In the first half of 2026, companies in the semiconductor materials, components, and equipment sectors, referred to as the "latter semiconductor" firms, outperformed Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in stock price growth on the domestic market. The benefits of increased investment in artificial intelligence (AI) have extended beyond memory to the substrate, packaging, and equipment sectors, leading to strong performance among related stocks.
According to the Korea Exchange on July 2, the top-performing stock in the KOSPI market for the first half of the year (January 2 to June 30) was Samsung Electro-Mechanics, which surged 756.47% from 255,000 won to 2,184,000 won. The cumulative trading volume reached 113.8873 trillion won.
In the KOSPI market, stocks related to semiconductors and electrical equipment led the gains. Following Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samwha Capacitor recorded a 416.24% increase, Gaon Cable rose by 409.96%, and SK Square climbed 361.14%. SK Hynix, a representative of AI semiconductors, also saw a 307.07% rise, closing at 2,650,000 won, while LG Innotek (261.99%) and Daeduck Electronics (226.11%) also ranked among the top performers.
In the KOSDAQ market, Jusung Engineering topped the list with a 625.63% increase, closing at 201,000 won, with a cumulative trading volume exceeding 33.8806 trillion won. Other semiconductor equipment companies, including Gigabyte (510.16%), PSK (431.44%), and Tes (366.89%), also posted significant gains.
The first half of the year saw a concentration of demand in large-cap stocks. Individual investors' net purchases were led by SK Hynix at 39.0624 trillion won, followed by Samsung Electronics at 32.1856 trillion won. Hyundai Motor (13.3093 trillion won) and SK Square (4.5876 trillion won) also had substantial net purchases.
Conversely, foreign investors primarily bought Samsung Electro-Mechanics, with a net purchase of 2.2384 trillion won, the highest among domestic stocks. This influx of foreign investment helped Samsung Electro-Mechanics achieve the top spot in KOSPI market returns.
Analysts attribute the improved outlook for the semiconductor sector to the expansion of AI investments, which is now benefiting not only memory but also downstream and equipment companies. However, they caution that after recent rapid price increases, future stock movements will likely depend on actual performance improvements.
Kim Min-kyu, a researcher at KB Securities, noted, "While power equipment was recognized as a leading sector alongside AI investments, it became sidelined from semiconductors in May. With global companies raising their earnings forecasts, domestic firms should also consider the potential for upward revisions or earnings surprises with their second-quarter results."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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