Chip stocks jump in tandem on Middle East ceasefire hopes… Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix surge over 8%

Semiconductor stocks, led by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, are surging together in early trading on the 1st. With expectations growing for an end to hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, investor sentiment appears to have improved on news that last month’s semiconductor exports hit a record high.

As of 10:48 a.m. on the 1st, Samsung Electronics is up 14,400 won (8.61%) from the previous session at 181,600 won. At the same time, SK Hynix is also rising 69,000 won (8.55%) to 876,000 won.

Other semiconductor materials and equipment stocks are also broadly higher, including Hansol Chemical (9.9%), EO Technics (9.75%), Isu Petasys (9.29%), Hana Micron (8.45%), Hanmi Semiconductor (7.3%), and Wonik Materials (4.76%).

The gains appear to reflect mounting expectations that the Iran war could end soon. U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 31st (local time), at a White House signing ceremony for an executive order, that he plans to withdraw from Iran “very soon.” Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian also signaled conditional willingness to end the war, saying he is “ready to end the war if there is a guarantee there will be no further attacks.”

Against this backdrop, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index—made up of AI and semiconductor-related stocks—soared 6.24% overnight in New York trading.

Investor sentiment also appears to have been supported by the fact that semiconductor exports remained robust last month despite the Middle East conflict. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, last month’s semiconductor exports surged 151.4% year on year to $32.83 billion. It was the first time on record that semiconductor exports exceeded $30 billion.

Park Sang-kyung, Hankyung.com reporter highseoul@hankyung.com