Hanwha raises target for Korean Air stock to KRW 43,000

Published on 10/14/2026 at 04:50 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Hanwha sees KRW 5.232 trillion revenue and KRW 522 billion operating profit. Korean Air stock was KRW 30,150 on October 14, 2026 versus KRW 30,500.

Analyst target and earnings view

Hanwha Investment & Securities raised its Korean Air target to KRW 43,000 on October 12, 2026.
Third-quarter revenue is estimated at KRW 5.232 trillion and operating profit at KRW 522 billion.
On September 17, 2026, Korean Air reported standalone operating profit of KRW 260 billion for the second quarter.

Korean Air, KR7003490000, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Hanwha Investment & Securities raised its target for Korean Air Lines Co. (ISIN KR7003490000) to KRW 43,000 from the previous level on October 12, 2026, while maintaining a Buy recommendation. The move puts the target 42.62 percent above the KRX quote of KRW 30,150 at 11:27 a.m. KST on October 14, 2026. CHOSUNBIZ said the brokerage expects a third-quarter earnings surprise.

Three dated earnings developments

On September 17, 2026, Asiae reported that Korean Air generated KRW 260 billion in standalone operating profit in the second quarter, while its consolidated operating result was a loss nearing KRW 210 billion. The same report said cargo yield reached KRW 703 per ton-kilometer, the highest level since 2022.

On October 2, 2026, Financial News reported that LS Securities raised its target from KRW 33,000 to KRW 40,000 and kept its Buy rating. The brokerage forecast third-quarter revenue of KRW 5.1487 trillion and operating profit of KRW 538.4 billion, up 26.90 percent and 43.10 percent year over year.

What does the new target imply?

Hanwha estimates separate-basis third-quarter revenue of KRW 5.232 trillion and operating profit of KRW 522 billion, according to CHOSUNBIZ. The revenue estimate is 1.62 percent above the LS Securities forecast, while the operating-profit estimate is 3.05 percent below it, creating a more balanced earnings picture than the target increase alone suggests.

The differing estimates still point to the same operating drivers. Hanwha cited strong passenger demand during the summer peak season, resilient cargo rates and easing oil-price and exchange-rate pressure. It also highlighted the expected benefits of Korean Air's integration with Asiana Airlines.

KRW quote and valuation context

Korean Air stock was quoted at KRW 30,150 on the Korea Exchange on October 14, 2026 at 11:27 a.m. KST. The current quote stands within the 52-week range of KRW 21,000 to KRW 32,500, leaving the stock 7.23 percent below its 52-week high. The market capitalization was KRW 11.1 trillion on October 14, 2026.