Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) finished Friday's session at 158,600 won, marking a decline of 0.44%. Trading volume reached approximately 36 million shares. The stock fluctuated between 151,600 and 160,300 won during the day.
Market Context and the AI Trade
The broader Kospi index fell 1.4% on Friday, contributing to a weekly loss of 2.6%. Samsung's movement reflects a wider divergence in technology stock performance. While the Kospi has advanced over 20% since January, some major U.S. tech names have lagged. Samsung itself has surged about 32% year-to-date, closely followed by SK Hynix's 29% gain.
Analysts note investors are increasingly differentiating between companies positioned to enable artificial intelligence and those potentially disrupted by it. "With U.S. tech wobbling, sentiments tend to trickle over to Asian tech," observed eToro's Zavier Wong.
Supply-Demand Dynamics and Manufacturing Update
A complex dynamic is influencing chip stocks. Strong demand from AI data centers for DRAM memory is coinciding with a supply shortage that is now impacting smartphone manufacturers. Industry tracker IDC forecasts this could lead to the first annual decline in global smartphone shipments since 2023.
On the production front, Samsung has received temporary occupancy approval for a section of its new semiconductor facility in Taylor, Texas. Local officials confirmed clearance for about 88,000 square feet, allowing some operational activities to begin before full completion.
Outlook and Key Events
Attention now turns to Monday's market reopening and a Nomura tech tour event scheduled for February 10. Traders will be monitoring:
- Shifts in the outlook for semiconductor demand and pricing
- Global risk appetite toward technology stocks
- Currency movements between the U.S. dollar and the Korean won
While the bullish narrative around AI spending continues to support chip stocks, analysts caution that persistent skepticism or further weakness in U.S. technology shares could present headwinds, even in the absence of specific negative news.
