South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index jumped more than 4% to around 5,890 on Thursday, clawing back part of the previous session’s steep losses as Samsung Electronics surged on record quarterly results. Samsung gained nearly 3% after reporting stronger‑than‑expected earnings, highlighted by record semiconductor operating profit on the back of robust AI‑related memory demand. The company also signaled confidence in continued strength in AI infrastructure investment.
The broader market drew additional support from bargain hunting, following an almost 16% two‑day plunge in the index. Sentiment toward global technology shares was further buoyed by upbeat earnings from Microsoft, which helped ease concerns over the durability of AI spending.
Among other notable gainers were Hyundai Motor (up 1.6%), LG Energy Solution (7.2%), KB Financial Group (5.5%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (5.1%). However, the KOSPI’s advance was capped by persistent caution after the Federal Reserve reaffirmed its higher‑for‑longer interest rate stance, while renewed US strikes on Iran kept geopolitical risks elevated.
