Hanmi Semicon

South Korea's composite stock index closed up 1,001.89 points, or 17.91%, at 6,595.45, marking the strongest single-day surge in history and shattering the previous record of an 11.95% jump on October 30, 2008. The rally was fueled by strength in semiconductor stocks after Microsoft reported better-than-expected second-quarter 2026 earnings, with both sales and cloud computing growth exceeding forecasts. Samsung Electronics soared 26.81%, SK hynix surged 29.95%, Hanmi Semiconductor jumped 27.98%, and SK Square climbed 29.91%. Automaker and shipbuilder stocks also posted strong gains, with Hyundai Motor up 10.54% and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rising 7.37%.

South Korea's composite stock index closed nearly 1% higher today, as investors returned to buy technology shares amid easing tensions in the Middle East. The KOSPI finished at 6,755.75 points, up 65.13 points or 0.97%. Sentiment was boosted after the United States halted its two-week-long strikes on Iran, while Iran also ceased its retaliation and held talks with Oman on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, reducing geopolitical risks. Investor confidence was further supported by a meeting of top tech executives in San Francisco, led by Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, where a combined investment deal worth 950 billion dollars was announced. Samsung Electronics shares rose 1.8%, SK hynix jumped 3.24%, Hanmi Semiconductor gained 2.25%, and Naver surged 8.43% after Nvidia announced a 1 billion dollar investment in a new joint data center project.