Weekly Market Leaders & Top 10 Picks — May 11, 2026
The KOSPI hit record highs all last week (May 4–8), nearly reaching the 7,500 mark. While AI and semiconductors drove the rally, momentum is spreading to nuclear power, securities, and wireless telecommunications equipment. Key variables to watch this week include the U.S. CPI release and Big Tech earnings.
Weekly Market Leaders & Top 10 Picks — May 11, 2026
Key Weekly Market Leaders
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Semiconductors (Memory): SK Hynix jumped 28.62% and Samsung Electronics rose 23.13% in just three trading days at the start of May, leading the market. Analysts suggest the "memory revaluation is still in its early stages," with price targets reaching 3 million KRW for SK Hynix and 500,000 KRW for Samsung Electronics. Daishin Securities analyzed that "the semiconductor cycle could enjoy a longer boom than in the past."
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Nuclear Power (SMR) & Energy: Best analysts selected by Maeil Business Newspaper identify nuclear stocks as the top "new promising pick," citing the structural necessity of expanding Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) due to power shortages. Noh Geun-chang, head of the Hyundai Motor Securities Research Center, noted that the upward adjustment of power CAPEX to meet soaring AI data center demand is boosting KOSPI profit forecasts.
- Securities & Wireless Telecommunications Equipment: Best analysts are also eyeing securities stocks, noting they are well-positioned for the current "money move." Additionally, Asia Business Daily reported positive sentiment toward domestic wireless telecommunications equipment stocks ahead of the U.S. spectrum auction in June, citing a report by Kim Hong-sik of Hana Securities, which recommends buying these stocks before June. Momentum for this sector is expected to potentially last until 2028.
Top 10 Promising Picks for Next Week
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SK Hynix (000660) — Surged 28.62% in the first three trading days of May. Analysts set a target price of 3 million KRW, suggesting that "memory revaluation is still in the early phase" and HBM demand growth remains structural.
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Samsung Electronics (005930) — Rose 23.13% in the same period, with a target price of 500,000 KRW. The core argument rests on surging AI demand and the potential for an extended semiconductor boom cycle.
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Doosan Fuel Cell — Shares jumped about 27% to surpass 70,000 KRW on May 6, 2026, as the market responded positively to its strategic pivot toward SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) business. Despite missing the break-even point in Q1 after a 100-billion-KRW operating loss last year, expectations for the strategic shift boosted investor sentiment.
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Hyundai Mobis — Hit the daily limit on May 10, emerging as a strong stock within the "long strategy" portfolio.
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Philoptics — Hit the daily limit on May 10, reflecting expectations for recovering demand in precision optics and display materials.
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GST — Settled into a profitable range after being added to the long strategy portfolio. Classified as a semiconductor equipment and materials stock.
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Sammi Metal — Another stock in the same portfolio that has settled into a profitable range.
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Domestic SMR-related stocks (Nuclear Power) — A top pick by best analysts, supported by structural demand for SMR expansion due to power shortages and increased AI data center power CAPEX.
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Securities Stocks — Recommended by Maeil Business Newspaper’s best analysts as beneficiaries of the "money move," KOSPI strength, and rising transaction values.
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Domestic Wireless Telecommunications Equipment Stocks — Expected to benefit from the U.S. spectrum auction in June. Hana Securities recommends buying before June, citing the sector's tendency to price in news early and projecting upward momentum through 2028.
Macro Environment and Strategy Analysis
Drivers of This Week's Rise
The KOSPI hit record highs every day from May 4–8, nearly reaching the 7,500 line. Key drivers included the semiconductor cycle boom due to global AI demand and eased geopolitical risks following the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire agreement.
According to KB Financial analysis, after falling to 5,042 points in late March, the KOSPI rebounded on the back of resumed U.S.-Iran negotiations, followed by a full-scale AI and semiconductor rally.
Noh Geun-chang of Hyundai Motor Securities pointed out that "existing KOSPI forecasts do not fully reflect the global surge in AI demand, the upward revision of related CAPEX, and the subsequent increase in KOSPI earnings," suggesting that the KOSPI reaching 10,000 is now within reach.
A strategy report by Daishin Securities (May 6) explained that the KOSPI remains strong despite interest rate hike signals due to: ① inflation occurring while growth rates are declining less than expected, and ② the potential for a longer semiconductor cycle than previously seen.
Key Variables and Strategy for Next Week
The key variables for next week are the U.S. CPI release and Big Tech earnings. Investors should be mindful of potential increased volatility in the KOSPI after its rapid rise.
Some analyses suggest a "weak start, strong finish" pattern for the May market. It is important to watch the trend of leadership spreading from semiconductors to nuclear power, securities, and wireless telecommunications.
Investment strategy recommendations include: ▲ holding existing semiconductor positions for the long term as the cycle is not yet over, while considering taking some profits ▲ diversifying into spreading sectors like nuclear energy, securities, and wireless telecommunications equipment ▲ preparing for volatility surrounding macro events like the U.S. CPI.
Disclaimer: This article is information content based on reports from securities firms and economic media outlets. The ultimate responsibility for investment decisions lies with the investor.
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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