Semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment stocks saw sharply divergent performances based on owners' equity-related decisions. Stocks drew buying interest on news of treasury share purchases, while shares faced heavy profit-taking and a sharp pullback in sentiment after the disclosure of large-scale stake sales.
According to the Korea Exchange on the 28th, Hanmi Semiconductor closed the previous session at 373,500 won, up 78,000 won (26.40%) from the prior session. By contrast, Leeno Industrial, a Kosdaq-listed peer in the same sector, ended at 109,800 won, down 14,600 won (11.74%).
Hanmi Semiconductor's rally was driven directly by news that Chairman Kwak Dong-shin purchased treasury shares. The company disclosed that Kwak had acquired 3 billion won worth of treasury shares, executing the purchase plan announced on the 30th of last month. With this purchase, Kwak's cumulative treasury share purchases since 2023 have reached 56.5 billion won, raising his stake to 33.57%. The market interpreted this as a commitment to responsible management, attracting buying interest.
Expectations for an improving semiconductor cycle amid expanding artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure also underpinned the gains. Hanmi Semiconductor holds the top global market share in TC bonders, which are essential for producing high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and plans to launch a wide TC bonder later this year to support next-generation HBM production.
The U.S. semiconductor index has risen for 18 consecutive trading sessions, hitting record highs and fueling optimism about the industry outlook. On the same day, TEMC (29.99%), Fadu (19.38%), Taesung (17.25%) and C&G Hi-Tech (17.06%) all surged, setting 52-week intraday highs.
Kim Rok-ho, an analyst at Hana Securities, said, "The share prices of materials, parts, and equipment makers will move in tandem until earnings upgrades run their course," adding, "Memory makers' investment plans and expectations for new fabs next year remain intact, so we continue to recommend an overweight stance on the sector."
Leeno Industrial, by contrast, was weighed down by its largest shareholder's plan to sell shares. On the 24th of this month, Leeno Industrial disclosed that CEO Lee Chae-yoon planned to sell 7 million common shares through off-hours block trades between the 26th of next month and June 24. The stake equals 9.18% of total shares outstanding, worth 863.1 billion won based on the 23rd's closing price of 123,300 won.
Investor sentiment quickly soured on the prospect of a large overhang. Analysts said the top shareholder's move to reduce his stake weighed on the stock, particularly after it had recently surged into the top 10 of the Kosdaq by market capitalization. Leeno Industrial recorded its heaviest trading volume of the past 52 weeks on the day (about 6.54 million shares) as selling intensified.
World's No. 1 in technology, but owner risk at record levels? Leeno Industrial's brutal reversal
