The KOSPI rose 3.55% to close at 8,476 on Friday, marking a record high both intraday and at the close [1].
This surge reflects a critical pivot in the semiconductor sector as South Korean firms race to dominate the artificial intelligence infrastructure market. The rally indicates strong investor confidence in next-generation memory technology despite broader volatility in foreign capital flows.
The market opened at 8,384, an initial gain of 2.43% [1]. The index ultimately settled above the 8,400 level [1]. This growth was propelled by strong corporate news, specifically an announcement from Samsung Electronics regarding the world’s first shipment of HBM4E 12-layer samples [1].
Semiconductor and AI-related stocks led the rally. Samsung Electronics closed at 317,000 KRW, representing a 5.84% gain [1]. SK Hynix also saw an increase, closing at 2,333,000 KRW with a 1.92% gain [1]. The most significant jump occurred with Samsung Electro-Mechanics, which rose 15.04% to close at 2,127,000 KRW [1].
Other market indicators show a divergence in investor behavior. For the first time, the market capitalization of the top 50 Korean conglomerates surpassed their fair-value assets [2]. However, this internal growth contrasts with a significant exit by international players. Foreign investors have conducted a net sell-off of 115 billion USD, approximately 17.1 trillion KRW, this month [2].
The rally occurred amidst this broader exodus of foreign capital, suggesting that domestic optimism and specific technological breakthroughs are currently offsetting the impact of international divestment [1], [2].
“KOSPI rose 3.55% to close at 8,476, marking a record high both intraday and at close”
The KOSPI's record high demonstrates a decoupling between domestic corporate performance and foreign investment sentiment. While the shipment of HBM4E samples positions Samsung as a leader in the AI memory race, the massive $115 billion exit by foreign investors suggests a systemic hedge against regional risks or a shift in global portfolio allocations. The fact that conglomerate market caps now exceed fair-value assets indicates a premium being placed on future AI growth over current tangible assets.
