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Goldman Sachs KOSPI 12,000 target compared with the September 7 KOSPI level of 6,995.39 AI data-center investment strengthens Korea’s memory cycle as demand for advanced memory continues to rise Stronger Korean earnings could support a KOSPI valuation re-rating and renewed foreign investor inflows Key conditions investors should watch for the KOSPI to move toward Goldman Sachs’ 12,000 target
Markets

Goldman Sees KOSPI at 12,000. What Does Korea See?

Goldman Sachs sees the KOSPI reaching 12,000, reflecting a bullish view that Korea’s semiconductor-led earnings cycle can continue driving corporate profit growth. Other global investment banks also maintain aggressive targets, reinforcing the view that Korea could have substantial upside if stronger earnings are accompanied by a sustained valuation re-rating.
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September 7, 2026 · 8 min read
Korea’s AI semiconductor rally expands beyond memory giants into equipment, materials and testing companies AI infrastructure demand expands across Korea’s semiconductor value chain from chips to equipment, materials and testing Rising AI infrastructure investment expands opportunities across Korea’s semiconductor supply chain AI demand creates broader investment opportunities across Korea’s semiconductor supply chain
Technology

The AI Trade Is Spreading Beyond Korea’s Memory Giants

Korea’s AI semiconductor trade is beginning to broaden beyond Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. As expectations for global AI infrastructure spending remain strong, investors are increasingly looking across Korea’s semiconductor supply chain for the next layer of earnings exposure.
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September 7, 2026 · 9 min read

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The KOSPI remains resilient despite foreign selling as corporate share buybacks absorb market supply Samsung Electronics and SK hynix share buybacks are absorbing foreign selling and supporting the KOSPI Corporate share buybacks are strengthening KOSPI resilience by absorbing selling pressure and supporting market demand Key factors to watch for the KOSPI including corporate buybacks, foreign investor flows, liquidity conditions and the AI earnings cycle
Markets

Who Is Holding Up the KOSPI?

The KOSPI is showing unusual resilience despite continued foreign investor selling. A key source of support is coming from corporate Korea, as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix execute large-scale share buyback programs totaling KRW 55 trillion. These purchases are helping absorb market supply and cushion selling pressure, creating an important domestic demand buffer for the index. The key question for investors is whether the KOSPI can maintain its strength once this extraordinary source of corporate buying begins to fade.
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September 3, 2026 · 8 min read
Cosmax benefits from record K-Beauty exports and rising global demand for Korean cosmetics K-Beauty exports are expanding across the U.S. and Europe, creating broader global demand for Cosmax manufacturing Cosmax converts global K-Beauty demand into record sales and earnings through its global cosmetics manufacturing platform Key growth catalysts to watch as Cosmax expands its global cosmetics ODM business
Consumer

Cosmax Is the Picks-and-Shovels Play on K-Beauty

Cosmax is emerging as a picks-and-shovels play on the global K-Beauty boom. As Korean beauty brands expand across the U.S., Europe and other international markets, rising demand for outsourced product development and manufacturing is driving higher volumes across Cosmax’s global production network. Record sales, improving overseas profitability and continued capacity expansion suggest that K-Beauty’s global growth is increasingly translating into a structural earnings opportunity for one of Korea’s leading cosmetics ODM platforms.
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September 3, 2026 · 8 min read
Korea’s defense industry is turning record order backlogs and global demand into earnings growth Global rearmament is driving higher defense spending and record order backlogs across Korea’s major defense companies Korea’s defense industry is entering a multi-year growth cycle as record backlogs, capacity expansion and operating leverage drive stronger earnings Key factors to watch as Korea’s defense companies convert record order backlogs into sustainable earnings growth
Industrials

K-Defense Is Becoming an Earnings Story

Korea’s defense industry is entering a new phase as years of export wins begin converting into revenue and earnings. Major defense companies including Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem, KAI and LIG Nex1 are supported by nearly KRW 100 trillion in combined backlogs, providing multi-year revenue visibility. With global defense spending remaining structurally elevated and Korean suppliers expanding production capacity, the K-Defense investment story is increasingly shifting from order growth toward execution, profitability and sustained earnings expansion.
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September 3, 2026 · 9 min read