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The S&P 500 Index is currently down 1%, the Dow Jones falls by 450 points or 0.9%, the Nasdaq is down 362 points or 1.4%, the Nasdaq 100 Index drops by 407 points or 1.4%, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index slides by 460 points or 3.8%.

Glonghui, May 15 — KB Securities published a report today, raising the target price of SK hynix from 2.8 million KRW to 3 million KRW and reaffirming its “Buy” rating, mainly due to expectations that DRAM and NAND prices in the second quarter will surpass previous forecasts. KB Securities now forecasts that by 2026, DRAM prices will increase by 194% year-on-year and NAND prices by 244% year-on-year. Reflecting these projections, the firm has raised its operating profit forecasts for SK hynix for this year and next year to 277 trillion KRW (ranking 4th in the global semiconductor industry) and 428 trillion KRW, respectively—10.2% and 25.1% higher than market consensus. The operating profit margin in 2026 is expected to reach 78.1%, the highest in the world. Kim Dong-won, head of KB Securities’ research division, stated that memory semiconductors will become a scarce strategic asset that determines the overall performance of AI systems. The market capitalization of SK hynix, expected to reach 1 trillion USD (equivalent to 2.1 million KRW per share), will likely serve as a strong support line in the future.According to KB Securities data, SK hynix’s operating profit for the second quarter of this year is estimated at 70 trillion KRW, 13.4% above market expectations, representing a 660.4% year-on-year increase and an 86.3% quarter-on-quarter growth. The operating profit margin is expected to be 79.2%. The firm noted that since full-scale operation of new memory production lines is expected after 2027, supply constraints will persist. Kim stated, “The memory industry is entering an era of virtually zero supply,” and, considering major clients’ demand forecasts for 2027, memory supply next year will be even tighter than this year.

Foresight News reported that THORChain posted on X that one of the six THORChain Asgard vaults was attacked, with current losses estimated at about 10.7 million US dollars. Only the protocol’s own funds were affected and users’ individual swap transactions were not impacted. The network automatically detected abnormal activity and has suspended signing operations to prevent further outbound transactions. Currently, Churn activities are suspended, and new chains or operations requiring Churn will be delayed until the network stabilizes. THORChain has requested that all node operators immediately check the infrastructure and key management systems for anomalies. Nodes participating in the affected vault have had staked RUNE slashed for unauthorized outbound transactions. The investigation is still ongoing.