South Korean Securities Firms' Target Price Downgrades Hit 323, Surpassing Upgrades for First Time in 2026

According to F&Guide, target price downgrade reports issued by South Korean securities firms reached 323 between July 1-16, surpassing upside revisions of 249 for the first time this year. Downgrades across shipbuilding, secondary batteries, entertainment, and other sectors reflect fading profit momentum in sectors expected to lead market rallies after semiconductor stocks paused.

Downgrade reports remained concentrated on stocks such as Hanwha Ocean (10 downgrades), Hyundai Motor and Kakao (9 each), and HYBE (8). Upside revisions concentrated on financials and cosmetics sectors, led by KB Financial (11 upgrades) and Shinhan Financial Group (10). Analysts attributed the shift to heightened caution amid market volatility and absence of clear leading sectors.