8,000 Mark, 300,000-Won Samsung Electronics, and 2-Million-Won SK hynix 'Imminent'... Samsung and SK hynix Surpass 50% Weight in KOSPI 200 for the First Time

Samsung Electronics and SK hynix Jump from 39% to 52% of KOSPI 200 Since Year Start

SK hynix Hits 2.02 Million Won in Pre-Market Trading


Semiconductor Operating Profits Expected to Surge 551% Year-on-Year

Energy Up 326%, Communica

As the KOSPI index approaches 8000 and takes a breather, on May 14th, an employee at the Hana Bank headquarters dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul, is monitoring the stock market and exchange rates. On that day, the KOSPI closed at 7,873.91, up 29.90 points (0.38%) from the previous trading day, the KOSDAQ rose 0.09 points (0.86%) to 1,187.02, and the won/dollar exchange rate opened at 1,489.8 won, down 0.8 won from the previous day. Photo by Jo Yongjun, 2026.5.14

As the stock prices of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix surged, for the first time ever, the combined weight of these two companies in the KOSPI200 index exceeded 50%. On this day, SK hynix surpassed KRW 2 million for the first time in the pre-market, and Samsung Electronics also approached KRW 300,000, both reaching all-time highs. The KOSPI index is also on the verge of surpassing 8,000.

Stock Surge: Samsung Electronics Nears 300,000 Won, SK hynix Nears 2 Million Won

On May 14, the KOSPI opened at 7,873.91, up 0.38% from the previous trading day, and continued to rise, reaching 7,970.38 as of 9:55 a.m., a 1.61% increase, bringing it just short of the 8,000 mark. The KOSDAQ started at 1,187.02, up 0.86% from the previous session, but gave up its gains and is now trading flat.

The main driver behind the KOSPI’s rise was Samsung Electronics. As of 10 a.m., Samsung Electronics was trading at KRW 299,500, up 4.54% from the previous trading day, hitting an all-time high. At the same time, SK hynix was trading at KRW 1,982,000, up 0.30% from the previous day.

On this day, SK hynix traded at KRW 2,020,000 in the pre-market, surpassing the KRW 2 million mark during intraday trading for the first time ever. Since surpassing KRW 1 million for the first time in February, its stock price has more than doubled in just three months. The securities industry sees further room for SK hynix’s stock price to rise, citing continued improvement in performance. SK Securities set its target price for SK hynix at KRW 3 million. Han Donghee, a researcher at SK Securities, remarked, "Although the stock price has risen significantly recently, SK hynix’s 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio (PER) is only about 5.2," adding, "With the stock being re-rated, the upward trend is likely to continue."

Due to the rapid rise in the stock prices of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, their combined weight in the KOSPI200 index surpassed 50% for the first time. According to the Korea Exchange, as of May 13, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix accounted for 51.5% of the KOSPI200 index. Within the KOSPI200 market capitalization, Samsung Electronics accounted for 28%, and SK hynix for 23.5%. The gap compared to the third-ranked SK Square (2.64%), fourth-ranked Hyundai Motor Company (2.42%), and fifth-ranked LG Energy Solution (1.7%) was vast.

The combined weight of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix in the KOSPI200 index surged by 12.8 percentage points in about five months, rising from 38.7% at the start of the year. This was due to their stock prices soaring by 138% and 205%, respectively, compared to the beginning of the year. As the share prices of these two top market cap companies jumped together, their weight in the KOSPI200 naturally increased. The stock returns of the two companies far outpaced this year’s KOSPI gain of 86.1%.

Many in the securities industry view this concentration as inevitable, given the outlook for profit growth at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix this year. According to Meritz Securities, of the KRW 472 trillion increase in estimated KOSPI profits through April this year, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix alone contributed KRW 427 trillion, or 90.8%. The two companies are expected to account for 70.7% of the KOSPI's expected net profit this year. With their market cap weight at 51.5%, some argue that there is still further upside for their stock prices.

However, concerns are being raised about the side effects of this extreme concentration. As the index’s reliance on these two companies increases, market volatility has grown in response to their stock price movements. Additionally, there is concern about the illusion of a rising index, as only select semiconductor and AI-related stocks rise while many others fall. According to Kiwoom Securities, from May 1 to May 13, only two out of 26 KOSPI sectors—semiconductors (+38.6%) and automobiles (+29.1%)—outperformed the KOSPI’s 18.9% gain. Han Jiyeong, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, explained, "From the perspective that stock prices are a function of earnings, the dominance of semiconductors is somewhat justified," but added, "It is a period when investors without exposure to semiconductors may feel left out."

Semiconductor Profit Surge Drives Current Account Surplus Past Japan

In the first quarter of 2026 (January–March), South Korea’s current account surplus exceeded that of Japan for the first time in a decade, driven by the recovery in profitability at major companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. According to FnGuide, an analysis of 299 companies for which three or more securities firms provided operating profit estimates showed that the semiconductor and related equipment sector’s operating profit is expected to surge by 551.0% year-on-year in 2026.

Estimates for next year also forecast an additional 30.8% growth over this year, pointing to an unprecedented boom. The explosive growth in the semiconductor sector is being led by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Samsung Electronics’ operating profit is estimated at KRW 343 trillion for this year and KRW 435 trillion for next year. SK hynix is expected to record an operating profit of KRW 251 trillion this year and KRW 342 trillion next year.

The second-ranked sector was energy facilities and services, including Hanwha Solutions and HD Hyundai, which posted a 326.1% increase. This is attributed to growing demand for power grid expansion due to the global supply chain reorganization and the full-scale start of renewable energy revenue. In particular, HD Hyundai recorded its highest-ever quarterly operating profit since its transition to a holding company structure in 2017, thanks to improved profitability across its main businesses such as shipbuilding, construction equipment, oil refining, and electric equipment segments.

The third-ranked sector, petroleum and gas—including SK Innovation and S-Oil—posted a 255.3% increase, supported by the recovery of refining margins and rising oil prices due to geopolitical risks. The fourth-ranked sector, telecommunications equipment—including Intellian Technologies and RFHIC—grew by 159.2%, driven by additional investments in global 5G infrastructure and the expansion of the satellite communications market. The fifth-ranked sector, conglomerates such as SK Square, posted a 126.9% increase, with the earnings boost from its subsidiary SK hynix playing a decisive role.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.