Shares of SK Hynix climbed 7.4% on Monday to KRW 2,309,000, fueled by strong global demand for artificial intelligence-linked technology stocks and a worldwide shortage of memory chips. The stock’s surge contributed to record levels in South Korea’s equity markets, underscoring the influence of major technology companies in driving recent gains.
The sharp increase in SK Hynix’s share price reflects a broader rally among technology firms, including Samsung Electronics. So far in 2026, SK Hynix’s stock has delivered a 240% return as investors seek exposure to companies positioned in the high-bandwidth memory chip sector.
Amid heightened market interest, SK Hynix is moving to tap U.S. capital markets with a proposed listing of American Depositary Receipts. The company aims to launch its ADR offering as soon as August 2026. Regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission is anticipated on June 22. Through this offering, SK Hynix is targeting to raise $14 billion, which is expected to support the company’s leading role in the memory chip industry over the medium to long term.
Meanwhile, major indices in the Asia Pacific surged on Monday, with Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi surging by 5%. This is buoyed by signs that tensions in the Middle East could soon ease following an agreement between the United States and Iran. The prospect of peace in the region has drawn investor interest, with anticipation of a reduction in the risk premium attached to crude oil prices.
Iran and the United States have reached a consensus to cease all military actions, according to a statement from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He noted that the official signing of the agreement is planned for Friday, June 19, in Switzerland, with Pakistan acting as a mediator for the talks.
President Donald Trump confirmed the completion of the peace agreement with Iran, stating in a social media message that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen to global shipping, free from tolls, and the U.S. will end its naval blockade. He encouraged international shipping to resume, emphasizing the return of oil flows from the region.
Expectations for normalized oil shipments through the Persian Gulf have contributed to optimism in financial markets, as a removal of the geopolitical risk premium could provide relief from upward pressure on global inflation.
