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KOSPI Rebounds Led by Samsung and SK Hynix Amid Shareholder Return Hopes
Electronic Technology · Semiconductors · yonhap_finance · 2026-08-21
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Despite global economic headwinds, KOSPI rose as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix rallied on expectations of aggressive shareholder return policies.
What Happened
Semiconductor-Led Rally: Despite negative sentiment from rising U.S. Treasury yields and global economic concerns, the KOSPI index managed to close higher, driven by strong performances from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. These semiconductor giants acted as the primary pillars of support for the broader market.
Shareholder Return Sentiment: The rally was largely fueled by expectations surrounding SK Hynix’s massive share buyback and cancellation program, alongside rumors of potential special dividends from Samsung Electronics. Market analysts credit these shareholder-friendly initiatives for boosting investor confidence.
Strong Export Data: Robust export figures, with semiconductor exports surging 199% year-on-year in August, provided a solid fundamental basis for the rally. The semiconductor sector index outperformed, helping to offset weakness in other industrial sectors.
KOSPI vs. KOSDAQ Divergence: In contrast, the KOSDAQ index suffered a significant decline of 4.63% as foreign and institutional investors offloaded shares. The market faced pressure from rising interest rates, which disproportionately affected smaller-cap stocks lacking strong earnings momentum.