Samsung Electronics and SK hynix gain as SMCI raises earnings outlook, lifting chip stocks [STOCK NOW]

[The Financial News] Samsung Electronics and SK hynix gained ground early in the session, leading a rebound in the South Korean stock market.
The rebound in U.S. semiconductor stocks is seen as having helped, after U.S. server maker Super Micro Computer (SMCI) raised its earnings outlook on expectations of increased demand for AI platforms.
According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:13 a.m. on the 21st, Samsung Electronics was trading at 221,250 won, up 9,750 won (4.61%) from the previous session. SK hynix was up 70,000 won (5.72%) at 1,293,000 won.
Samsung Electronics’ preferred shares were also up 4.70%, while SK Square and Samsung Electro-Mechanics gained 4.06% and 1.52%, respectively, as buying appeared to flow broadly into large-cap semiconductor-related stocks.
At the same time, the KOSPI was up 161.49 points (2.91%) at 5,714.23, while the KOSDAQ was up 19.41 points (2.48%) at 801.38.
On U.S. markets, SMCI raised its preliminary revenue outlook for the first quarter of fiscal 2027 to $18.5 billion–$19.5 billion from $14.5 billion–$15.5 billion, citing increased demand for AI platforms.
Following the upgraded outlook, SMCI shares rose by around 14% in after-hours trading, and related stocks including Micron, Dell and Nvidia also gained.
Yang Hyun-kyung, an analyst at iM Securities, said, “Healthcare outperformed semiconductors in the U.S. stock market,” adding, “Pharmaceutical and biotech stocks could also continue to show relative strength in South Korea, but the extent of the market rebound is expected to depend on whether large-cap semiconductor stocks recover.”
However, it remains to be seen whether the rebound in semiconductor stocks will mark a broader trend reversal in the South Korean market. The previous day, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ closed down 3.73% and 3.33%, respectively, amid net selling by both foreign and institutional investors.
Analyst Yang said the rebound had lost momentum as institutions also shifted to net selling while foreign investors continued to sell. Yang also noted that controversy over Solidigm’s dual listing had weighed on SK hynix in particular.
Attention is focused on whether gains in large-cap semiconductor stocks will hold through the session. Analysts say the tailwind from U.S. semiconductor stocks could lead to a technical rebound in the South Korean market, but that an improvement in foreign investor flows and whether buying spreads to sectors beyond semiconductors should also be monitored.

[email protected] Kang Jung-mo Reporter