KOSPI Nears 7,000, Led by Semiconductor Stocks

This surge was primarily driven by semiconductor stocks, with SK Hynix soaring by 8% and Samsung Electronics by 5%, leading the market.

Foreign and institutional investors engaged in a massive combined buying spree worth 5 trillion won, further fueling the market's ascent. "The KOSPI, in this case, showed an explosive rise of over 4%, nearing the 7,000 mark. It closed at 6,995 points."

As OpenAI unveiled its new AI model 'Astra' and declared the era of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), expectations for high-capacity memory demand grew. This led to an influx of buying into semiconductor-related stocks across the board.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged by over 3%, and domestically, semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment (SOBUJANG) related stocks such as DB Hitek, Doosan Tesna, and PSK Holdings showed strong gains. "As OpenAI introduced its new AI model Astra and declared the era of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), buying interest surged across all semiconductor-related stocks."

The increasing trend of AI data centers has spurred expectations for expanded demand in power transmission/distribution networks and cables. This anticipation became the backdrop for the strong performance of related power equipment and cable stocks.

Additionally, projections emerged that domestic companies would benefit from the U.S. government's policy restricting procurement of foreign-made power equipment. Rising copper prices also acted as a positive factor for the revenue structure of cable manufacturers. "Thus, with the increase in AI data centers, expectations grew that demand for power transmission and distribution networks and cables would expand."

This power plant's primary purpose is to supply electricity to AI data centers.

The project is currently awaiting review by the U.S. Investment Committee and approval from President Trump for final authorization. "South Korea and the U.S. have provisionally confirmed the first project of their $350 billion investment in the U.S."

This is part of a strategy to prepare for future energy demands and ensure stable power supply to high-consumption facilities like AI data centers.

In connection with this, expanded cooperation between domestic company Doosan Enerbility and Elon Musk's AI company is also being discussed. "South Korea and the U.S. have currently agreed on the direction of building eight nuclear power plants in the U.S."

Memory inventory is reportedly reduced to less than 10 days, a significant decrease. This inventory reduction is interpreted as a positive sign for the improvement of the semiconductor industry.

Samsung Electronics' stock price confirmed strong downside support at 250,000 won, with the 280,000-290,000 won range acting as an upper resistance level. If uncertainties related to the interest rate direction from the September FOMC are resolved, additional upward momentum can be expected. The host stated, "We're hearing that memory inventory is currently less than 10 days, and while the macroeconomic environment isn't fully settled yet, given yesterday's breakout, I wonder if we can anticipate 300,000-won Samsung Electronics and 2-million-won SK Hynix again by September."

Samsung Electronics secured strong downside support through its share buyback. This indicates a robust pattern where strong buying interest emerged when the stock price fell below 250,000 won.

Currently, semiconductor stocks are maintaining upward momentum and attempting to form a stable price range. Despite market volatility, this downside support acts as a positive signal from a long-term investment perspective.

Therefore, experts advise adopting a stable holding strategy rather than reacting to short-term fluctuations.

"The downside, in this case, shows a somewhat firm stance due to share buybacks. In terms of price, for Samsung Electronics, when it drops below 250,000 won, strong buying came in, making it feel like the downside is being defended to some extent," stated CEO Lee Jung-ho.

In particular, Doosan Enerbility is drawing attention based on its gas turbine technology and momentum related to AI data center power supply. CEO Lee Jung-ho commented, "Even if nuclear power is difficult in the short term, in the long term, there's no possibility it won't be an option, so I think Doosan Enerbility received more attention in that regard."

Doosan Enerbility is directly linked to the energy theme, allowing for expectations of intuitive gains.

While the holding company Doosan has various subsidiaries, giving it a complex stock character, Doosan Enerbility could be a more favorable choice for those wishing to concentrate their investment on the energy theme. CEO Lee Jung-ho emphasized, "In September, it would be better to focus specifically on Doosan Enerbility."

News of Bloom Energy's inclusion in the S&P 500 increased interest in the fuel cell market. Experts interpret the rise in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) related stocks as evidence of the power shortage issue in AI data centers.

This ironically demonstrates the infinite growth potential of the AI data center infrastructure business and highlights the importance of stable power supply. CEO Lee Jung-ho explained, "Rather than thinking that SC or fuel cells are rising, it's more about interpreting it as the AI data center business continuously growing immensely, to the extent that astronomical amounts of money are being invested, due to its practical relevance."

Among small and medium-sized nuclear power-related stocks, BHI is considered a notable company. BHI possesses gas turbine technology backed by performance and is known as the global No. 1 company in the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) sector.

Its second-quarter earnings were also positively announced, confirming a rebound in its stock price. CEO Lee Jung-ho stated, "Among those, BHI is a company that shows performance related to nuclear power gas turbines, and it's also the global number one company in HRSG (Heat Recovery Steam Generator), with positive second-quarter earnings and other aspects."

While the key for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix is whether they can break through the upper bound of the 280,000-290,000 won range, their strong downside stability has been confirmed. This means that a strong support line forms if the stock price falls below a certain level.

Therefore, experts advise that even if additional corrections occur in the future, it is effective to utilize them as opportunities for further purchases rather than worrying excessively. CEO Lee Jung-ho emphasized, "The most important thing was that we saw strong resilience on the downside again this time. So, even if there's an additional correction, rather than being too afraid, I hope you'll think of it as an opportunity for additional purchases."