Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, which had kept up a steep rally, were down more than 3% in early trading on the 20th.
As of 9:39 a.m. that day, Samsung Electronics shares were trading at 144,300 won, down 3.35% (5,000 won) from the previous session. SK hynix shares were trading at 739,000 won, down 3.27% (25,000 won) from the day before.
Because the two stocks that have driven the KOSPI index surged in a short period, selling for profit-taking appears to be emerging.
Since the start of the year, Samsung Electronics has jumped 24.52% over 12 trading days, and SK hynix has risen 17.36%.
Han Ji-young, a Kiwoom Securities researcher, said, "The narratives surrounding the leaders remain valid, including the memory upcycle, the Mars Project, expanding global defense demand, and visibility on mass production of physical artificial intelligence (AI)," but added, "However, we cannot overlook the fatigue from rising every single day since the start of the year."
She added that it is appropriate to reflect in strategy that, in the short term, a period of moderating the pace may accompany the move.