[Edaily Reporter Shin Ha-yeon ] The stock that posted the highest gain on the domestic stock market in the first half of this year was not SamsungElectronics(005930)or SK hynix(000660), but #SamsungElectroMechanics. While major semiconductor stocks led the index higher, expectations that the company would benefit from multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) for artificial intelligence (AI) servers are believed to have driven up SamsungElectroMechanics’ stock price.

According to MP Doctor on the 5th, SamsungElectroMechanics was the stock with the highest rate of increase on the KOSPI from the beginning of this year through the 30th of last month. SamsungElectroMechanics’ stock price rose 756.47% during this period. The stock price, which was in the 270,000 won range at the start of the year, jumped to 2,184,000 won as of the 30th of last month.

SamsungElectroMechanics(1P)’s preferred shares also performed strongly. Over the same period, SamsungElectroMechanics(1P)’s preferred shares rose from the 120,000 won range to 795,000 won, a 585.34% increase. This ranking excluded cases involving stock splits or bonus share reductions.

SamsungElectroMechanics’ rate of increase significantly outpaced that of SK hynix and SamsungElectronics, considered the top two semiconductor companies. During the same period, SK hynix rose 307.07%, SamsungElectronics rose 178.57%, and SamsungElectronics(1P) rose 137.67%. SamsungElectroMechanics’ gain was particularly striking even when compared to the KOSPI, which rose 101% as it broke through the 1,000-point mark five times on its way from the 4,000 level to the 9,000 level.

Driven by the sharp rise in its stock price, SamsungElectroMechanics’ market capitalization ranking also jumped significantly. While its market cap stood at 20.1672 trillion won at the beginning of the year—ranking 33rd on the KOSPI—it surged to 163.1310 trillion won by the 30th of last month, climbing to 5th place.

The securities industry is also raising its expectations for SamsungElectroMechanics. A number of brokerage firms—including Shinhan Investment, NH INVESTMENT & SECURITIES, KB Securities, Meritz Securities, Hana Securities, and iM Securities—have raised their target price for SamsungElectroMechanics to 3 million won. Considering that SamsungElectroMechanics’ closing price on the 3rd was 1,989,000 won, this level reflects an additional upside potential of about 50%.

Oh Kang-ho, an analyst at Shinhan Investment Securities, stated in a recent report, “SamsungElectroMechanics has emerged as a leading global component manufacturer, confirming its entry into a phase of structural growth,” adding, “It is a prime beneficiary in markets with high demand, driven by expanding sales of high-value-added products in the AI era.” He maintained his “Top Pick” rating for the stock.

The second-highest gainer on the KOSPI was also an MLCC-related stock. SamwhaCapacitor followed SamsungElectroMechanics, rising 416.24% in the first half of this year. SamwhaCapacitor is a company that primarily manufactures MLCCs. Lim Eun-young, an analyst at SamsungSecurities, forecast continued growth, noting, “The company may follow the lead of market leaders such as SamsungElectroMechanics and Japan’s Murata in raising prices.”

DaewooEngineering&Construction took third place. DaewooEngineering&Construction rose 393.19% in the first half, reflecting expectations of winning a contract for a nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic and anticipation of record-breaking order volumes this year. Next was SKSQUARE, which rose 361.14% as the value of its stake in SK hynix gained attention following SK hynix’s stock price surge.

Meanwhile, on the KOSDAQ market, semiconductor equipment stocks dominated the top ranks in terms of percentage gains. Topping the list was JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd., which surged 625.63% in the first half of this year. As a semiconductor equipment manufacturer, JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd. performed strongly as expanded investment in AI semiconductors coincided with a trend of reevaluation of equipment stocks.

Excluding cases involving stock splits, capital reductions, or third-party private placements, #GigaVis Co., Ltd. ranked second in terms of percentage gain on the KOSDAQ. GigaVis Co., Ltd. rose 510.16% in the first half of the year. The company manufactures equipment that inspects defects in semiconductor package substrates, among other products.

Third place went to TAIHAN Fiberoptics Co.,LTD, which rose 493.26% over the same period. TAIHAN Fiberoptics Co.,LTD produces optical cables used in telecommunications and power transmission, as well as optical fibers, the raw material for these cables.

In the first half of this year, while large-cap semiconductor stocks such as SamsungElectronics and SK hynix led the domestic stock market’s index gains, component and equipment stocks—expected to benefit from expanded investment in AI servers and semiconductors—actually posted even steeper gains in terms of individual stock returns.