Robotics stocks, emerging alongside artificial intelligence and semiconductors, have risen more than 150% so far this year.
According to the Korea Exchange on Wednesday, large-cap stocks on Korea's main bourse with market capitalization of more than 50 trillion won — Hyundai Motor (005380.KS), Hyundai Mobis (012330.KS), Kia (000270.KS) and LG Electronics (066570.KS) — have gained an average of 155% this year on robotics expectations.
LG Electronics in particular jumped from 91,400 won at the start of the year to 392,500 won as of Tuesday's close, a 329% gain. The company hit the daily upper limit three times this year — on October 21, October 29 and November 1.
While home appliances remain LG Electronics' core business, the company has been expanding its robotics operations, following its logistics-use "CLOi CarryBot" with the home robot "CLOi." News that the company is developing its own physical AI model based on Nvidia's general-purpose humanoid reasoning model "Isaac GR00T" also boosted sentiment.
Hyundai Motor rose 144%, while Hyundai Mobis and Kia gained 105% and 40%, respectively. Hyundai Motor and Kia are drawing strong attention as their robotics subsidiary Boston Dynamics showcases its humanoid robot Atlas. Hyundai Mobis is gaining attention as a key parts supplier for Atlas. Elsewhere, Doosan Robotics (454910.KS) rose 107%, while Rainbow Robotics (277810.KQ) and Robotis (108490.KQ) gained 54% and 50%, respectively.
Robotics stocks are drawing renewed attention after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who is set to visit Korea, said, "Nvidia hopes to contribute to the development of Korea's robotics industry."
"After various events, attention should turn to whether the robotics businesses take concrete shape," said Choi Geon, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities. "Share prices will gain upward momentum as the feasibility of these sector-related events is verified."
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