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Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
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Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
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Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index climbed to a historic high on Monday, fueled by a strong rally in semiconductor stocks amid booming artificial intelligence demand and tightening global memory chip supplies. The KOSPI surged as much as 5%, reaching an all-time intraday peak of 7,876.60 points during trading.
Leading the rally were major chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, both benefiting from growing optimism surrounding AI-driven semiconductor demand. Shares of SK Hynix jumped as much as 13%, setting a new record high, while Samsung Electronics also posted sharp gains. The latest rally recently pushed Samsung’s market valuation above the $1 trillion mark, highlighting investor confidence in the company’s expanding role in the AI chip market.
Investor sentiment strengthened after reports revealed that SK Hynix has received unprecedented supply requests from major global technology companies looking to secure advanced memory chips for AI servers. According to Reuters, several customers have even offered financial support for new production facilities and expensive ASML lithography equipment, as existing chip production capacity has effectively been exhausted.
The surge in demand is largely tied to high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, a crucial component used in AI accelerators and data centers. Tech giants including Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Alphabet continue to expand their AI infrastructure, significantly increasing demand for advanced semiconductor solutions.
The ongoing AI boom has transformed South Korea’s semiconductor sector into one of the strongest performers in global equity markets. Analysts believe continued investment in artificial intelligence technologies and persistent supply shortages could further support chipmaker stocks in the months ahead.
The record-breaking performance of the KOSPI reflects growing global confidence in South Korea’s technology industry and its dominant position in the rapidly expanding AI semiconductor market.
