The KOSPI and the KOSDAQ both opened lower on the 1st before turning higher, with the main board retaking the 6,900 level and the junior market the 880 level during the session. Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and SK hynix (000660.KS) rebounded after U.S. memory chipmaker Micron Technology reported strong earnings and signaled a supply shortage ahead, while semiconductor equipment and secondary battery shares rallied together on the KOSDAQ.
The KOSPI stood at 6,919.74 as of 1:33 p.m. on the 1st, up 81.70 points, or 1.19%, from the previous session, according to the Korea Exchange. The index had opened at 6,814.49, down 0.34%, before reversing course during the session.
The KOSDAQ was at 882.88, up 26.97 points, or 3.15%, from the previous session. It opened 0.23% lower and then widened its gains on buying by institutions and foreign investors. Institutions and foreign investors were net buyers of 240.7 billion won and 175.1 billion won, respectively, while individual investors sold a net 390.5 billion won.
Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics traded at 273,500 won, up 1.86%, and SK hynix at 1.813 million won, up 2.08%. Samsung Electronics preferred shares rose 3.48%, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics (009150.KS) gained 2.51%, Samsung Biologics (207940.KS) 2.52%, LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) 0.70% and Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) 0.51%. KB Financial Group (105560.KS) fell 1.30%.
On the KOSDAQ, semiconductor-related shares led the advance, including Wonik IPS (240810.KQ), up 6.01%, LEENO Industrial (058470.KQ), up 5.99%, EO Technics, up 4.81%, and HPSP, up 4.71%. EcoPro (086520.KQ) rose 3.97% and EcoPro BM (247540.KQ) 4.22%, while Alteogen (196170.KQ) gained 3.93% and Rainbow Robotics 2.87%.
Analysts pointed to Micron's earnings and its confidence in the industry outlook as the backdrop for the rebound in chip shares. Micron said revenue for its fiscal fourth quarter, covering June through August, came to a record $54.23 billion (about 73.5 trillion won), roughly five times the figure a year earlier. "Both the results and the guidance beat market expectations," said Ryu Hyung-geun, an analyst at Daishin Securities (003540.KS). "Investors should avoid excessive caution over a slowdown in the pace of margin improvement and take into account the surprise effect coming from both prices and volumes."
Strong chip exports also supported sentiment. Semiconductor exports last month rose 262.8% from a year earlier to $60.3 billion (about 81.9356 trillion won), topping $60 billion for the first time, according to September trade data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the same day. The record high came as expanding memory demand combined with higher shipment volumes and rising fixed prices.
