'Semiconductor Equipment Stocks' Rise in Tandem Despite Concerns Over U.S.-Led AI Investment [Stock NOW]

[Financial News] While the KOSPI Composite Index is showing weakness, the medical and precision instrument sector is displaying the strongest upward trend in the stock market today.
In particular, among the constituent stocks of the sector, semiconductor equipment manufacturers D I Corp, KCTech, and Mirae Industry are rising in tandem, leading the rise in the sector index.
According to the Korea Exchange (KRX) as of 10:31 a.m. on the 15th, the Medical and Precision Instruments sector index stood at 1,656.55, up 45.14 points (2.80%) from the previous trading day, recording the highest growth rate among major sectors. At the same time, the KOSPI Composite Index rose by only 0.02%, highlighting the distinct differentiation among sectors.
The stocks leading the sector rally are semiconductor equipment stocks. KCTech is trading at 70,600 won, up 5.86%; D I Corp at 30,600 won, up 4.26%; and Mirae Industry at 5,880 won, up 2.80%. Although all three stocks are classified under the Medical and Precision Instruments sector by the Korea Exchange (KRX), their actual core business is semiconductor equipment.
D I Corp's investor sentiment is particularly supported by the successive orders related to High Bandwidth Memory 4. D I Corp's subsidiary, Digital Frontier, secured a large-scale order for High Bandwidth Memory 4 wafer testers from SK hynix this year, and also signed a contract for inspection equipment worth a total of 142.3 billion won with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. in June and July.
Hanwha Investment & Securities Co., Ltd. analyzed that large-scale orders from memory test equipment manufacturers have recently been increasing, and that orders for High Bandwidth Memory 4 wafer testers from D I Corp affiliates will reach 232.1 billion won this year.
KCTech is a semiconductor front-end equipment manufacturer specializing in CMP and wet cleaning equipment. This is interpreted as reflecting expectations that demand for related equipment could increase if Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and SK hynix continue their transition to finer processes and expand their memory production.
Mirae Industry is also riding the same trend, focusing on test handlers used in the semiconductor back-end process. As the production of high-performance memory, including High Bandwidth Memory 4, expands and the importance of semiconductor inspection and testing processes grows, expectations for related equipment manufacturers to benefit continue to rise.
The simultaneous rise of the three stocks on this day can be seen as a reflection of the perception that the potential for domestic semiconductor equipment manufacturers to benefit from substantial capital investment remains valid, despite concerns regarding AI investment originating from the U.S. This is further supported by the fact that the recent expansion of High Bandwidth Memory 4 mass production by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and SK hynix is leading to orders for back-end process equipment, such as wafer testers and burn-in devices.
The strength in the medical and precision instrument sector today is closer to a phenomenon where the "strength in semiconductor equipment stocks" is reflected in the sector index, rather than a medical device theme. Even though High Bandwidth Memory-related stocks generally underwent a correction yesterday, selective buying is seen flowing in today, centered on equipment stocks where actual orders and investment cycles are being confirmed.
[email protected] Kang Jung-mo Reporter