SK Hynix, Samsung slump, dragging Kospi 4.6% lower while Kosdaq holds firm - KED Global

South Korean stocks diverged on Thursday as SK Hynix Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. plummeted under heavy foreign selling pressure, dragging the Kospi index down 4.6%. The market volatility reflects... Read original →

The recent plunge in South Korean stocks highlights the fragility of the global semiconductor sector amid shifting expectations for AI chip performance. The sharp decline of SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics dragged the Kospi index by 4.6%, signaling investor intolerance for underperformance in high-end chip technologies. Foreign selling pressure reflects growing concerns over supply chain resilience, especially as geopolitical tensions intensify between the U.S. and China, impacting Taiwan, China’s tech supply chains. This volatility may prompt competitors to accelerate R&D investments or vertical integrations to reduce reliance on external suppliers. Over the next 12–24 months, the industry is likely to undergo structural consolidation, with innovation and delivery capability becoming key determinants of market confidence. Companies that fail to meet performance benchmarks risk sustained valuation pressure.