Quick overview

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Samsung Electronics reached an all-time high due to renewed investor confidence in its traditional memory business and excitement about its potential in artificial intelligence chips.

Its stock increased by 6 points to 94,400 won ($66) in Seoul when the market reopened on Friday following a week-long holiday, The largest company in South Korea has seen a 77% increase in shares this year, bringing its market capitalization to $393.05 billion.

 

Investors are placing their money on Samsung’s ability to overtake its smaller rival, SK Hynix Inc., in providing Nvidia with high-bandwidth memory, as well as others, for AI uses. Another benefit has been a huge supply agreement with OpenAI for both Korean companies.

Morgan Stanley analysts increased their price target for Samsung by 14% to 111,000 won, citing a significant increase in fourth-quarter memory chip prices and a strong demand cycle that is anticipated to last well into 2026, paving the way for “much higher upside from here.”

The global AI rally earlier this year was largely missed by Samsung shares, which ended September with their best monthly performance since 2020.

The stock has reached its most recent milestone thanks to foreign investors, in contrast to its previous peak in 2021, which was fueled by a local retail investor frenzy during the pandemic. The significant increases in Samsung and SK Hynix, which are up 146% in 2025, have contributed to South Korea’s stock market being among the best-performing this year. The benchmark Kospi has increased by 50% so far this year.