Citigroup economist Jin-Wook Kim says the Bank of Korea will raise the policy rate from 2.50% to 2.75% at next week’s meeting and is likely to signal a gradual hiking path. He expects the governor to indicate 25bp hikes each quarter in H2 2026 while remaining data-dependent and offering no specific guidance for H1 2027. Citigroup forecasts further hikes in July and October this year and in January and April next year. Kim adds the Bank may flag upside risks to its 2026 growth forecast after an u

港股PCB概念高開，建滔集團(00148.HK)開漲6.4%，建滔積層板(01888.HK)漲4.5%，大族數控(03200.HK)漲近3%。

A-share semiconductor materials stocks rallied; Shanghai Hejing hit its daily trading limit after its Zhengzhou subsidiary brought its Phase II 12-inch large-silicon wafer R&D and industrialization line into full production. With the line online, 12-inch epitaxial wafer capacity will gradually increase to 1.2 mln wafers/year. The company said the phased capacity release will align with domestic leading foundries' incremental demand and speed substitution of imported products, and that a planned SOI joint venture could weaken overseas vendor dominance and capture domestic substitution and emerging-application demand, amid structurally expanding high-end silicon wafer market prospects.