Energy Surge Pushes Korean ETFs Toward Oil, While Chips Take a Hit
South Korea’s Stock Market Shifts: Energy Wins, Semiconductors Slide
Last week’s trading saw a clear pivot toward energy‑related assets. Oil prices topped $100 per barrel, triggering a rush into crude‑oil and renewable‑energy funds.
| Asset Class | Highlight | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Energy ETFs | “PLUS Solar & ESS” | +18.17 % |
| Crude‑oil futures funds | ~+15 % | |
| Renewable energy & U.S. oil‑producer ETFs | Double‑digit gains | |
| Semiconductor Funds | “SOL Semiconductor Front‑End Process” ETF | –23.9 % |
| Other chip ETFs | –15 % to –20 % |
Key Takeaways
• Energy ETFs lead with up‑to +18 % returns.
• Semiconductor funds fall over 20 %, driven by profit‑taking and cycle concerns.
• Rising oil prices are expected to persist amid Middle East tensions, supply disruptions, and low global inventories.
• Even solid earnings from firms like Intel cannot counter the broader sell‑off, as global banks anticipate a slowdown.
The Korea Exchange data for May 20–24 underscores this divide: energy assets surged, while technology stocks felt the pressure of a potential memory‑chip cycle peak.
Overall, market sentiment favors energy investments amid geopolitical uncertainty, while technology stocks confront cycle‑related headwinds.
