Foreign Investors Return After a Month, and Ended Up Buying Samsung Electronics and SK hynix Again

[Financial News] Although foreign and institutional investors poured 4.5 trillion won into the market in a single day, the money was concentrated not across the broader market but in leading artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor stocks.
On the 13th, the Korea Exchange (KRX) said foreign investors bought a net 221.57 billion won in the Korea Exchange Main Board Market on the 12th. It was their first net buying in 25 trading days, since early last month. Institutions also joined the buying spree with net purchases of 228.69 billion won.
Foreign funds were effectively concentrated in SK hynix and Samsung Electronics. SK hynix ranked first in net foreign buying, drawing 128.82 billion won. Samsung Electronics followed with 97.15 billion won, then Samsung Electro-Mechanics with 40.84 billion won and NAVER with 16.67 billion won. Samsung Electronics preferred shares also attracted 15.13 billion won.
In particular, 225.97 billion won flowed into just SK hynix and Samsung Electronics, meaning most of the foreign net buying was concentrated in those two stocks. Foreign investors were effectively making a focused bet on the AI semiconductor sector rather than on the market as a whole.
Institutions also heavily bought AI semiconductor and power infrastructure-related stocks. Samsung Electronics ranked first in institutional net buying, with 109.75 billion won. It was followed by SK Square with 98.97 billion won, HANMI Semiconductor with 54.70 billion won, HD Hyundai Electric with 26.62 billion won and NAVER with 18.85 billion won.
The top institutional picks also fall within the AI semiconductor value chain. Samsung Electronics and HANMI Semiconductor are seen as direct beneficiaries of improving memory chip conditions, while SK Square is expected to benefit from the rising value of its stake in SK hynix. HD Hyundai Electric is classified as a beneficiary of expanding power infrastructure for AI data centers.
Brokerage analysts interpret the return of foreign investors not as simple bargain hunting, but as a strategic bet on an improving memory chip cycle. Noh Geun-chang, a researcher at HYUNDAI MOTOR SECURITIES CO., LTD., said, "Demand for memory semiconductors will continue to rise as AI agents spread, while supply shortages are likely to persist until the first half of 2028 due to longer factory construction periods and equipment bottlenecks." He added, "Memory prices could rise more than expected."
Expectations for SK hynix remain strong as well. Kim Sun-woo, a researcher at Meritz Securities Co., Ltd., said, "DRAM makers are still maintaining conservative investment strategies, so structural supply shortages are likely to continue." He added, "Supply is not keeping up with the pace of growth in AI demand." He also said that "the issuance of ADRs and expanded shareholder returns could serve as additional factors for revaluing the company," and set a target price of 2.95 million won.

dschoi@fnnews.com Choi Du-seon Reporter