[Market Focus] VM Grows Alongside SK Hynix Investment

VM, the only domestic etching equipment manufacturer, is showing strong performance. Securities firms attribute this to the company's improved earnings, which began after SK Hynix resumed its investments last year. This analysis appears to be influencing the stock price.

As of 9:23 a.m. on August 11, VM was trading at 11,380 won, up 1.97% from the previous trading day.

Kim Gwangjin, a researcher at Hanwha Investment & Securities, stated that VM "successfully turned a profit in the first quarter of this year" and predicted that "profits will be maximized starting in the second half of this year."

He further estimated, "The supply of etching equipment for SK Hynix this year is expected to be around 25 units," explaining that "this represents more than double the amount compared to last year." He added, "Operating profit in the second half of this year is estimated to reach 13.8 billion won," and noted, "The current share price is only at about 9 times the price-to-earnings ratio (PER) based on next year's projected earnings."

Kim also analyzed, "VM entered the SK Hynix etching process in 2016," and "succeeded in fully localizing the metal process around 2021." He emphasized, "The company is also expanding into the relatively more complex poly process," and "has worked to further increase its market share within the etching process."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.