EL7.AI
StocksHigh Impact•27 May 2026•
2 min read

SK Hynix Joins $1T Club as South Korean Tech Rally Echoes 1999 Bubble

Key Facts

1SK Hynix's market capitalization surpassed $1 trillion for the first time, driven by intense demand for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) chips.
2The South Korean Kospi index has risen 100% year-to-date in 2026, echoing the Nasdaq's 1999 tech bubble rally.
3SK Hynix controls 57% of the global HBM market share by revenue, leading competitors Samsung and Micron.

In a move reflecting the massive acceleration in the global tech arms race, SK Hynix's market capitalization has surpassed the $1 trillion milestone for the first time, driven by intense demand for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) chips. The company now controls 57% of the global HBM market share by revenue, successfully outpacing major rivals Samsung and Micron. This milestone coincides with a historic 100% year-to-date rally in the South Korean Kospi index, a surge that analysts compare to the 1999 Nasdaq tech bubble.

This exceptional performance reinforces comparisons with previous market manias, as per market data showing Samsung (005930.KS) and Micron (MU) facing stiff competition against SK Hynix’s dominance in AI hardware components. Recent research (Search: Bloomberg Intelligence) suggests that demand for advanced HBM3E chips is projected to grow at a compound annual rate exceeding 40% through 2030, justifying the aggressive valuations in the Korean market that have seen the Kospi double in less than five months.

Traders should monitor liquidity levels in the Korean market following the SK Hynix (000660.KS) record close on May 27, 2026. Looking ahead, investors are eyeing Japan’s Balance of Trade data on May 20 (per calendar data) as a proxy for Asian supply chain health, alongside the FOMC Minutes, which could significantly impact global risk appetite for high-growth technology stocks.