Key Takeaways
- Samsung and SK Hynix stocks surged 10–13% Wednesday following significant March declines
- South Korea’s KOSPI benchmark rallied more than 8%, bouncing back from last month’s 19%+ plunge
- Optimism about a swift resolution to Middle East tensions improved market sentiment
- The memory chip manufacturers had tumbled 23–24% in March amid conflict worries and AI chip demand uncertainty
- An overnight U.S. market surge, sparked by President Trump’s Iran remarks, provided momentum
Shares of Samsung Electronics surged 13% to reach 189,600 won on Wednesday, as SK Hynix climbed approximately 11% to 893,000 won. The dramatic recovery followed a punishing March for both semiconductor giants.
South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index jumped 8.4% to close at 5,478.70, with the rally heavily influenced by the chipmakers’ strong performance. The index had plummeted more than 19% during March.
The two technology leaders each shed approximately 23–24% of their value last month. A primary catalyst was mounting anxiety regarding the Middle East situation, which triggered concerns about elevated manufacturing expenses and potential supply chain bottlenecks.
Investors also grew increasingly anxious about future demand for AI-focused memory semiconductors. Google introduced an algorithm claiming to reduce artificial intelligence memory needs significantly, creating headwinds for the sector.
Market participants additionally began anticipating potential memory chip price declines after OpenAI implemented cost-reduction measures. Among these actions, the artificial intelligence company discontinued its video creation tool, Sora.
OpenAI Partnership Remains Strategic Priority
Toward the end of 2025, OpenAI entered into an agreement with Samsung and SK Hynix to acquire 900,000 DRAM wafers from the Korean manufacturers. This partnership had served as a significant catalyst for investor confidence in both stocks.
The two chipmakers had enjoyed rising memory semiconductor prices throughout late 2025, fueled by market expectations that artificial intelligence demand would exceed available supply. The recent downturn erased portions of those earlier advances.
Kiwoom Securities analyst Han Ji-young attributed Wednesday’s turnaround to value-seeking investors, noting that blue-chip stocks had declined sufficiently to entice buyers back into the market.
“The stock market is highly likely to enter a recovery phase rather than experience further decline,” Han stated in research commentary.
Geopolitical Developments Boost Market Confidence
Investor sentiment brightened following President Trump’s Tuesday announcement that U.S. forces would withdraw from Iran within two to three weeks. The president delivered these remarks during a White House press briefing.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian separately indicated Tehran’s willingness to conclude hostilities, though he requested certain unspecified assurances.
These statements triggered a substantial rally in U.S. equity markets overnight, with momentum extending into Asian trading sessions Wednesday morning.
Samsung shares concluded trading at 189,600 won, approximately $125.83 in U.S. currency. SK Hynix finished at 893,000 won.
The KOSPI index settled at 5,478.70, marking an 8.4% daily advance.
Despite Wednesday’s strong performance, both Samsung and SK Hynix continue trading well below their pre-March selloff valuations.
