Korea Market Insights

Middle East War and Korean Equities — Five-Part Series 1. KOSPI transmission 2. Hormuz sectors 3. USD/KRW risk 4. Defense value chain 5. Chip-cycle buffer Published August 1, 2026 Reference date: July 31, 2026 market close and public data Part 1 of 5 Middle East War and Korean Equities — Part 1 Middle East War and Korean Stocks: How Hormuz, Oil, and the Won Hit the KOSPI The first article maps the full transmission mechanism from restricted shipping to imported inflation, monetary policy, foreign flows and Korean corporate earnings. Hormuz disruption → energy and freight costs → weaker won and higher inflation → tighter policy and foreign-flow pressure Table of Contents Confirmed facts Why Korea is sensitive Transmission to the KOSPI Rates and exports Sector map KOSPI scenarios What to watch Key takeaway Korea’s vulnerability is not explained by oil dependence alone. The transmission channel combines imported energy, a risk-sensitive currency, foreign ownershi...

Korea Pre-Market Brief | August 3, 2026 Amazon’s AI Capex Boost Meets Korea’s Foreign-Flow Test Amazon’s results reinforced the structural demand case for AI infrastructure and memory. The immediate signal for Korean equities is less straightforward: U.S. chip performance was uneven, Treasury yields and oil remained elevated, and Korea’s record rebound was heavily concentrated in foreign buying of two semiconductor leaders. Amazon +15.32% KOSPI +17.91% U.S. 10-Year 4.743% Brent $90.12 Publication date August 1, 2026 Market focus August 3 KRX regular session Latest Korean session July 31, 2026 close Latest U.S. session July 31, 2026 close Key Takeaway Monday is more likely to be a test of the July 31 rebound than the start of an uncontested new semiconductor rally. The most important indicators are foreign cash buying in Korea’s two memory-chip leaders, KOSPI 200 futures an...

Samsung Electronics vs. SK hynix HBM4 Earnings Leadership Versus Foundry and Catch-Up Upside SK hynix currently offers the clearer pure-play exposure to AI memory earnings. Samsung Electronics offers greater diversification, a larger net-cash position, and more rerating potential if its HBM4 ramp and foundry recovery become visible in reported results. Published July 31, 2026 Q2 2026 company results Currency: KRW Financial-status note: The Q2 2026 figures discussed below are company-announced consolidated results. SK hynix's reported net income includes a large non-operating investment gain, so operating profit and cash generation provide a cleaner comparison of the two businesses. Table of Contents Investment Thesis Earnings and Business Mix HBM4 and HBM4E Competition Balance Sheet and Valuation Catalysts and Risks Scenarios and What to Watch Company Information and Access FAQ ...

Korea Market Close · July 31, 2026 KOSPI Close: Record 17.91% Rebound as Foreign Buying Targets Chip Leaders South Korea’s benchmark index erased most of a three-session collapse as foreign investors bought a record amount of KOSPI shares. The rebound was broad, but nearly four-fifths of the foreign inflow was concentrated in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Market basis July 31 KRX regular-session close After-hours reference NXT data through 8:05 p.m. KST Previous KRX close July 30, 2026 Next Korean session Monday, August 3, 2026 Session note: Index levels and investor-flow figures in this review refer to the Korea Exchange, or KRX, regular session. Nextrade, Korea’s alternative trading system, operates separate pre-market, main-market and after-market sessions with different coverage and liquidity. ...