[Edaily Reporter PARK MIN ] SamsungElectronics is trading more than 4% higher on the 21st. Last week, the New York Stock Exchange held up well—led by memory semiconductor stocks—despite a confluence of negative factors, including concerns over a U.S. interest rate hike and calls for a slowdown in artificial intelligence (AI) development. Consequently, strong buying interest is flowing into Korea’s leading semiconductor stocks. As buying interest surges into major domestic semiconductor stocks, the KOSPI also recovered the 7,000 mark intraday for the first time in seven trading days.

According to MP Doctor today, the leading stock SamsungElectronics(005930)is trading at 271,500 won as of 10:35 a.m., up 4.02% from the previous trading day. SK hynix(000660)is also continuing its upward trend, trading at 1,873,000 won, up 0.86%, and strong buying interest is evident across leading semiconductor and IT stocks, including SamsungElectronics(1P)(005935)(up 5.56%), SKSQUARE(402340)(up 4.45%), and SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)(up 1.15%).

Holding companies and large-cap financial stocks are also maintaining solid momentum. SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION(028260)is currently trading at 367,000 won, up 4.56%, while KB Financial Group(105560)(1.32%) and SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940)(0.29%) are also continuing their upward trend. In contrast, LG Energy Solution(373220), a major player in the secondary battery sector, is trading at 354,000 won, down 2.75%, and HyundaiMotor(005380)(-1.10%) is also struggling to avoid a decline.

Earlier this past weekend, investor sentiment remained strong on the New York Stock Exchange as semiconductor stocks performed well despite the pressure from rising Treasury yields.

On the 18th (local time), the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 2.78% on the New York Stock Exchange, with SanDisk (10.99%), Seagate (6.93%), Western Digital (4.13%), Micron (3.92%), and SK hynix ADR (2.46%) all posting gains.

Buoyed by the strength of Samsung Electronics and INICS Corporation, the KOSPI has also broken through the 7,000 mark, currently standing at 7,003.36 as of 10:43 a.m. The KOSPI rose as high as 7,001.33 early in the session and has since continued to climb, gradually raising its highs around the 6,900 level. This marks the first time in seven trading days—since the 10th of this month—that the KOSPI has traded above the 7,000 mark during the session.

In terms of market participants, foreign investors and institutions are driving the index higher through a “two-pronged buying spree” totaling 604 billion won, with foreign investors net buying 107.9 billion won and institutions net buying 496.1 billion won.