Semiconductor ETFs Sweep Top Returns as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally

Semiconductor stocks leading the domestic market rally continue to hit record highs, driving strong performance in semiconductor-themed exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ETFs with heavy weightings in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have posted particularly impressive returns.

According to Koscom ETF Check data as of the 2nd, semiconductor-related ETFs claimed the top seven spots in overall returns over the past week. TIGER Semiconductor TOP10 Leverage led with a 34.7% return, followed by TIGER 200IT Leverage at 30.7% and KODEX Semiconductor Leverage at 27.1%.

These products all have significant exposure to SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. Following Nvidia's strong earnings announcement on the 26th of last month, Samsung Electronics shares broke through 220,000 won, while SK Hynix approached the 1.1 million won level after hitting an all-time high.

Beyond leveraged products, SOL Semiconductor Backend (23.1%), KODEX AI Semiconductor Core Equipment (23.0%), ACE AI Semiconductor Focus (22.5%), and TIGER AI Semiconductor Core Process (19.8%) also ranked among top performers. These ETFs share the highest weighting in Hanmi Semiconductor.

Hanmi Semiconductor shares surged for two consecutive days following Nvidia's earnings beat and news on the 27th of the company's world-first "BOC COB Bonder" launch and equipment supply deal with an overseas client. The stock jumped 51% over two trading days, rising from 214,500 won on the 25th to 323,500 won at the close on the 27th.

As the semiconductor sector drives domestic market gains, capital inflows into related ETFs are accelerating. Over the past month, TIGER Semiconductor TOP10 attracted net inflows exceeding 1.1 trillion won—the largest among single-theme products excluding broad market index-tracking ETFs.

Retail investors are showing strong appetite for these ETFs. Individual investors made net purchases of 821.1 billion won in TIGER Semiconductor TOP10 last month, ranking second overall behind KODEX 200, which tracks the KOSPI 200 index.

Expanding demand for semiconductor ETFs has spurred asset managers to launch new products. On the 26th of last month, KB Asset Management introduced Korea's first ETF combining concentrated 25% allocations each to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix with bond holdings for added stability—the RISE Samsung Electronics SK Hynix Bond Mixed 50 ETF.