 billion won held by IBK Industrial Bank and the Korea Development Bank, putting the transparency of public funds under scrutiny.