Investor sentiment improved due to expectations for AI triggered by U.S. tech giant Meta and a decline in international oil prices, allowing KOSPI to settle at the 7,100 level on the 22nd. Particularly, semiconductor substrate stocks and AI supply chain-related stocks showed strong performance together. Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, retail investors took profits, selling over 1 trillion won worth of KOSPI stocks, while continuing net purchases in KOSDAQ.
As of 11:24 a.m., KOSPI stood at 7,128.21, up 120.49 points (1.72%) from the previous trading day. Having recovered the '7,000' mark the previous day, KOSPI opened at 7,161.61, up 153.89 points (2.20%), before settling at the 7,100 level.
Particularly, semiconductor substrate and AI value chain stocks showed strong performance together. Leading semiconductor stocks Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix rose by over 2% each, while Samsung Electric rose by over 6%.
A synchronized rise in domestic stock markets occurred as semiconductor stocks surged on the New York Stock Exchange overnight. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (PHLX) rose 4.1% on Wall Street last night. Meta surged 11.43%, and Intel rose by more than 10%. AMD broke through a market capitalization of 1 trillion won for the first time in its history.
Kiwoom Securities researcher Han Ji-young stated, "Semiconductor stocks rallied together due to expectations of eased U.S.-Iran tensions leading to weak oil prices, a decline in 10-year bond yields, and news of Meta's AI success." She further diagnosed that "WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil, which had exceeded $100 for some time, fell to as low as $91, easing macroeconomic burdens and increasing stock price responsiveness to positive news."
With both international oil prices and U.S. long-term bond yields declining, macroeconomic uncertainties have also stabilized, giving semiconductor stocks momentum from positive factors. Korea Circuit surged by over 27%, and Seoul Semiconductor rose by over 6% amid expectations for increased demand for optoelectronic components. Mirae Asset Securities researcher Kim Seok-hwan analyzed, "The Meta effect has reaffirmed expectations for AI infrastructure investment, leading to overall strength in AI value chain stocks." He added, "In Korea, substrate stocks such as Korea Circuit, Daejeon Electronics, LSI Systems, and Samsung Electric showed strong performance due to news of SK Hynix expanding its package substrate supply chain."
The success of Meta's AI agent 'Muse' also drove strength in domestic AI and software sectors. Notta, listed on KOSDAQ, hit the upper limit price, while Saltlux and Cellbase AI rose by 5-6%.
At the same time, KOSDAQ stood at 842.49, up 6.22 points (0.74%) from the previous trading day. Starting with a rise of over 1%, KOSDAQ continued to see strength in materials, components and equipment stocks alongside a surge in AI and software stocks. Particularly, as demand for high-performance substrates came to the fore, Simtek rose by over 15%, and TLV surged by approximately 20%.
Shinhan Investment Corp researcher Kim Ki-baek noted, "Expectations for the UN General Assembly led to further stabilization of international oil prices, and Meta-driven AI momentum pushed KOSPI above the 120th-day line." He added, "KOSDAQ continues to show strength in materials, components and equipment stocks due to a rebound in AI investment sentiment, marking six consecutive days of gains."
Amid this trend, retail investors are selling in the KOSPI market while making net purchases in KOSDAQ. As of 11:24 a.m., retail investors made net purchases of 1 trillion 39.3 billion won in KOSPI. At the same time, they purchased 117 billion won in KOSDAQ.
In KOSPI, foreigners bought 115.3 billion won and institutional investors bought 247.6 billion won, driving the index. In KOSDAQ, foreigners and institutional investors sold 76.1 billion won and 32.7 billion won, respectively.
After the Chuseok holiday, forecasts suggest KOSPI will move beyond a trading range, raising both its upper and lower limits. Researcher Han Ji-young said, "Given the upcoming Chuseok holiday, there is a possibility that the 7,000 level could be given up again due to short-term profit-taking and sentiment," but added, "Considering downward rigidity, earnings, and valuation, it is expected that after the holiday, both lows and highs will rise within a 6,400-7,050 trading range."
in STOCK
