Samsung Electronics(005930) argued on a conference call that next year's memory chip shortage will deepen, sending the KOSPI surging on the 30th as it attempts to reclaim the 6,000 level.
As of 11:24 a.m., the KOSPI index was trading at 5,827.3, up 164.06 (2.9%) from the previous session. After oscillating around the 5,600 level early in the session, the index turned higher ahead of Samsung Electronics' 10 a.m. conference call. It then extended gains, rising to as high as 5,976 intraday.
Foreign investors and institutions net bought 546.1 billion won and 1.3974 trillion won, respectively, lifting the index. Individuals alone net sold 1.9 trillion won, dragging the index lower.
Samsung Electronics was up 5% around 210,000 won, and SK hynix was down 1% around 1.38 million won, in transaction. Both rose as much as 7% and 3% intraday, but gave back a small portion of gains.
By laying out a detailed outlook for its future business on a conference call, Samsung Electronics eased concerns about the semiconductor cycle. Kim Jae-jun, head of memory strategic marketing at Samsung Electronics, said, "With the acceleration of the spread of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) related to memory supply and demand, token demand is increasing explosively," and added, "The supply shortage in 2027 will deepen further compared with this year, and the shortage will persist into 2028."
The U.S. "hawkish rate hold," which had worried the market early in the session, is losing steam. The Federal Reserve kept its policy rate at 3.5%–3.75%, but the market raised concerns that it might end up "reacting late to inflation." As U.S. Government Bonds yields jumped, New York stocks fell.
The KOSDAQ index was also trading at 663.06, up 0.36 (0.05%). After opening lower, the index is searching for direction around the 660 level. While Jusung Engineering and EcoPro are up 8%, EcoPro BM is plunging 11%.