Anthropic listing sends SK hynix up 5% ... KOSPI smiles for the first time in a while [fn Closing Market Report]

[Financial News] South Korea’s stock market rose more than 3%, buoyed by improved investor sentiment following U.S. AI company Anthropic’s IPO filing. As concerns about AI investment eased, large-cap semiconductor stocks, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, rose. Foreign investors and institutions both posted net purchases, and a buy-sidecar was triggered during the session.
According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed at 5,638.34 on the 27th, up 3.09% from the previous trading day. It opened at 5,658.65 and briefly topped the 5,700 mark during the session, but its gains narrowed amid selling by individual investors. By investor group, foreign investors and institutions bought a net 593 billion won and 280.4 billion won, respectively, while individual investors sold a net 947.8 billion won.
A buy-sidecar was triggered in the KOSPI market that morning as buying intensified. At 10:13 a.m., the Korea Exchange suspended the effectiveness of program-trading buy orders for five minutes after KOSPI 200-related futures prices remained at least 5% above the benchmark price for one minute. It was the 53rd sidecar triggered in the KOSPI market this year and the 26th in the buy direction.
Samsung Electronics closed up 4.23% at 222,000 won, while SK hynix finished 5.18% higher at 1,341,000 won. Semiconductor stocks also stood out among the top companies by market capitalization. SK Square and Samsung Electro-Mechanics surged in the 7% range, while Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung C&T rose in the 3% range and LG Energy Solution gained in the 2% range.
A key driver of the rebound was improved investor sentiment toward AI investment following Anthropic’s IPO filing. In overnight trading in the U.S., buying flowed into stocks, particularly semiconductor shares, after reports that Anthropic had filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index also rose 2.82% from the previous day.
The KOSDAQ closed at 743.83, up 2.29% from the previous day. By investor group, institutions and foreign investors bought a net 150.2 billion won and 19.1 billion won, respectively, while individual investors sold a net 165.9 billion won. All stocks ranked second through tenth by market capitalization rose, except Alteogen, which was unchanged. EcoPro (6.46%) and EcoPro BM (5.36%) advanced, as did semiconductor equipment makers ILSUNG (4.00%) and SIMMTECH (8.57%).
Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, explained, “As improved earnings at Anthropic raised expectations for the monetization of AI investments, investor sentiment recovered, led by semiconductor stocks.” The researcher added, “Expectations ahead of SK hynix’s earnings announcement also contributed to the strength in semiconductor stocks.”
[email protected] Han Young-jun Reporter