SK Hynix shares fell 8.3% to ₩1,524,000 on Wednesday as a global equity selloff extended losses to South Korean chipmakers, with the KOSPI dropping over 6% within the first hour of trading.
The declines followed overnight declines on Wall Street, where Treasury yields rose amid concerns over inflation and interest rate policy. The KOSPI opened 4.9% lower and triggered a circuit-breaker mechanism when KOSPI 200 Futures dropped at least 5% for one minute, halting trading temporarily.
South Korea’s presidential office denied reports that the U.S. was pressuring SK Hynix to prioritize American-based fabrication plants within its investment commitments, though it did not provide further details on ongoing negotiations. The lack of clarity over policy direction added to investor uncertainty.
The stock’s steep drop was amplified by leveraged single-stock ETFs linked to SK Hynix, as margin-financed retail positions faced forced liquidations during the intraday decline. The company’s prior surge, fueled by AI-related demand, left it vulnerable to profit-taking as broader market sentiment soured.
