Samsung (005930.KS), SK Hynix Shares Surge Over 8% on Report Temasek Plans Investment in Korean Chipmakers

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix shares jumped more than 8% each on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, after local media reported that Singapore’s Temasek Holdings plans direct investments in both memory chipmakers. The report sent South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index up as much as 5.1%, touching an intraday high of 6,590 points. 

Samsung trades under ticker 005930.KS, while SK Hynix trades under 000660.KS on the Korea Exchange.

What Temasek Is Reportedly Planning

Asia Business Daily first reported that Temasek intends to invest directly in Samsung and SK Hynix through its own internal investment team. That approach differs from how the fund typically handles overseas equity positions.

• Investment method: direct deployment by Temasek’s internal staff, not external managers.
• Temasek’s net portfolio value: S$518 billion, approximately $404.5 billion.
• Fund’s stated view: memory chips remain undervalued within the AI value chain.
• Contact confirmed: Temasek reached out to South Korea’s government to discuss timing.

This marks Temasek’s first reported foray into South Korean equities at this scale. The fund’s Annual Report 2026 already showed its net portfolio value grew by S$49 billion, or roughly 10.4%, over the past year.

Why Temasek Sees Value Despite The Massive Run-Up

Both stocks have already delivered extraordinary gains over the trailing twelve months, which makes Temasek’s timing notable. The fund apparently still sees room for further upside despite that run.

Samsung and SK Hynix shares have climbed more than 880% from last year’s lows, driven by the AI-fueled memory chip supercycle. Temasek’s interest reportedly intensified after South Korea’s approval of single-stock leveraged ETFs triggered extreme volatility in both names earlier this year.

[Exclusive] Singapore's Temasek to Buy Into Samsung, SK Hynix… Its First Ever Investment in Korean Stocks

Temasek, one of Asia's largest sovereign wealth funds, is making a new investment in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. This marks the first time Temasek has invested in the…

— Jukan (@jukan05) August 12, 2026

How Korean Markets Reacted Today

The rally extended well beyond just the two chipmakers, lifting the broader Korean index and related leveraged products. Foreign investors played a major role in driving today’s buying activity.

• KOSPI index: opened at 6,438 points, climbing to an intraday high of 6,590.
• Foreign investor net buying: over ₩1.2 trillion, approximately $847.9 million.
• Hong Kong-listed 2x leveraged SK Hynix product: up 16.23% intraday.
• Hong Kong-listed 2x leveraged Samsung product: up 17.39% intraday.

That leveraged product activity shows how quickly speculative capital chased today’s news across multiple markets simultaneously. Bloomberg separately reported that both stocks extended their gains beyond 8% as risk appetite recovered after last month’s broader Korean tech selloff.

A Second Catalyst: Record Shareholder Returns On The Way

Today’s rally didn’t rest on the Temasek report alone. A separate development this week added further fuel to investor optimism around both chipmakers.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are reportedly reviewing plans for combined shareholder returns exceeding 200 trillion won, or roughly $144 billion, according to Seoul Economic Daily. Samsung posted record quarterly operating profit of 89.5 trillion won on revenue of 171.5 trillion won in Q2 2026, giving the company unusually strong free cash flow to support expanded buybacks and special dividends.

What This Means For The Broader Chip Sector

Today’s surge also reflects renewed confidence after a rough stretch for Korean chipmakers just weeks earlier. SK Hynix briefly overtook Samsung as Korea’s most valuable company in June before a sharp reversal.

South Korean chipmakers extended gains following a local media report that Singapore’s Temasek Holdings plans to invest in their stocks https://t.co/CJo8oyggX7

— Bloomberg (@business) August 12, 2026

• SK Hynix’s June 2026 peak market cap: $1.35 trillion, briefly topping Samsung.
• SK Hynix’s subsequent slump: shares fell nearly 12.5% during a broader tech selloff.
• SK Hynix’s global HBM market share: projected to exceed 50% this year.
• SK Group’s related pledge: 80 trillion won ($56 billion) toward AI and chip investment.

That volatility underscores how sensitive both stocks remain to shifting sentiment around the broader AI infrastructure trade. Investors should watch for official confirmation of Temasek’s investment and any formal announcement on shareholder returns later this month.

Bottom Line

Temasek’s reported entry into Samsung and SK Hynix, paired with talk of record shareholder returns, gave Korean chipmakers their strongest single-day boost in weeks. With both stocks still up over 880% from last year’s lows, today’s rally shows institutional confidence in memory chips remains firmly intact.

Disclaimer:

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