TLDR
- Samsung and SK Hynix stocks surged 10–13% Wednesday following March’s steep decline
- South Korea’s KOSPI benchmark rallied over 8% after dropping 19%+ in March
- Middle East ceasefire expectations improved market sentiment significantly
- The chipmakers had tumbled 23–24% in March amid conflict concerns and AI memory uncertainty
- Overnight U.S. market gains, fueled by Trump’s Iran statements, provided momentum
Samsung Electronics shares soared 13% to reach 189,600 won on Wednesday’s trading session, with SK Hynix advancing approximately 11% to 893,000 won. The surge followed a challenging March that saw both semiconductor manufacturers experience significant declines.
South Korea’s primary stock index, the KOSPI, jumped 8.4% to settle at 5,478.70, with the two memory chip giants accounting for much of the advance. The benchmark had plunged more than 19% during the previous month.
March proved punishing for both technology firms, with each losing approximately 23–24%. Market participants grew anxious about escalating tensions in the Middle East, sparking concerns about potential increases in manufacturing expenses and disruptions to global supply networks.
Additional pressure came from questions surrounding future demand for memory semiconductors deployed in artificial intelligence applications. Google‘s introduction of an algorithm purported to reduce AI memory consumption added to sector headwinds.
Market participants also anticipated potential declines in memory chip pricing following OpenAI’s cost-reduction initiatives. The artificial intelligence firm discontinued its video creation platform, Sora, among other budget-trimming measures.
OpenAI Partnership Remains Strategic Priority
Toward the end of 2025, OpenAI established an agreement with Samsung and SK Hynix for procurement of 900,000 DRAM wafers from the Korean manufacturers. This partnership had generated considerable enthusiasm among investors for both equities.
The semiconductor producers had enjoyed rising memory chip valuations throughout late 2025, supported by expectations that robust AI demand would exceed available supply. Recent market weakness erased portions of those earlier advances.
Analyst Han Ji-young from Kiwoom Securities attributed Wednesday’s recovery to value-seeking investors, noting that blue-chip technology stocks had declined sufficiently to attract renewed buying interest.
“The stock market is highly likely to enter a recovery phase rather than experience further decline,” Han stated in client communications.
Peace Prospects in Middle East Boost Market Confidence
Investor mood brightened following President Trump’s Tuesday statement that the United States would withdraw from Iran within two to three weeks. The president delivered these remarks during a White House press interaction.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian indicated Tehran’s willingness to conclude the conflict, while requesting certain unidentified assurances.
These developments triggered substantial gains across U.S. markets Tuesday evening, with positive momentum extending into Asian trading sessions Wednesday.
Samsung concluded Wednesday’s session at 189,600 won, approximately $125.83 in dollar terms. SK Hynix finished at 893,000 won.
The KOSPI benchmark closed at 5,478.70, registering an 8.4% single-day gain.
Despite Wednesday’s strong performance, both Samsung and SK Hynix continue trading substantially below their pre-March levels.
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