World News

Given that AI and HBM are said to continue growing, why does account volatility increase even when holding multiple semiconductor-related stocks? The issue lies not in the number of stocks, but in whether assets are tied up collectively within the same semiconductor market and investment cycle. To assess the risks of the semiconductor sector as a single industry as of August 23, 2026, one cannot look solely at AI demand. Investment requires examining factors such as concentration in large-cap stocks, foreign investor supply and demand, interest rates and geopolitical variables, and the actual scope of benefits for back-end processes and materials, parts, and equipment suppliers separately… Read more

Why does the news that prices have dropped to the 2% range feel unreal, even though the total cost of a shopping basket remains the same? The key point is not that prices have actually gotten cheaper, but that the pace of price increases has slowed. We will examine the implications of prices settling in the 2% range as of August 2026, breaking it down into trends in interest rates, exchange rates, oil prices, and food prices. By also summarizing why official indicators and actual living costs feel different, we can see at a glance what changes will occur in the future. Prices in the 2% range… Read more

It is easy to misunderstand if you assume you will receive more immediately simply by seeing the news that the Earned Income Tax Credit and monthly rent deductions are being expanded. Since the details announced on August 19, 2026, are still the government's tax reform plan, you must examine the actual changes in criteria and the effective dates separately. The core of this reform plan lies in raising both the income threshold and the maximum payment amount for the Earned Income Tax Credit, while expanding the monthly rent tax credit limit to 12 million won per year. Although it also includes provisions to broaden the monthly rent deduction rate and IRP tax credit rate for young people, … Read more

The Nasdaq rose 5.191 TP3T over the week, while the KOSPI fell 5.11 TP3T during the same period. Investors who jumped into leverage and day trading while watching the U.S. stock market hit record highs are bound to wonder whether this diverging trend is merely a correction or the aftereffects of the strategies themselves. Looking at the market as of August 23, 2026, the problem is not limited to price declines alone. Concentration in specific stocks, margin trading and leveraged investing, the structure of daily leverage products, and signals regarding employment, inflation, and interest rates… Read more

If you are wondering by when you must sell your existing home ahead of the autumn moving season, you should first check whether the deadline for disposing of a temporary two-home ownership changes as of October 1, 2026. This is because the three-year period previously understood does not apply equally to all homes. The core of this amendment concerns cases where one switches homes located in designated adjustment areas. The special provision for temporary two-home ownership requires considering the location of the home as well as the timing of the contract, acquisition, and transfer, and the period uniformly becoming two years from October 1… Read more

If you own a home, you have likely heard the news that the calculation method for the Comprehensive Real Estate Tax will be completely reversed starting in 2027. According to the tax measures announced by the government this August, the assessment basis is shifting from the number of homes to their value; consequently, you could end up paying less than half of your current tax, or conversely, significantly more. In particular, the tax burden for those with joint ownership by spouses or non-residential homes could differ significantly from expectations. However, the policy… Read more

Since early August, the KOSPI has been exhibiting extreme volatility, skyrocketing by 171 TP3T in a single day only to plummet by more than 51 TP3T a few days later. Circuit breakers are being triggered repeatedly, and news outlets are warning of a "market crisis" day after day. Investors are confused; some buy blindly believing prices are low, while others sell their entire holdings out of fear. However, this extreme volatility is not merely fear. It is a phenomenon where massive selling by foreign investors clashes head-on with concentrated buying by retail investors, and semiconductor earnings… Read more

With the deadline for provisional tax returns approaching in August 2026, new rules that will significantly impact next year's capital gains tax have been finalized. According to the tax reform plan announced on August 3, the heavy capital gains tax system for multi-home owners will be temporarily eased starting in 2027; this is a crucial point that anyone filing a provisional return this year must be aware of. If you are currently planning to sell a home, you must accurately determine how the tax rates differ between 2026 and 2027, and when the easing will take effect. This is especially true for multi-home owners in designated adjustment areas… Read more

With the EV chasm dragging on, you may be wondering if secondary battery-related stocks can recover their earnings solely through demand from ESS and AI data centers. To answer upfront, while ESS is clearly a new growth engine, it is not a panacea capable of simultaneously boosting the profitability of all stocks. Starting from the second quarter of 2026, ESS shipments and orders from cell manufacturers increased, and demand for power backup for AI data centers also grew. However, after separating the effects of tax credits, exchange rates, and customs refunds, and determining whether a company actually translates into revenue from ESS, UPS, and BBU… Read more

“It is easy to assume that LG Energy Solution’s core business has already recovered simply by looking at the phrase ”turnaround to profitability in the second quarter.” To start with the conclusion, while the second quarter of 2026 results turned to an accounting profit, the core battery business—excluding AMPC—remained in the red, and the stock price outlook depends on the speed at which ESS growth translates into earnings. It is clear that ESS has emerged as a new growth axis amidst the continuing slowdown in electric vehicle battery demand. However, since the structure does not dictate that increased orders and revenue immediately translate into improved profit margins, … Read more