[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyung-il ] While leading semiconductor stocks SamsungElectronics(005930)and SK hynix(000660)are showing weakness due to global interest rates and supply-demand pressures, EXA E&C, Inc(054940)hit the daily price limit, driven by an increase in orders related to semiconductor production facilities.

According to MP Doctor on the 31st, as of 10:29 a.m., EXA E&C, Inc is trading at 4,290 won, up 990 won (30%) from the previous trading day. The stock has been on an upward trend since the market opened and hit the daily price limit.

EXA E&C, Inc. is a specialized construction company that carries out cleanroom and waterproofing projects for advanced manufacturing facilities, such as semiconductor and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) plants. The surge in buying interest is believed to stem from the company’s recent succession of major contracts related to semiconductor production facilities for SamsungElectronics and SK hynix.

Previously, on the 19th, EXA E&C, Inc signed a 19 billion won contract with #SamsungE&A for the interior finishing work on the P5 complex building at SamsungElectronics’ Pyeongtaek Campus. This follows an 89 billion won contract previously signed with SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION(028260), bringing the total order value secured for SamsungElectronics’ Pyeongtaek P5 project to 108 billion won in just one month.

Orders also continued to come in from SK hynix’s Yongin Semiconductor Cluster. The contract value for the Phase 1 construction project at the Yongin Cluster, secured last year, was increased to the 20 billion won range following an amendment. The company’s expanding order intake at major domestic semiconductor production hubs—such as SamsungElectronics’ Pyeongtaek site and SK hynix’s Yongin site—is drawing attention.

In contrast, the leading semiconductor stocks—SamsungElectronics and SK hynix—are trading lower. As of 10:29 a.m. today, SamsungElectronics is trading at 252,000 won, down 1.95% from the previous trading day, while SK hynix is trading at 1,603,000 won, down 3.02%.

The weakness in SamsungElectronics and SK hynix is attributed to a combination of a sharp decline in U.S. semiconductor stocks and concerns over interest rate hikes. On the 28th, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index in the U.S. plummeted 3.47%. Furthermore, hawkish remarks by Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Kevin Warsh at the Jackson Hole Symposium have reignited speculation about a potential interest rate hike in September, and selling pressure on domestic semiconductor stocks by foreign and institutional investors is also weighing on the market.