Today's Key Metrics
Samsung Electronics (005930) closed at 275,500 KRW on May 19, 2026, down 5,500 KRW (-1.96%) from the previous day. The biggest headwind was foreign investors' massive sell-off of over 6 trillion won in a single day, dragging the entire KOSPI below the 7,200 level—extending a streak of nine consecutive days of net selling (cumulative outflow of 41 trillion won). With a union-wide strike scheduled for May 21st, last-minute negotiations are underway. Meanwhile, Nomura and JP Morgan have raised their price targets for Samsung, citing structural growth in AI memory demand.
Today's Key Metrics
| Indicator | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Closing Price (KRW) | 275,500 | -5,500 (-1.96%) |
| Trading Volume | — | Record volatility |
| Market Cap | — | KOSPI weighting — |
| 52-Week High/Low | — / — | — |
| PER / PBR | — / — | — |
| Foreign Ownership | — | 9 consecutive days of net selling |
Supply & Demand Trends
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Foreign Investors' Massive Sell-Off: On May 19th alone, foreign investors dumped over 6 trillion won from the KOSPI, marking a record-breaking sell-off day. Large semiconductor stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix were the primary targets.
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Nine Consecutive Days of Foreign Net Selling: As of May 19th, foreign investors have maintained net selling for nine straight trading days, withdrawing a cumulative 41 trillion won or more from the KOSPI.
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Retail Investors Buying the Dip: Analysis shows that while foreign investors were aggressively dumping Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix last week, domestic retail investors absorbed significant volumes. On May 18th alone, retail investors purchased about 2.2 trillion won net, temporarily sending the KOSPI to recover toward the 7,516 level.
Key News & Catalysts
Foreign Investors Dump 6 Trillion Won, KOSPI Breaks Below 7,200
A surge in U.S. Treasury yields triggered by Middle East geopolitical risks sparked risk-off sentiment, prompting foreign investors to net-sell over 6 trillion won from the KOSPI in a single day. Samsung Electronics experienced extreme volatility, with sell-side circuit breakers triggered intraday, while the KOSPI fear index (VKOSPI) spiked to 74.
Samsung Electronics Union Strike Looms for May 21st as Final Negotiations Underway
Samsung Electronics is holding final negotiations with unions ahead of a May 21st strike. A strike involving roughly 45,000 workers in the memory semiconductor business could disrupt the supply chain for HBM—a critical component in the AI boom. Fortune has warned that this strike could dampen the AI momentum.
Nomura and JP Morgan Raise Samsung Price Targets in Lockstep
Nomura Securities raised Samsung Electronics' price target to 590,000 KRW, citing explosive growth in AI memory demand. JP Morgan also lifted its target to 480,000 KRW, based on structural growth in AI demand and long-term supply contracts. Both institutions maintain a bullish stance on Samsung and SK Hynix.
Semiconductor Sector Outlook & Competitive Positioning
Samsung Electronics' HBM4 chip began mass production in February 2026, reportedly exceeding initial performance expectations, and reports indicate the entire 2026 HBM4 production run is already sold out. Samsung reclaimed the top global DRAM market share position by supplying HBM to Nvidia at the end of 2025 and expanding legacy memory production. SK Hynix and Samsung have warned that AI-driven memory shortages could persist beyond 2027, emphasizing that major customers are already booking supply volumes years in advance. Samsung's operating profit in Q1 2026 surged more than eightfold year-over-year, and the company is developing HBM4 in complex packaging formats for on-device AI in smartphones and tablets. Reports also indicate that yields for the latest 1b-node DRAM have improved significantly, bolstering expectations for competitive advantage strengthening.
Global Perspective
Nomura Securities highlighted that AI inference demand is driving explosive growth in memory consumption, setting Samsung Electronics' price target at 590,000 KRW (representing approximately 114% upside from current levels) and naming it a core beneficiary of the AI memory upcycle. JP Morgan raised its target to 480,000 KRW based on structural AI demand growth and long-term supply contracts. As of May 19th afternoon Seoul time, Samsung Electronics was trading around 272,000 KRW (per TradingKey), and global investment banks remain confident in medium-to-long-term upside driven by the AI memory cycle, despite near-term foreign selling pressure.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Near-term (1 week): May 21st Samsung union strike outcome—if a strike materializes, watch for potential HBM production disruptions and additional price volatility
- Medium-term (1-2 quarters): Expansion of HBM4 supply contracts and new AI accelerator customer shipments; Q2 guidance release to confirm rising revenue share from the AI memory segment
- Risk Factors: ① Continued foreign selling—nine consecutive days of 41 trillion-won outflow could sustain supply-demand pressure / ② Middle East geopolitical risk driving spike in U.S. Treasury yields and strengthening global risk-off sentiment / ③ Extended strike risk could disrupt HBM production lines and delay AI customer shipments
Action Items for Readers
- Check Samsung Strike Outcome on May 21st—Union negotiations are the critical variable determining near-term direction; confirm strike or settlement status before market open
- Monitor Daily KRX Foreign Investor Flow—The reversal point from nine consecutive days of net selling (when foreign investors return to net buying) could signal a near-term rebound; check Korea Exchange data daily
- Track Gap Between Nomura/JP Morgan Targets (590K/480K KRW) and Current Price—The wide spread between current price (~275K KRW) and global IB targets (480K–590K KRW) signals medium-term investment appeal; monitor alongside AI memory indicators (DRAMeXchange HBM spot prices, Nvidia quarterly guidance)
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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