Citi expects that South Korean companies will reach a record high in global equity and debt financing in 2026

Citigroup expects that by 2026, the issuance scale of South Korean companies in the global bond and stock markets will reach a record high. Companies are raising growth funds through international investors, with SK Hynix's $26.5 billion U.S. listing being the most prominent. Jangho Park, CEO of Citigroup Global Markets Korea, stated that South Korea has an increasing number of world-class companies and emerging industry leaders, who are increasingly utilizing capital markets with competitive financing conditions to raise funds for their growth objectives.

As Citigroup makes this forecast, the two major chip manufacturers in South Korea are becoming the main beneficiaries of global artificial intelligence infrastructure construction. South Korea is seeking to encourage companies, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, to invest at least 135 trillion won ($975 billion) in chip and data center construction, although many projects are still in the early planning stages.