A powerful AI chip surge has lifted SK Group to the top. The conglomerate recorded the largest market value gain among South Korea’s top ten business groups. This increase happened over the past year. Strong demand for artificial intelligence semiconductors drove the rally. SK Hynix, the group’s main chip affiliate, powered most of this growth.
The combined market cap of the ten largest conglomerates reached 3,832.65 trillion won as of Friday. That figure marks a 65 percent jump from 2,315.19 trillion won at the end of last year. Investor confidence in the technology sector fueled this broad rally. For SK Group, the AI chip surge proved especially beneficial. Its listed affiliates now hold a total market cap of 1,139.76 trillion won. That amount represents an 89.6 percent increase from 601.12 trillion won late last year.
Moreover, SK Hynix saw its market value soar 93 percent to 916.54 trillion won. The chipmaker’s performance directly powered the group’s ascent. SK Square, the group’s intermediary holding company, recorded a 128 percent jump. Its market capitalization now stands at 110.98 trillion won. Investors expect valuation gains from SK Square’s SK Hynix stake. Shares of SK Eternix, SK Telecom, and SK Innovation also posted strong advances. These gains further lifted the group’s total portfolio valuation.
Furthermore, Samsung Group secured the second position in market value growth. Its combined market capitalization rose 68 percent to 1,684.1 trillion won. Samsung Electronics, another chipmaking giant, drove this increase. The electronics affiliate’s market value climbed 82 percent to 1,289.1 trillion won. Thus, Samsung also benefitted from the AI chip surge, though less dramatically than SK.
Hanwha Group posted the third-largest increase. The energy-to-defense conglomerate saw its market cap rise 50 percent to 173.72 trillion won. Defense affiliates like Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems led the gains. Their rally followed the outbreak of conflict in the Iran war zone. Other major groups also recorded solid growth. Posco Group followed with a 46.5 percent increase. Hyundai Motor Group came next with a 46 percent gain. HD Hyundai Group posted a 44.6 percent rise. Shinsegae Group increased 42.9 percent. Lotte Group gained 42.3 percent. GS Group rose 39.3 percent. LG Group added 26.9 percent.
This market rally produced a significant milestone for South Korean listings. The number of companies with a market cap exceeding 1 trillion won reached 405. That figure includes preferred shares as well as common stock. It marks the first time this count has surpassed the 400 threshold. Within this total, 267 companies trade on the benchmark Kospi market. Another 137 companies trade on the secondary Kosdaq market. One additional company trades on the entry-level Konex market. Moreover, 79 listed firms now have a market capitalization above 10 trillion won. The ongoing AI chip surge primarily explains the dramatic rise for semiconductor-heavy groups. Defense and energy sectors also contributed meaningfully to the overall trend. Market analysts expect continued volatility but sustained interest in chip stocks. Future gains will likely depend on global AI infrastructure spending.
