After one year and nine months, SK hynix has reclaimed the second position in the KOSPI market capitalization rankings, surpassing LG Energy Solution. With the semiconductor industry showing signs of recovery while the outlook for the secondary battery sector is unfavorable, it seems that SK hynix will maintain its second position for the time being.
According to the Korea Exchange on Dec. 14, SK hynix’s stock concluded trading at 136,700 won (US$105.72), marking a 4.19% increase from the previous day.
This surge propelled the market capitalization from 95 trillion won to the 99 trillion won range. At one point during the trading day, the market capitalization even exceeded the 100 trillion won mark.
LG Energy Solution, which held the second position in market capitalization, also closed the day at 422,500 won, representing a 3.05% increase from the previous day. However, it ultimately yielded its position to SK hynix.
Since the listing of LG Energy Solution on Jan. 27, 2022, SK hynix had consistently held the third position in market capitalization. On the day of LG Energy Solution’s listing, it recorded a market capitalization of 118.17 trillion won, while SK hynix’s market capitalization remained at 82.63 trillion won at that time. LG Energy Solution conceded the second position in market capitalization to SK hynix only for two days on March 17 and 18 of last year. At the beginning of this year, the market capitalization gap between the two companies even widened to as much as 50 trillion won.
Experts anticipate that SK hynix’s second-place position is likely be sustained in the near future. Kim Dong-won, a researcher at KB Securities, stated, “Assuming growth in demand in the downstream industry and ongoing improvements in memory supply for the next two years, SK hynix’s market capitalization is estimated to reach up to a maximum of 150 trillion won. With performance and stock prices entering an elevated phase, there is ample potential for further upward momentum in the future despite recent price increases.”