Nomura (US:NMR) Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2025-11-21 06:28Core Insights - South Korea is experiencing a macroeconomic feast driven by AI, which generates dollars through exports, converting them into domestic liquidity that is ultimately absorbed by the real estate and stock markets [1] Semiconductor Supercycle - The global semiconductor industry is entering a structural uptrend driven by AI computing and cloud infrastructure, marking a significant departure from the cyclical rebounds seen in previous years [1][3] - Nomura forecasts that chip export growth will surge from approximately 25% in 2025 to 50-60% in 2026, indicating a robust demand environment [1][4] Economic Predictions - Nomura maintains a non-consensus view that the Bank of Korea will keep the terminal interest rate at 2.50% for an extended period, dismissing further rate cuts [3][21] - The GDP growth forecast for South Korea has been raised from 1.9% to 2.3% for 2026, surpassing market consensus due to the wealth effect from rising asset prices [3][13] - A significant trade surplus from chip exports is expected to lead to a surge in M1 money supply, resulting in price increases across various asset classes [3][15] Real Estate Supercycle - The real estate market in South Korea is entering a new supercycle, with the Seoul apartment price index surpassing previous highs, driven by low borrowing costs and accumulated savings [7][10] - Despite high nominal prices, the low actual borrowing costs are sustaining the market, as buyers are entering the market due to fear of missing out (FOMO) [10][11] Liquidity and Wealth Effects - The report highlights a self-reinforcing macroeconomic cycle where the global AI narrative translates into domestic asset stories, contributing to the upward pressure on asset prices [11][19] - The expected current account surplus from semiconductor trade could exceed $120 billion in 2026, significantly impacting domestic liquidity [4][15] Investment Strategies - Nomura suggests a bullish stance on capital-intensive tech stocks, particularly in the semiconductor sector and the AI value chain, while recommending a bearish outlook on interest rate cut expectations [14][21] - The automotive sector is expected to benefit from consumer recovery and recent tariff agreements between the U.S. and South Korea [21]