HYBE May Face Pressure From Higher BTS Comeback Costs — Market Talk

South Korean talent agency HYBE could face pressure from higher-than-expected costs tied to the comeback of K-pop boy band BTS after a four-year hiatus, Daiwa Capital's Joon Lee and Thomas Y. Kwon say. Increased production costs for BTS's new album, along with a higher profit-sharing ratio for artists could narrow the company's profit margins, the analysts write in a note. Daiwa lowers its 2026-2027 EPS forecasts for HYBE by 19%-30% to factor in the band's new profit-sharing ratio andincreased transportation costs for world tour concerts in coming years. The group returned to the stage in March after completing mandatory military service in Korea. (kwanwoo.jun@wsj.com)