The KOSPI index set an all-time high in early trading on the 14th, reaching 3,646.77. Semiconductor stocks are leading the market higher, centered on Samsung Electronics, which reported strong earnings that day.
As of 9:32 a.m., the KOSPI index was trading at 3,645.41, up 60.86 points (1.70%) from the previous session. The KOSPI jumped to as high as 3,646.77 intraday, rewriting the record high in 2 trading days since the 10th (3,617.86).
This was thanks to an overnight tailwind from U.S. stocks and the announcement of a "surprise earnings" report by Samsung Electronics, Korea's top semiconductor blue chip. Before the regular session opened, Samsung Electronics disclosed that its preliminary results for the third quarter of this year showed sales of 86 trillion won and operating profit of 12.1 trillion won. Compared with the third quarter of last year, sales and operating profit increased 8.7% and 31.8%, respectively.
The strong results were largely driven by the revival of Samsung Electronics' core semiconductor business amid a global investment boom in artificial intelligence (AI).
As Samsung Electronics regained operating profit in the 12 trillion won range in the third quarter for the first time in roughly four years, achieving a rebound in results, buying poured in early in the session. At the same time, Samsung Electronics was trading at 95,800 won, up 2,500 won (2.68%) from the previous session. It rose to as high as 97,500 won intraday, marking a 1-year high.
There was also the impact from the U.S. market on the 13th (local time), where Broadcom surged nearly 10% and Nvidia rose 2.88%, with semiconductor names showing successive strength.
Semiconductor-related stocks are also standing out in the domestic market. At the same time, SK hynix is up 4.94% and HANMI Semiconductor is up 4.30%.
In addition, shares of semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment names are rising, including Signetics (29.95%), RF Materials (12.80%), and Qualitas Semiconductor (6.59%).