Samsung Electronics

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: 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.

Market Chatter: Samsung Electronics to Discontinue Consumer Electronics Products Sales in China

Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) plans to discontinue ​sales of some of its consumer electronics products in China amid strong competition with the firm's Chinese rivals, Reuters reported Thursday, citing a company statement.While Samsung Electronics' memory chip business is benefiting from the AI boom, its TV, home appliances, and smartphone segments face strong competition, the report said.The consumer electronics products maker said Monday that it had replaced the head of its TV business for the first time in over two years, according to the report.(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.)

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.

Market Chatter: Samsung Electronics' Market Valuation Tops $1 Trillion on Strong AI Chip Demand

Shares of Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) surged nearly 12% in Wednesday morning trade to hit a market valuation of $1 trillion, 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, the report said.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, it said.The firm's semiconductor wing had posted 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, 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: Samsung, Apple Said in Talks for Potential US Chips Supply

Samsung Electronics Co (KRX:005930) reportedly met with Apple executives for a possible chipmaking services and supply deal in the US.Bloomberg News reported Tuesday, citing unnamed sources, that the South Korean chipmaker held meetings at its Texas plant, which is still under development, for its potential production of main processors for Apple devices.Aside from Samsung, Apple is also said to be in talks with Intel as it mulls an alternative supplier to its longtime partner, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. No orders have been made yet and Apple may ultimately decide not to pursue a secondary option, the report added.Apple, Intel and Samsung did not immediately respond to' requests for comment.(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: SK Hynix Shares Gain 13% After US Tech Giants Signal No Slowdown in AI Spending

Shares of SK Hynix (KRX:000660) closed nearly 13% higher on Monday, ending trading at a new high of 1,447,000 won per share, after all four of ⁠the US tech giants indicated that spending on AI will not slow down, Reuters said in a same-day report.Total AI spending is estimated to surpass $700 billion in 2026, up from about $600 billion previously, as Microsoft and Meta announced larger-than-expected capital expenditure plans, which were partly led by higher memory chip prices, while maintaining confidence in their investments, the report said.In addition, Bank of Korea Senior Deputy Governor Ryoo Sang-dai said that the current chip market boom is likely to last longer as compared to past cycles, echoing similar outlooks from Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix during their earnings calls in April, 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.)

Nomura Adjusts Samsung Electronics' Price Target to KRW340,000 From KRW320,000, Keeps at Buy

Samsung Electronics' Q1 Results Soar Eightfold to Record High

Samsung Electronics' (KRX:005930) operating income surged eightfold in the first quarter, an all-time high, as sales rose to a quarterly record.Operating income surged 756% to 57.2 trillion won, up 756% from 6.69 trillion won a year earlier, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.LSEG SmartEstimate forecast operating profit of 55.28 trillion won, CNBC reported separately.The South Korean chipmaker's sales jumped 69% year over year to an all-time quarterly high of 133.9 trillion won from 79.14 trillion won.Forecasts by LSEG SmartEstimate showed revenue to have reached 132.69 trillion won, according to CNBC.Samsung Electronics' device solutions division posted an operating profit of 53.7 trillion won as sales surged 86% quarterly to 81.7 trillion won, due to an increase in average selling prices, according to a Thursday news release.The company's semiconductor arm surpassed quarterly sales by addressing high-value-added artificial intelligence demand. Industry-wide memory price increases also contributed to the surge, Samsung said.Results at the semiconductor unit also surpassed the average analyst estimate of 35.3 trillion won, Bloomberg reported separately the same day.The device experience division's sales rose 19% on the launch of Samsung's new flagship smartphones.Sales in the area also grew despite an increase in cost pressures, Samsung said.The display division's operating profit reached 400 billion won, while consolidated revenue reached 6.7 trillion won.Its small and medium display business saw lower results due to seasonal effects and high memory prices.The mobile or MX business, saw profit rise to 2.8 trillion won while sales jumped to 38.1 trillion won, attributable to a "premium product mix," Samsung said.Samsung Electronics forecasts semiconductors to steer growth in the second quarter, with the memory business expected to stay strong despite AI infrastructure expansion in the three months through June.Memory demand is seen to stay strong in the second half with increasing adoption of AI and large language model services, Samsung said.By the second quarter, Samsung forecasts full use of advanced-node production lines.

Samsung Electronics' Q1 Operating Income, Sales Jump

Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) posted first-quarter operating income of 57.23 trillion won, up 756% from 6.69 trillion won a year earlier, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.The South Korean chipmaker's sales jumped 69% year over year to an all-time quarterly high of 133.87 trillion won from 79.14 trillion won.

South Korean Shares Open at New High on Samsung Electronics, US Big Tech's Stellar Q1 Earnings

South Korean shares opened higher on Thursday, starting the trading at a new high after market mover Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) reported strong first-quarter sales and operating income.In addition, strong Q1 earnings by top US firms such as Alphabet, Amazon.com, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft also boosted sentiment. The strong results also restored investor confidence in the AI sector boom.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose by 48.49 points, to open at 6,739.39. The Kosdaq marginally gained to open at 1,224.75.Samsung Electronics posted first-quarter operating income of 57.2 trillion won, up 756% from 6.69 trillion won a year earlier. The South Korean chipmaker's sales jumped 69% year over year to 133.9 trillion won from 79.1 trillion won.The company said that its highest-ever quarterly revenue and operating profit were achieved via AI technology innovation and proactive market response. Favorable currency movements, particularly a stronger greenback, raised operating profit by about 1.8 trillion won on-quarter in Q1, primarily driven by the company's parts business.

Market Chatter: Samsung Electronics to Exit China's Home Appliance and Television Market in 2026

Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) plans to exit the Chinese home appliance and television market and instead focus on its U.S. business, Nikkei Asia reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.The South Korean company plans to gradually deplete its inventory in China and end sales in the country this year, the report said.Another reason for exiting the Chinese market is the strong competition with the firm's Chinese rivals, the report said.Samsung has not made any decisions on the matter, the company reportedly told Nikkei.Shares of the company fell more than 1% 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.)

Market Chatter: South Korea Becomes Eighth-Largest Stock Market in the World

South Korea became the eighth-largest stock market in the world after the total market capitalization of South Korean-listed companies surged over 45% in 2026 to hit $4.04 trillion, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday.South Korea surpassed the UK to take the spot, with the total market capitalization of UK-listed firms gaining about 3% to reach $3.99 trillion, the report said.The surge in Korean stock prices is a result of gains made by firms related to AI, in particular, Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660). These two firms make up for more than 40% of the total market capitalization of the country's primary index, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, according to the report.The surge in Korean stock prices is similar to gains in Taiwan, which overtook the UK in April to become the world's seventh-largest equity market. Taiwan's rally was driven largely by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TPE:2330), which makes up about 45% of its benchmark index. Taiwan's total market value has hit $4.48 trillion, 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.)

South Korean Shares Close at New High on Chip, Power Equipment Gains

South Korean shares closed at a new high on Monday, with the primary index crossing the 6,600 level amid a rally led by chip stocks and power equipment manufacturers.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 139.4 points, or 2.2%, to end at 6,615.03. The Kosdaq also increased by 22.34 points, or 1.9%, to close at 1,226.18.Shares of chipmakers such as Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) added over 2% and nearly 6% at market close, while those of Kosdaq-listed Fadu (KOSDAQ:440110) jumped over 19%.Gains were also driven by shares of power equipment manufacturers LS Electric (KRX:010120) and Hyosung Heavy Industries (KRX:298040), which added nearly 13% and 11%, respectively.In corporate news, Fadu posted first-quarter net income of 10.2 billion won, rebounding from a net loss of 12.1 billion won a year earlier, according to a Monday filing with the Korea Exchange.The South Korean chipmaker's sales revenue surged 210% year over year to 59.5 billion won from 19.2 billion won.

Samsung Electronics Introduces Samsung Wallet Trips for Travelers

Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) introduced a new service called Samsung Wallet Trips, which is designed to improve the travel experience for Galaxy users, the electronics products maker said in a Monday release.The service allows users to manage boarding passes, hotel bookings, and event tickets in one place through the Samsung Wallet app. The service combines information spread across multiple platforms, the release said.The service allows direct registration of reservations and tickets, while Samsung Knox ensures data protection via encryption and biometric authentication, it said.Shares of Samsung Electronics rose nearly 1% in recent trade.

South Korean Shares Open Higher Despite US-Iran Tension

South Korean shares opened higher on Monday despite the ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions, with no definitive solution to the U.S. blockade of the key Strait of Hormuz and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian telling Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif that Tehran will not negotiate with the U.S. under siege, threats, or pressure.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, gained 0.9%, or 57.97 points, to open at 6,533.60. The Kosdaq gained 9.29 points to open at 1,213.13.Amid the regional tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, with talks expected to focus on the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, regional tensions, and broader negotiations involving the US and Israel.Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to international organisations in Vienna, said Monday that the U.S. must leave behind "blackmailing" and "ultimatums" in its negotiations with Iran if talks are to move forward.Market movers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) added 1.82% and 5.24% in Monday morning trade.

South Korean Shares End Flat on Friday as Investors Weigh Middle East Tensions

South Korean shares closed flat on Friday as investor sentiment remained muted amid little progress in the U.S.-Iran conflict resolution.President Donald Trump said the US had total control of the Strait of Hormuz and had ordered the U.S. Navy to shoot and kill boats laying mines in the strait, while Iran has also reportedly reactivated its air defense systems.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi fell 0.18 points to end at 6,475.63. The Kosdaq increased by 29.53 points, or 2.5%, to close at 1,203.84.Investors particularly purchased shipbuilding stocks such as HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KRX:009540) and Samsung Heavy Industries (KRX:010140), which offset the declines by major technology and automotive stocks such as Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380), and Kia (KRX:000270).In corporate news, Hana Financial Group (KRX:086790) plans to retire about 1.8 million treasury shares, valued at 200 billion won, according to a Friday filing with the Korea Exchange. Shares of the group rose 2% at market close.In other news, GigaVis (KOSDAQ:420770) secured a contract to supply semiconductor substrate inspection and repair equipment to domestic chip substrate manufacturers, according to a Friday filing with the Korean Exchange. Shares of the industrial machinery and electronic parts manufacturer jumped more than 9% at market close.

Tech Rally, US-Iran's Ceasefire Extension Push Kospi to New High

South Korean shares closed at a new high on Thursday, just shying away from touching the 6,500 level, as investor optimism rose after the US and Iran extended their ceasefire indefinitely. In addition, SK Hynix's (KRX:000660) stellar first-quarter earnings also buoyed sentiment.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 57.88 points, or 0.9%, to end at 6,475.81. The Kosdaq, however, decreased by 6.81 points, or 0.6%, to close at 1,174.31.Technology stocks such as Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and LG Corporation (KRX:003550) also drove gains, as investors focused on their upcoming first-quarter earnings releases. Shares of Samsung Electronics added over 3% while those of LG Corp. added nearly 2% at market close.In economic news, South Korea's real gross domestic product increased 3.6% in the first quarter of 2026 from the same period last year, following a 1.6% annual expansion in the prior quarter, an advance estimate by the Bank of Korea indicated on Thursday.According to a median forecast of economists polled by Reuters, the country's real GDP was expected to grow 2.7%.On a quarterly basis, the economy grew by 1.7% in Q1, which also surpassed the Reuters estimate of 1%.Meanwhile, gross domestic income increased 12.3% on an on-year basis and 7.5% on an on-quarter basis in Q1In corporate news, Tovis (KOSDAQ:051360) posted first-quarter net income attributable to shareholders of 16.05 billion won, up 77% from 9.07 billion won a year earlier, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.The South Korean display models manufacturer's sales jumped 10.4% year over year to 169.8 billion won from 153.8 billion won.Shares of Tovis rose more than 4% at market close.

Market Chatter: Samsung Workers to Hold Rally Amid Labor Unrest

About 37,000 unionized Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) workers plan to participate in a rally on Thursday in South Korea, Reuters reported on the same day.The protest will be held at the South Korean company's chip complex in Pyeongtaek, the report said.In March, unionized Samsung workers authorized a strike in May over wage disputes.Shares of Samsung rose more than 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.)