Samsung Group's combined market value has reclaimed the 2,000 trillion won ($1.44 trillion) mark, lifted by a broad rally in U.S. semiconductor and artificial intelligence infrastructure stocks that has spilled over into the South Korean market. Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and Samsung Electro-Mechanics (009150.KS) led the recovery, rising more than 4% and 12%, respectively.
The combined market capitalization of Samsung Group's 18 listed companies stood at 2,013.97 trillion won as of the previous session, up 0.71% from the day before, the Korea Exchange said on the 14th. Including preferred shares, the group's market value first surpassed 2,000 trillion won on May 29 this year, but slipped back below that level as volatility in the KOSPI intensified.
The decline was driven largely by a sharp drop in Samsung Electronics, which accounts for the bulk of the group's market value. After climbing to 354,000 won at the close on June 19, the stock reversed course and fell to around 220,000 won on the 28th of last month. Over the same period, Samsung Electronics preferred shares dropped from 222,000 won to 158,200 won.
More recently, however, concerns about a semiconductor peak have eased further, and a series of large orders won by Big Tech companies has helped restore investor sentiment toward chips. In regular trading on the 13th, Samsung Electronics closed at 268,000 won, up 4.89% from the previous session, giving it a market capitalization of 1,556.80 trillion won. SK hynix (000660.KS), the second-largest stock by market value on the KOSPI, closed at 1,593,000 won, up 5.92% from the prior session.
"After CoreWeave and SMCI the day before, Nevius also surged on strong results, confirming that AI infrastructure remains solid," said Kang Jin-hyuk, a senior analyst at Shinhan Securities. "The U.S. July consumer price index, which came in line with expectations, also brought a sense of relief to the market."
