Every economist surveyed expects a Korean rate hike this week — and HBM prices are about to double.
All 20 economists in a Seoul Economic Daily survey expect the Bank of Korea to raise its base rate by 0.25 percentage points to 3.75% on Thursday, the first hike since January 2023. Sixteen expect a second hike before year-end, as growth and inflation forecasts both moved higher on a semiconductor upcycle. Separately, HBM4 contract prices are set to jump from about $2 to $4-5 per gigabit next year, handing Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix stronger pricing power as they finalize 2027 supply deals. For global investors, the combination reshapes both the rate-hedging math and the earnings outlook for Korea's largest exporters.
Sources:
Bank of Korea Rate Hike Survey: All 20 Economists Expect Increase This Week — Seoul Economic Daily, July 12, 2026
HBM4 Prices Set to Double Next Year as Samsung, SK Hynix Gain Leverage — Seoul Economic Daily, July 12, 2026
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#BankOfKorea #InterestRates #HBM4 #Semiconductors #KoreaEconomy #KOSPI #AIPRISM #SeoulEconomicDaily #WANIFRA
