South Korean Shares Rise on AI Investment Push

2026-08-11 01:41 By Erika Ordonez 1 min. read

The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.73% to close at 6,346 on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session, supported by plans to accelerate AI-related investment.

The government plans to enact a special law this year to streamline the implementation of AI investment projects, including a semiconductor cluster backed by combined investment commitments of 800 trillion won from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

Sentiment was also supported by strong semiconductor exports, which surged 155.4% year-on-year in the first 10 days of August to $9.95 billion amid robust global AI demand.

Meanwhile, gains were tempered by overnight weakness in US technology stocks and higher oil prices amid uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Large-cap performance was mixed, as Samsung Electronics jumped 4.02% and SK hynix rose 0.70%, while Hyundai Motor (-1.10%), LG Energy Solution (-3.67%), KB Financial (-2.56%), Hanwha Aerospace (-4.69%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-5.45%) posted losses.



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South Korean Shares Rebound
The benchmark KOSPI climbed more than 1% to around 6,650 on Thursday, rebounding from the previous session as risk sentiment improved following overnight gains on Wall Street and easing Middle East tensions. President Donald Trump said renewed US attacks on Iran would likely be short-lived, while oil prices edged lower, easing concerns over inflation and energy prices. Tech stocks led the gains, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix rising more than 1% each. Other notable performers included SK Square (1.0%), Hyundai Motor (1.3%), LG Energy Solution (6.3%), KB Financial Group (5.8%), Hanwha Aerospace (2.4%), Doosan Enerbility (3.0%), Shinhan Financial Group (3.8%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (2.7%). However, gains were tempered by renewed concerns over potential US semiconductor tariffs, as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the administration is considering a targeted policy tying tariff relief to investment in US chip manufacturing.
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South Korean Shares Slide on Middle East Risks
The benchmark KOSPI slipped 3.99% to close at 6,563 on Wednesday, reversing gains from the previous session, as escalating US-Iran hostilities pushed oil prices higher and weighed on global risk sentiment. Brent crude climbed above $95 per barrel while WTI rose above $90, raising concerns over energy costs and inflation amid risks of disruptions to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, the US 10-year Treasury yield climbed to its highest level since January 2025, adding pressure on equities and technology stocks. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix plunged 4.02% and 4.67%, respectively. Notable declines were also recorded in SK Square (-7.69%), Hyundai Motor (-5.74%), LG Energy Solution (-5.45%), Hanwha Aerospace (-3.78%), Doosan Enerbility (-5.65%), and Kia Corporation (-5.26%). South Korea’s annual inflation rose to 3.1% in August from 2.8% in July, although the government estimated price growth at around 2.5% excluding a temporary mobile-bill base effect.
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South Korean Shares End Higher
The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.23% to close at 6,836 on Tuesday, extending gains for a second straight session as technology shares recovered from early losses. Samsung Electronics rose 0.38%, while SK hynix advanced 1.14%, alongside gains in SK Square (2.89%), Samsung C&T (3.72%), Shinhan Financial Group (2.02%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (0.78%). The rebound was supported by strong August export data, with total shipments surging 68.7% year-on-year to $98.25 billion and semiconductor exports jumping 209% to a record $46.65 billion on robust AI infrastructure demand. The data reinforced expectations for strong earnings among major chipmakers and helped lift technology shares in afternoon trading. Meanwhile, renewed US-Iran clashes, higher oil prices and hawkish remarks from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh continued to weigh on sentiment, raising concerns over inflation and further interest-rate increases.
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