▲ AI PRISM* Customized Economic Briefing
*Editor's Note: 'AI PRISM' (Personalized Report & Insight Summarizing Media) is an 'AI-based customized news recommendation and summary service' developed with support from the Korea Press Foundation. It selects and provides six tailored news items for each reader type.
[Key Issue Briefing]
■ AI Big Tech Accelerates In-House Chip Development, Nvidia's Dominance Shows Cracks: AI model operators including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Meta are racing to develop their own chips to reduce dependence on Nvidia GPUs. With Nvidia controlling 90% of the data center chip market, an accelerating move away from Nvidia could significantly reshape the semiconductor supply chain and AI infrastructure investment landscape.
■ Hormuz Strait Effectively Blocked, Energy Supply Chain Crisis Deepens: Despite a two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire, only 22 vessels passed through the strait over three days while some 2,000 ships remain stranded. Iran has struck Saudi oil pipelines to maximize its bargaining power. With Saudi daily production capacity down approximately 600,000 barrels and Petroline transport volume reduced by 700,000 barrels, pressure for international oil prices to surge again is intensifying.
■ Short Selling Concentrated on Korean Semiconductor and Chemical Stocks, Hybrid ETF Inflows Expand: Short selling net position ratios for Hanmi Semiconductor (042700.KS) and Kolon Industries have remained in the top ranks for six consecutive trading days, creating continued supply pressure. As volatility increased due to U.S.-Iran war risks, 106.2 billion won has flowed into Nasdaq 100-U.S. Treasury hybrid ETFs this year alone, reflecting surging demand for safe assets.
[News of Interest to Global Investors]
- Key Summary: According to Reuters, Anthropic, developer of the AI model "Claude," is considering in-house chip development, while OpenAI partnered with Broadcom on customized chips in October last year. Google has been a pioneer, developing TPUs for over a decade, and Amazon's estimated annual revenue from its own AI chips has surpassed $20 billion. Meta signed a $35.2 billion (52 trillion won) data center contract with CoreWeave while declaring plans to release its own chips every six months. However, analysts note that replacing Nvidia in the short term will be difficult given that personnel and manufacturing process costs alone for advanced AI chip design reach $500 million.
- Key Summary: Despite a two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, only 22 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz over three days, with some 2,000 vessels still stranded. Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei emphasized he would escalate the level of strait control, and an Iranian lawmaker introduced a bill to permanently ban U.S. and Israeli oil tankers from passing. Iran's extensive strikes on Saudi energy facilities reduced daily production capacity by approximately 600,000 barrels and Petroline transport volume by 700,000 barrels. Bloomberg reported that international oil prices could surge again if alternative routes are also threatened. Brent crude fell more than 13% on the 8th before reversing to a 1% gain on the 9th.
- Key Summary: Hanmi Semiconductor's short selling net position ratio rose from 5.71% to 6.34%, while Kolon Industries increased from 5.09% to 5.53%, ranking first and second for six consecutive trading days. By short selling net position value, Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) leads at 1.6015 trillion won, followed by Hanmi Semiconductor (1.5324 trillion won) and Mirae Asset Securities (006800.KS) (814.4 billion won). During the same period, Hanmi Semiconductor shares rose 13.94% and Kolon Industries gained 23.29%, yet short sellers maintained their positions, raising concerns about increased future volatility. IBK Investment & Securities analyzed that Kolon Industries' industrial materials profitability is recovering in earnest due to rising tire cord spot prices and improved aramid utilization rates.
4. U.S. Bond Hybrid ETFs Boosting Pension Account Efficiency... 100 Billion Won Inflows This Year
- Key Summary: The ACE U.S. Nasdaq 100-U.S. Treasury Hybrid 50 Active ETF attracted 106.2 billion won in inflows this year alone, with net assets of 626 billion won, the largest among six domestically listed Nasdaq 100 bond hybrid ETFs. Demand surged for products combining bonds for stability as stock market volatility increased due to U.S.-Iran war risks. Using this product to meet the 30% safe asset requirement in retirement pension accounts allows investors to raise their overall equity allocation to up to 85%, making it highly efficient in practical terms. Nam Yong-su, Head of ETF Operations at Korea Investment Management, stated the company has differentiated competitiveness in terms of management scale and experience.
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