Key Highlights
- Samsung Electronics climbed 8.22% on Friday, bouncing back from the previous day’s 9.1% decline
- The KOSPI benchmark rallied 5.76% to close at 8,088.34 after hitting an intraday low of 7,300
- News emerged that Anthropic is discussing custom AI hardware development with Samsung
- SK Hynix jumped 10.88% following Thursday’s brutal 14.6% plunge
- Despite recent volatility, the KOSPI leads global markets in 2026 with approximately 92% gains year-to-date
Samsung Electronics shares experienced a powerful rebound Friday, gaining 8.22% after suffering a 9.1% loss in the prior trading session. This recovery mirrored a broader comeback across South Korea’s KOSPI benchmark, which had activated circuit breakers Thursday amid intense market-wide selling pressure.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SMSD.L
The KOSPI tumbled to an intraday low of 7,300 Friday morning before mounting an impressive V-shaped turnaround, ultimately finishing 5.76% higher at 8,088.34. Thursday’s trading had witnessed a 7.89% decline in the index — marking one of its most severe single-session losses this year.
Emerging reports indicating that artificial intelligence company Anthropic is engaged in discussions with Samsung regarding custom AI chip development provided investors with renewed conviction. This development helped accelerate the recovery momentum in both Samsung and fellow semiconductor manufacturer SK Hynix.
SK Hynix surged 10.88% Friday, recovering from its devastating 14.6% drop the previous day. These two semiconductor giants represent the KOSPI’s heaviest weighted components, meaning their price movements significantly influence the overall index direction.
Thursday’s dramatic decline was partially intensified by liquidation in heavily leveraged single-name exchange-traded funds. South Korea’s financial regulatory authorities openly expressed concerns regarding this market dynamic.
Anthropic Partnership Speculation Energizes Recovery
Friday’s rally extended beyond mere technical positioning. The reports surrounding Anthropic-Samsung custom chip development introduced a genuine fundamental driver alongside value-seeking buyers and short position covering following extreme fear-driven selling.
Samsung’s stock continues trading substantially beneath its 52-week peak of 374,500 won, suggesting potential for additional upside if the AI memory narrative maintains momentum.
The KOSPI’s extraordinary 2026 performance has been predominantly powered by the AI memory semiconductor theme. The benchmark has generated approximately 92% returns year-to-date — a performance level that eclipses every other major global equity index. The S&P 500, in contrast, has advanced just 9.3%.
AI Memory Demand Drives Global Semiconductor Rally
The artificial intelligence memory boom transcends Seoul’s borders. American competitor Micron concluded Thursday’s abbreviated session down 5.5% at $975.56, swept into the broader semiconductor sector selloff that pressured the Nasdaq, which declined 0.8% to close the holiday-shortened trading week.
Micron maintains a remarkable 166.4% gain year-to-date, underscoring the exceptional strength of the memory semiconductor trade throughout 2026.
South Korea’s robust Friday recovery is being interpreted as an encouraging indicator for Micron when American exchanges resume trading Monday following the July 4th Independence Day holiday.
Friday’s sharp movements in Samsung and SK Hynix reflected a convergence of technical short covering, opportunistic value buying, and short-duration capital all pursuing the rebound simultaneously.
Samsung’s shares settled 8.22% higher Friday, while SK Hynix concluded the session up 10.88%.
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