SK Hynix

Market Chatter: Samsung Electronics' Largest Labor Union Says Yes to Compensation Deal; Shares Jump 7%

A majority of Samsung Electronics' (KRX:005930) largest labor union approved a compensation agreement that will provide chip workers with average bonuses of about 513 million won, or $340,000 each, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday.Around 74% of union members backed the deal after weeks of negotiations, the report said.Shares of Samsung Electronics jumped 7% in recent trade.The move follows a similar bonus payout agreement reached in 2025 by competitor SK Hynix (KRX:000660), though Samsung's actual bonus payments will largely depend on earnings and chip demand, the report said.The chipmaker employs about 78,000 people in its semiconductor division. Under the new deal, workers are set to receive average bonuses of roughly 513 million won, which is sharply higher than the average annual pay of 158 million won reported last year, it said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

South Korean Equities Open to New High on Chip Stocks Rally, Middle East Optimism

South Korean stocks opened at a new high on Wednesday, led by gains made by semiconductor shares as investors assessed renewed Middle East tensions alongside efforts toward a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 2.4%, or 194.61 points, to open at 8,242.12. The Kosdaq increased 0.1%, or 1.28 points, to open at 1,173.80.Shares of key market-moving chip stocks Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) added over 6% and 9% in recent trade.Iran said Tuesday that the U.S. violated a ceasefire by striking targets near the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over efforts to end the military conflict. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal to halt the war could take "a few days" despite earlier signs of progress in talks to restore shipping through the strategic waterway.

Market Chatter: Top Five Companies Account for Over 40% of South Korea's Q1 Shipments

South Korea's top five companies accounted for more than 40% of the country's total exports in the first quarter, Yonhap News reported Sunday, citing the Ministry of Data and Statistics.The firms, including Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), posted total outbound shipments of $95.7 billion, representing 43.5% of the country's total exports in the January to March period, the report said.They raised exports by $50 billion in Q1 from a year earlier, accounting for 82.8% of the total export growth during the period, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Market Chatter: South Korea to Allow Overseas Investors to Directly Invest in ETFs

South Korea plans to allow overseas investors to directly invest in domestic exchange-traded funds (ETFs), in a bid to attract more foreign investment amid the country's primary stock market index's recent record rally, Yonhap News reported Sunday.The Financial Services Commission is pushing for regulatory revisions to give foreign investors direct access to the country's ETFs and plans to issue a prior notice in June. The measure could be introduced in the second half of 2026 if the Financial Services Commission and the finance ministry resolve withholding tax issues and brokerages conclude trading system upgrades, analysts said, according to the report.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, has surged 82% so far this year, fueled by strong gains in the stocks of Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) amid the AI boom worldwide, it said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Market Chatter: Dutch Ambassador Emphasizes Broader Chip Cooperation With South Korea Beyond ASML

The Netherlands-based chip equipment giant ASML supplies extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines to Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), however, the Netherlands' semiconductor ties with South Korea extend far beyond a single company, Peter van der Vliet, the Dutch ambassador in Seoul, told Nikkei Asia on Sunday.Dutch firms ASM International, BE Semiconductor Industries, and the research organization TNO are active partners of South Korean chipmakers, the report said.Vliet said that the two countries could deepen cooperation in next-generation chip manufacturing technologies, particularly in photonics, which uses light instead of electronics to process and transmit data in semiconductors, it said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Market Chatter: Samsung, Union Labor Talks Collapse; Strike to Proceed Thursday

Negotiations between Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and its largest labor union fell apart on Wednesday, raising the possibility of a strike that could disrupt global chip supplies and impact the national economy, Bloomberg News reported the same day.Union leader Choi Seung-ho said a general strike will proceed on Thursday, May 21, after Samsung's management rejected a government mediation proposal that had been accepted by the union, according to the report.Samsung argued the demands were "excessive," including raising compensation even for employees in loss-making divisions, the report said.South Korean labor minister Kim Young-hoon has since urged the two parties to negotiate directly hours following news of the talks collapsing, Bloomberg reported.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

South Korean Shares Lower for Second Day on Foreign Outflows, Renewed US-Iran Tension

South Korean shares closed lower for a second day on Wednesday after foreign investors continued their sell-off of Korean equities, and fresh tensions on the U.S.-Iran front made investors pessimistic about a peace pact anytime soon.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi decreased by 62.71 points, or 0.9%, to end at 7,208.95. The Kosdaq also declined by 28.29 points, or 2.6%, to close at 1,056.07.U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Washington could launch new strikes on Iran as early as next week if negotiations could not resolve the conflict and if Tehran continues to refuse the considerable concessions he wants before a deal can be framed to end the war.In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to extend a revived war beyond the Middle East if the US again began attacks against Tehran.In corporate news, Samsung Electro-Mechanics (KRX:009150) secured a supply agreement for silicon capacitors from an undisclosed client. The contract, valued at 1.56 trillion won, is valid till Dec. 31, 2028.Shares of the company jumped nearly 8% at market close.In other news, South Korea's main equity exchange, the Korea Exchange, is planning to launch weekly options on single stocks from June, expiring on Thursdays.The exchange is also gearing up to launch monthly and weekly exchange-traded fund (ETF) derivatives later in 2026, while expanding weekly options expiries for the Kospi 200 and Kosdaq 150 indexes to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from the current schedule of Mondays and Thursdays.

Market Chatter: Korea Exchange Plans to Launch Weekly Options on Single Stocks from June

South Korea's main equity exchange, the Korea Exchange, is planning to launch weekly options on single stocks from June, expiring on Thursdays, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.The exchange is also gearing up to launch monthly and weekly exchange trade fund (ETF) derivatives later in 2026, while expanding weekly options expiries for the Kospi 200 and Kosdaq 150 indexes to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from the current schedule of Mondays and Thursdays, the report said.The country's main bourse Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi is driven by gains made by heavyweight chipmakers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), which led it to surge nearly 70% on a year-to-date basis. This surge has made the Kospi the world's best-performing major equity index, it said.Shares of Samsung Electronics fell nearly 3% in recent trade.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

South Korea's Kospi Opens Lower as Rising Crude Oil Prices Stoke Inflation Fears

South Korean shares opened lower on Tuesday as a Wall Street tech slump and rising crude oil prices, driven by stalled US-Iran negotiations, raised inflation fears.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell 1.2%, or 90.38 points, to open at 7,425.66. The Kosdaq increased marginally to open at 1,111.36.Major market movers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), SK Hynix (KRX:000660), and Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380) were trading 3.2%, 3%, and 8.1% lower in Tuesday morning trade.West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed back to $107 a barrel on Monday, while Brent crude increased closer to $111, as uncertainty over US-Iran negotiations renewed concerns over its impact on supply disruptions in global energy markets.Prospects for an agreement have dimmed after reports said Iran's revised proposal fell short of US expectations. Washington considers the plan inadequate to secure a deal that would end the Middle East conflict and restore normal shipping, while Iranian officials argue US demands remain overly stringent.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.32%, while the broader S&P 500 inched down 0.07% and the tech-laden Nasdaq Composite fell 0.51%.

Nomura Adjusts SK Hynix's Price Target to KRW4,000,000 from KRW2,340,000, Keeps at Buy

South Korean Shares Rebound on Gains by Chipmakers Amid Continued US-Iran Negotiations

South Korean shares rebounded on Monday, owing to gains made by key market movers and chipmakers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), which added nearly 4% and over 1% at market close.Negotiations continue between the US and Iran, with Pakistan as the mediator, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday.Oil prices rose as much as 2% on Monday after US President Donald Trump warned that the "clock is ticking" for a peace agreement with Iran. Brent crude climbed to $110.72 a barrel by 7:30 GMT, extending gains to more than 50% since the start of the US-Israel conflict involving Iran.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi increased by 22.86 points, or 0.3%, to end at 7,516.04. The Kosdaq declined by 18.73 points, or 1.7%, to close at 1,111.09.In corporate news, Samsung Heavy Industries (KRX:010140) secured an order for three liquefied natural gas carriers from an Oceania-based shipper.The deal is valued at 1.124 trillion won. The shipbuilder will deliver the vessels by May 31, 2029, according to a Monday filing with the Korean Exchange.Shares of Samsung Heavy Industries rose nearly 1% at market close.

South Korean Shares Hit New High on Chip, Auto Gains

South Korean shares closed at a new high on Wednesday, after rebounding from the previous day's losses, owing to gains made by chip and automotive stocks.Shares of major market movers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), SK Kynix (KRX:000660), Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380), and Kia (KRX:000270) added nearly 2%, 8%, 10%, and about 7% at market close.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi increased by 200.86 points, or 2.6%, to end at 7,844.01. The Kosdaq declined by 2.36 points, or 0.2%, to close at 1,176.93.In economic news, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in South Korea in April edged up to 2.8% from 2.7% in March, data from Statistics Korea indicated Wednesday.On an annual basis, the unemployment rate remained unchanged.The number of unemployed people fell to 853,000 in April from 854,000 a year earlier.In corporate news, Hanwha Engine (KRX:082740) secured a contract for a ship engine from Hanwha Ocean (KRX:042660), according to a Wednesday filing with the Korean Exchange.The contract, valued at 354.2 billion won, is valid until June 26, 2028.Shares of Hanwha Engine rose nearly 2% at market close.

South Korean Shares Open at New High on Extended Chip Rally Despite No Progress in US-Iran Talks

South Korean shares opened at a new high on Tuesday, owing to an extended rally of chip stocks, primarily led by Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), which gained over 1% and nearly 4%, respectively, in morning trade.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose by 131.17 points to open at 7,953.41. The Kosdaq gained 7.56 points to open at 1,214.90.Investors appeared to pay no heed to the lack of progress in U.S.-Iran peace talks.U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the ceasefire with Iran was "on life support" after he rejected Tehran's latest proposal and deemed it unacceptable.Iran pushed back, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accusing the US of making unreasonable demands, while parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that the U.S. must accept the Iranian proposal, and warned that Tehran was ready to respond to any aggression.

Market Chatter: SK Hynix Shares Jump 12% Amid Strong AI Chip Demand

Shares of SK Hynix (KRX:000660) jumped nearly 12% to 18,80,000 won at market close on Monday, owing to strong demand for AI chips and gains made by American AI-related chip stocks, Nikkei Asia said in a same-day report.SK Hynix is a key conventional DRAM chip and advanced high-bandwidth memory chip supplier to global AI giants, and is also securing long-term supply agreements as technology companies around the world raise their AI infrastructure spending, the report said.As of the end of the trading session, SK Hynix had a market capitalization of about 1.3 quadrillion won, nearing the $1 trillion mark set by Berkshire Hathaway, while that of Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) reached 1.7 quadrillion won, it said.Shares of Samsung Electronics added over 6% at market close on Monday.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

South Korea's Kospi Hits All-Time High; Samsung Rises 6%

South Korea's benchmark index Kospi closed at an all-time high on Monday, with the rally driven by chip giants Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), which gained over 6% and nearly 12%, respectively.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi increased by 324.24 points, or 4.3%, to end at 7,822.24. The Kosdaq finished little changed in negative territory at 1,207.34.In economic news, South Korea's exports surged 43.7% to $18.4 billion in the first 10 days of May from $12.8 billion a year earlier, Monday data from the Korea Customs Service showed.Imports increased 14.9% to $16.7 billion, resulting in a $1.7 billion trade surplus.In corporate news, shares of Hanwha Ocean (KRX:042660) rose 3% after the company secured a 363.2 billion won order for a liquefied natural gas carrier from a Europe-based shipper.In other news, Hyundai Motor Group and Korea Aerospace Industries (KRX:047810) signed a memorandum of understanding to develop advanced air mobility solutions.Shares of Hyundai (KRX:005380) closed 5% higher, while those of Korea Aerospace edged up 2%.

South Korean Shares Open Higher on Chip Rally Despite US-Iran Peace Agreement Fallout, Oil Price Jump

South Korean shares opened higher on Monday, owing to gains made by chipmakers despite the fallout of the US-Iran peace agreement.US President Donald Trump dismissed Iran's response to the former's proposals to end the ongoing war as "totally unacceptable."The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose by 277.31 points to open at 7,775.31. The Kosdaq gained marginally to open at 1,212.88.Shares of key chipmakers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) were trading over 7% and 11% higher in Monday morning trade, tracking recent gains on Wall Street.Iran had forwarded a proposal to the US through Pakistan to end the conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire across all fronts, an end to the U.S. naval blockade, and assurance of no further attacks, according to Tasnim news agency.However, Trump on Sunday evening accused Iran of "playing games", which raised concerns over a possible fallout to reach a peace agreement between the US and Iran.In addition, oil prices jumped on Monday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the military conflict with Iran was "not over." U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures with June delivery rose 3.08% to $95.42 per barrel, while the international benchmark Brent crude futures with July delivery increased 3.16% to $104.49 per barrel.

Market Chatter: SK Hynix Receives Numerous Funding Offers Amid AI Chip Shortage

SK Hynix (KRX:000660) secured several funding offers from major global technology companies that seek to secure memory chip supplies amid the strong AI boom, Reuters reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.Memory chips are essential components of AI data centers, smartphones, personal computers, and more.The offers comprise investments in dedicated memory production lines and funding for expensive chipmaking equipment such as ASML's extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, the report said.However, SK Hynix is reportedly cautious about taking in customer financial assistance, concerned that such arrangements could tie the company to specific buyers and pressurize it to supply memory chips at lower prices under long-term contracts and stable revenue guarantees, Reuters said.Shares of the chipmaker fell nearly 2% in recent trade.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Market Chatter: South Korea Becomes World's Seventh-Largest Stock Market

South Korea became the world's seventh-largest stock market, overtaking Canada, owing to strong demand for AI chips, Bloomberg reported Thursday.The total market value of South Korean listed firms surged 71% to $4.59 trillion in 2026, surpassing Canada's stock market capitalization, which rose about 7% to $4.5 trillion during the period, the report said.Key market bigwigs and chipmakers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), which recently surpassed a valuation of $1 trillion, and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), more than doubled in valuation this year as strong demand for AI chips pushed investor appetite for the stocks, it said.Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) added rose more than 2% and 3%, respectively, at market close.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

South Korean Shares End at Fresh Highs on US-Iran Peace Hopes; SK Biopharma Rises

South Korean stocks closed at a fresh high on Thursday as investor sentiment was buoyed by optimism regarding a potential US-Iran peace agreement.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi increased by 105.49 points, or 1.4%, to end at 7,490.05. The Kosdaq slipped 0.9% to close at 1,199.18.The key index was lifted by gains in market heavyweights Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), which rose more than 2% and 3%, respectively.In economic news, South Korea's foreign reserves grew to $427.9 billion in April from $423.7 billion as of March-end, data from the Bank of Korea showed.In corporate news, SK Biopharmaceuticals (KRX:326030) finished 1% higher after posting a first-quarter attributable income of 105.2 billion won, up 351% from 23.3 billion won a year earlier.

KOSPI Hits Record High on Hopes of US-Iran Peace Agreement; Samsung Electronics Soars 14%

South Korean shares closed sharply higher on Wednesday, with the primary index shooting up to close at a record high.The rally was led by strong gains in semiconductor stocks and investor optimism for a possible peace agreement between the US and Iran after US President Donald Trump halted the military operation Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi increased 447.57 points, or 6.5%, to end at 7,384.56. The Kosdaq fell by 3.57 points, or 0.3%, to close at 1,210.17.Chipmakers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) added over 14% and nearly 11%, respectively, at market close.The Korea Exchange activated a five-minute buy-side sidecar on the country's primary stock market on Wednesday morning as investors rushed to purchase securities on hopes that the U.S.-Iran conflict may end in the near future.The Korea Exchange announced the order at 9:06 am after the KOSPI200 Futures added 66.05 points, or 6.28%, to trade at 1,116.55.In economic news, South Korea's inflation climbed 2.6% year on year in April, accelerating from a 2.2% rise in March amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, data from the country's Ministry of Data and Statistics showed on Wednesday.The headline print was in accordance with the median estimate of 2.6% in a Bloomberg survey.The increase was driven by higher costs across all categories, with transport gaining the highest at 9.7%.Meanwhile, core inflation, which measures prices of goods excluding food and energy, remained steady at 2.2% in April.In corporate news, Samsung Electronics hit a market valuation of $1 trillion on Wednesday, supported by the strong demand for AI chips, Bloomberg News reported on the same day.The South Korean chipmaker became the second Asian firm after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TPE:2330) to hit the $1 trillion mark.Overseas investors appear to be driving the recent rally in the stock, supported by a deal between Interactive Brokers and Samsung Securities (KRX:016360) that allows U.S. investors to directly buy South Korean stocks.The firm's semiconductor wing had posted a record profit in the first quarter, surpassing expectations by a wide margin on strong AI data center demand, with analysts expecting the momentum to continue in the quarters ahead as contract prices keep moving higher amid a scarce supply.In other news, LG Electronics (KRX:066570) secured the top 1% rating in credit rating agency S&P Global's Corporate Sustainability Assessment for the third straight year, the electronics products maker said in a Wednesday release.The company secured the highest score of 77 points in the Home Appliances & Leisure Goods industry group, which covers leisure equipment and products and consumer electronics.Shares of LG Electronics jumped over 8% at market close.