KOSDAQMachinery452190

Hbl

₩6,160▼ 1.44%2026-10-02 close
Market Cap
₩147.4B
Turnover
₩8.7B
Volume
1.4M
Shares out.
23.9M
PER
24.9×
PBR
2.8×
EPS
₩150
Dividend Yield
0.00%

PER, EPS, PBR and BPS are calculated in-house from the last 4 quarters (2025Q3–2026Q2) · Dividend yield is based on ₩0 per share · Prices as of the 2026-10-02 close

01

Report overview

After the Turnaround, Semiconductor and Glass Substrate Open the Next Chapter

Having swung from a 2024 loss to a 2025 profit, Hanbit Laser is now being tested on 2026 growth centered on semiconductor/electronics expansion and its newly completed third factory.

  1. 1

    2025 consolidated revenue reached KRW 24.2bn (+30.8%) with operating profit of KRW 1.96bn, marking a return to profit after two years

  2. 2

    The semiconductor/electronics segment expanded to around 37% of revenue as of Q3 2025, offsetting the secondary battery chasm

  3. 3

    The third factory (CR building) expansion in Daejeon was completed in April 2026, substantially expanding production capacity

  4. 4

    The company holds a domestically unique glass substrate scribing/cutting patent, drawing attention as part of the semiconductor glass substrate value chain

  5. 5

    Q1 and Q2 2026 saw a sharp sequential decline in revenue and profit due to seasonal off-peak effects

02

Business structure

Founded in 1997, Hanbit Laser is a specialized manufacturer of industrial laser and application equipment, supplying laser welding, cutting, surface treatment, and marking equipment to the automotive, secondary battery, and semiconductor industries.

The company holds a 92% share of the domestic laser VIN marker market used on Korean automakers' production lines, and it has diversified its portfolio through formation-process manufacturing and new laser development built on its secondary battery equipment technology.

As of Q3 2025, semiconductor/electronics manufacturing equipment accounted for the largest share of revenue at 37.29%, followed by automotive (EV) equipment at 31.99% and secondary battery equipment at 28.11%.

The company holds a domestically unique patent for glass substrate scribing and cutting technology, positioning it as a candidate equipment supplier for companies such as Samsung Electro-Mechanics pursuing glass substrate mass production.

It is also known as a laser equipment supplier to large secondary battery makers including LG Energy Solution. In the glass substrate laser processing space, it is mentioned alongside peers such as Laser Cell and Roche Systems.

In April 2026, the company completed an expansion of its third factory (CR building, 2,933 square meters) at its Daejeon headquarters, securing a state-of-the-art clean-type facility for large equipment manufacturing and adding more than approximately 310% additional production capacity compared to before.

The expansion was aimed at strengthening a new product lineup applying next-generation laser fusion technology and responding to high-precision laser demand from semiconductor and electronics customers.

03

Earnings trend

Quarterly revenue · Operating profit
RevenueOperating profit
Annual revenue · Operating profit
RevenueOperating profit
Quarterly results · Last 5 quarters
QuarterRevenueOperating profitOp. margin
2025Q2₩8.1B₩900M11.5%
2025Q3₩5.2B-₩300M−6.5%
2025Q4₩10.2B₩2.6B25.5%
2026Q1₩6.3B₩200M2.7%
2026Q2₩4.5B₩500M11.4%
Annual results
YearRevenueOperating profitNet income (parent)Op. marginROEDebt-to-equity
2022₩20.6B₩2.4B₩2.1B11.6%13.8%73.2%
2023₩22.7B₩600M-₩5.6B2.8%−23.6%69.4%
2024₩18.5B-₩2.6B-₩2.1B−13.8%−7.5%22.7%
2025₩24.2B₩2B₩2.4B8.1%8.0%36.2%

Consolidated basis (financial statements including subsidiaries) · Final figures from DART filings · Net income attributable to owners of the parent · Data as of 2026-09-05

04

Earnings analysis

Hanbit Laser's annual results have shown pronounced swings. Solid 2022 results of KRW 20.6bn in revenue and KRW 2.4bn in operating profit (11.6% margin) were followed by 2023, when revenue rose to KRW 22.7bn but operating profit collapsed to KRW 0.6bn (2.8% margin) and the company posted a large net loss of KRW -5.6bn.

In 2024, revenue fell to KRW 18.5bn amid the secondary battery chasm, with an operating loss of KRW -2.6bn and a net loss of KRW -2.1bn, reflecting the direct impact of weak EV and battery end-markets.

In 2025, revenue rebounded to KRW 24.2bn (+30.8%), operating profit reached KRW 1.96bn (8.1% margin), and net profit came to KRW 2.44bn, marking a return to profit after two years.

This turnaround is understood to reflect both expanded semiconductor/electronics revenue and fixed-cost reductions from operational efficiency.

On a quarterly basis, Q3 2025 was weak, with revenue of KRW 5.18bn, an operating loss of KRW -0.34bn, and a net loss of KRW -0.16bn, but the seasonally strong Q4 delivered revenue of KRW 10.2bn, operating profit of KRW 2.6bn (roughly 25.5% margin), and net profit of KRW 2.9bn, driving the full-year result.

This reconfirmed the company's structural tendency to concentrate revenue in the fourth quarter.

Entering 2026, Q1 revenue of KRW 6.33bn, operating profit of KRW 0.17bn (2.7% margin), and net profit of KRW 0.31bn showed a sharp slowdown as the seasonal off-peak set in, and Q2 revenue of KRW 4.45bn, operating profit of KRW 0.51bn (roughly 11.4% margin), and net profit of KRW 0.47bn showed a further revenue decline but a somewhat improved margin.

Cumulative owners' net profit over the trailing four quarters (Q3 2025 through Q2 2026) stood at KRW 3.52bn, a figure still heavily weighted by the strong Q4 2025 contribution.

05

Industry analysis

The global laser processing market is projected to grow at roughly 7.9% annually, driven by technological advances, expanding manufacturing automation, and government localization policies for materials, parts, and equipment, with some market research pointing to a market size of about USD 44.09bn by 2032.

Hanbit Laser's core end-markets—secondary battery and EV—are widely viewed as still being in a chasm phase. The company's CEO has said the secondary battery end-market slowdown is likely to persist at least through 2026, while also noting that new opportunities are emerging beneath the surface.

The semiconductor/electronics segment has filled this gap: its share of revenue, which stood in the low teens through 2024, expanded to around 42% in the first half of 2025 and remained near 40% in the third quarter. Semiconductor glass substrates are cited as a new growth axis.

Glass substrates offer superior fine-circuit implementation and heat dissipation compared to conventional plastic substrates, making them a next-generation material of interest for high-performance semiconductor packaging, with large domestic firms including Samsung Electro-Mechanics, LG Innotek, and SKC pursuing development and trial production.

In glass substrate laser cutting and scribing, competition has formed alongside Hanbit Laser with peers such as Laser Cell and Roche Systems also mentioned. However, the timing of glass substrate mass production remains uncertain, and the target timelines set by major customers have been observed to shift.

06

Outlook

The company has set a 2026 revenue growth target of at least 20% year over year, and market commentary has floated the possibility of revenue reaching the low-to-mid KRW 30 billion range conservatively, or as high as roughly KRW 40 billion in a favorable scenario.

The basis for this target is the third factory (CR building) expansion completed in April 2026; the company has explained that at full utilization, the new facility could support production up to roughly five times the scale of the existing factory's revenue capacity (based on an annual capacity of around KRW 100 billion).

Markets view the new factory's 2026 activation timeline, along with its design capability for large equipment production, as the key variables that will determine the pace of future revenue and order growth.

New business areas cited include AI-based equipment upgrades, robotics automation expansion, entry into glass substrate processes, and new secondary battery charge/discharge business, which are viewed as a phased growth roadmap aligned with process upgrades across end-markets.

In glass substrates, Samsung Electro-Mechanics plans to move into mass production after 2027 following customer sample promotions at its trial production line in Sejong, making the timing and outcome of any related equipment orders to Hanbit Laser an important item to watch.

In addition, in April 2026 the company was selected as the lead institution for a new 2026 Space Pioneer Program project under the Korea AeroSpace Administration to develop a microwave radiometer quasi-optical antenna system and low-noise receiver, with a consortium reportedly including a defense affiliate of LIG Nex1 and KAIST.

This represents a diversification attempt into aerospace, a field distinct from the company's existing industrial laser equipment business, and it is expected to take time before this new business contributes visible revenue.

07

Valuation

PER
24.9×
PBR
2.8×
ROE
11.8%
EPS
₩150
BPS
₩1,343
Dividend per share
₩0

Having swung from a loss in 2024 to a profit in 2025, and having sustained a positive earnings trend over the trailing four quarters, Hanbit Laser now has a stronger earnings base than in the past as a starting point for valuation.

That said, the market value the company commands relative to its net asset base tends to trade at a notable premium, which can be interpreted as partly reflecting market expectations around option value from new businesses such as glass substrates, semiconductors, and aerospace.

Because the relationship between price and earnings is difficult to compare against the periods when the company was loss-making, whether the earnings stability seen since the recent turnaround can be sustained will likely be key to how its valuation is judged going forward.

On dividends, the company has maintained a no-dividend policy in recent years, placing it on the lower end relative to peer equipment makers that do pay dividends.

A technical analysis report published by the Korea IR Association in April 2026 assessed that the company achieved a turnaround to profit in 2025 helped by a recovery in automotive- and secondary-battery-related revenue and cost stabilization.

Going forward, the pace of new factory utilization and new order intake is likely to be a key variable shaping the direction of the market's valuation of the company.

PER, EPS, PBR and BPS are all calculated in-house (the same method as Naver and Toss) · Dividend yield = cash dividend per share from DART filings (supplemented by KRX) ÷ current price · As of 2026-09-05

08

Bull factors

Turnaround to Profit and the Structural Rise of the Semiconductor Segment

In 2025, revenue reached KRW 24.2 billion (+30.8% YoY) and operating profit reached KRW 1.96 billion, marking a return to profitability for the first time in two years.

This is largely attributable to the expansion of the semiconductor/electronics segment's revenue share from around 10% in 2024 to approximately 42% in the first half of 2025.

This result reflects the absorption of new markets even as the secondary battery downstream industry went through a chasm, showing an effect of reducing dependence on a single downstream industry.

Expanded Production Capacity via the Third Factory

The 3rd plant (CR building), completed in April 2026, secured additional production capacity of over approximately 310% compared to the existing level. The company explained that once the new plant is fully operational, it will be structured to handle up to 5 times the revenue scale of the existing plant.

Designed as a clean-type facility capable of producing large equipment, it is expected to strengthen the company's ability to respond to demand for high-precision semiconductor and electrical/electronic products.

Diversification into Glass Substrates, Aerospace, and Other New Businesses

As the sole domestic holder of patents for glass substrate scribing and cutting, the company is mentioned as a candidate equipment supplier for large corporations such as Samsung Electro-Mechanics that are pursuing mass production of glass substrates.

In April 2026, it was selected as the host institution for the Space Pioneer project by the Korea AeroSpace Administration, establishing a foundation for new business based on government subsidies. However, both businesses are at an early stage, requiring time before revenue materializes.

09

Bear factors

Quarterly Earnings Volatility and Seasonality

Due to the structural characteristic of revenue being concentrated in the fourth quarter, it is difficult to gauge annual performance from the results of the first through third quarters.

In fact, in the third quarter of 2025, the company recorded revenue of KRW 5.2 billion and an operating loss, and in the first and second quarters of 2026, both revenue and profit were significantly reduced compared to the fourth quarter. This quarterly volatility makes it difficult to assess performance trends in the short term.

Potential Prolongation of the Secondary Battery/EV Chasm

The company mentioned that the stagnation in the secondary battery and electric vehicle markets, which had been the core downstream industry, is expected to continue at least through 2026.

If the reduction in investment by Korea's three major battery companies and the slump in the automotive segment persist, recovery in revenue for the related segments could be delayed. While the semiconductor segment is filling the gap, the structural dependence on downstream industries has not been completely resolved.

Thematic Trading Flows and Limited Coverage

In April 2026, as the secondary battery and glass substrate themes were simultaneously highlighted, trading volume surged and the stock hit the upper limit even without any specific disclosure, showing signs of overheating, and the possibility of being designated as an investment caution stock was also mentioned.

Some market reports note that regular securities firm coverage has not yet begun, suggesting the potential for increased volatility due to information asymmetry.

10

Risk factors

End-Market Concentration Risk

As revenue is concentrated in three segments—automotive, secondary batteries, and semiconductors/electronics—a reduction in investment in a specific industry has a direct impact on overall company performance. The deterioration in performance in 2024 was a direct result of the secondary battery chasm.

While the semiconductor segment has recently emerged as a growth driver, it may also carry a high dependence on a small number of client companies.

New Business Execution Risk

New businesses such as glass substrates, aerospace, and robotic automation are mostly at an early stage, and there is a time lag and uncertainty before they translate into actual orders and revenue contribution.

The Korea AeroSpace Administration project will proceed over a long period from March 2026 to December 2030, and its progress speed may vary depending on whether milestones are achieved.

For glass substrates as well, there remains uncertainty regarding order timing, as there has already been one instance of the client's mass production timeline being adjusted.

Financing Burden and Utilization Risk from Capacity Expansion

The expansion of the 3rd plant and ongoing facility investments could become a fixed cost burden if the initial utilization rate is low.

Investment efficiency may vary depending on the timing and pace at which the new plant reaches its target utilization rate, and the related funding structure is also a variable that could affect financial soundness going forward.

11

What to watch next

  1. Around November 2026

    Q3 2026 earnings are expected to be disclosed. This will be a point to check whether the new factory's utilization effects begin showing up post the seasonal low, and to track the semiconductor segment's revenue share trend.

  2. Q4 2026

    Confirmation is needed on whether the company's targeted 20%+ annual growth and revenue in the KRW 30-40 billion range are achieved, along with disclosures on third factory utilization rates and new orders.

  3. Q4 2026 through 2027

    Whether and when equipment orders materialize from companies such as Samsung Electro-Mechanics pursuing glass substrate mass production should be monitored, as further delays or an earlier timeline both remain possible.

  4. From 2027 onward

    It will be necessary to check whether the first milestone of the Space Pioneer Program project (antenna system and low-noise receiver design) is achieved and to what extent the new business begins contributing visible revenue.

  5. H2 2026 through 2027

    Ongoing monitoring is needed for signs of renewed investment by domestic battery makers and any easing of the chasm in the secondary battery/EV end-markets.

12

Overall view

Hanbit Laser has moved past its severe 2024 downturn, posting growth in both revenue and operating profit in 2025 and returning to profitability, a trend that has continued over the trailing four quarters.

The core driver of this improvement has been the expansion of the semiconductor/electronics segment, which filled the gap left by the secondary battery chasm, while the third factory expansion completed in April 2026 stands as a key variable shaping future production capability.

The glass substrate scribing/cutting patent and the new Space Pioneer Program project illustrate the company's diversification efforts, but both remain at an early stage where revenue visibility will take time to materialize.

On the other hand, the seasonality that concentrates revenue in the fourth quarter, the possibility of a prolonged secondary battery/EV chasm, and volatility driven by thematic trading flows remain factors that warrant balanced attention.

The pace of new factory utilization, the timing of any glass substrate orders from companies such as Samsung Electro-Mechanics, and signs of recovery in the secondary battery end-market are likely to be the key points to watch in assessing the company's future earnings trajectory.

This report does not present an investment opinion or target price, and any buy or sell decision should be made at the reader's own responsibility.

13

Sources

  1. Korea Exchange (KRX) — Prices · Market Cap · Volume
  2. FSS electronic disclosure system (DART) — Financial statements · Dividend filings
Show 18 more articles and sources
  1. markets.hankyung.com
  2. markets.hankyung.com
  3. m.thinkpool.com
  4. m.thinkpool.com
  5. comp.fnguide.com
  6. kokstock.com
  7. alphadistill.com
  8. butler.works
  9. kind.krx.co.kr
  10. goinsider.kr
  11. comp.wisereport.co.kr
  12. kind.krx.co.kr
  13. m.thebell.co.kr
  14. dartpoint.ai
  15. kind.krx.co.kr
  16. m.thebell.co.kr
  17. stockinfo7.com
  18. comp.wisereport.co.kr

Report written 2026-09-05 · Data as of 2026-09-04

This content is AI analysis of market data and web search results, provided for information only. It is not a solicitation or recommendation to invest. Investment decisions and their consequences are the investor's own responsibility. Data may be delayed or contain errors.