AI-driven memory boom lifts Samsung shares as Seoul stocks extend gains

Sep 20, 2026 07:25 (33d ago)

AI infrastructure investment is driving a projected semiconductor market above $1.6 trillion, strengthening semiconductor shares and shifting South Korean consumers toward used phones.
Samsung shares rose 9,000 won, or 3.45%, to 270,000 won, while the KOSPI gained 113.49 points, or 1.65%, to 7,007.72.
DRAM constraints may last into the second half of next year or 2028, while UPM recorded 2,925,067 used-phone purchases worth 995,128,920,000 won in the first half.

The Export-Import Bank of Korea’s Overseas Economic Research Institute expects the global semiconductor market to exceed $1.6 trillion this year as AI infrastructure investment drives memory and logic-chip demand. Samsung Electronics shares rose 9,000 won, or 3.45%, to 270,000 won by 9:05 a.m. on the 21st, while Seoul stocks later gained 113.49 points, or 1.65%, to close at 7,007.72 as semiconductor shares extended the KOSPI’s winning streak to three sessions. Rising DRAM and NAND costs are also encouraging South Korean consumers to buy used smartphones: UPM recorded 2,925,067 used-phone purchases worth 995,128,920,000 won, or approximately $719.0 million, in the first half of the year. Memory shortages may persist into 2028, although annual used-phone purchases could approach or exceed 2 trillion won if current prices continue.