South Korean chip stocks gain as Meta’s Muse AI agent spurs enthusiasm

South Korean semiconductor and equipment stocks rose Tuesday, following gains in US peers, as early signs of success for Meta Platforms Inc.’s new AI agent boosted investor sentiment.

Shares of Samsung Electronics Co. rose as much as 3.5%, while SK Hynix Inc. climbed 3.3%, helping lift the benchmark Kospi Index 2.3%.

The rally followed Meta’s Muse AI Agent climbing to the top of rankings on Apple Inc.’s free applications rankings after its launch earlier this month. Lower oil prices, amid hopes for diplomatic progress in the Iran war, further supported risk appetite.

Overnight, Meta shares jumped 11% in the US, while Advanced Micro Devices Inc. topped $1 trillion in market value. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index closed up 4.3% on Monday, the biggest one-day rally since Aug. 4.

Constructive talks ahead of a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping may also provide “additional support for cyclical areas of the market,” said Kyle Rodda, a senior analyst at Capital.com.

Stocks and bonds are getting a boost in an upbeat start to the week as oil fell and positive anticipation built ahead of a summit between US President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping.

S&P 500 futures advanced 0.7%. Nasdaq 100 contracts rose 1.1%, while chipmakers led gains in early US trading. Treasuries climbed, with European bonds outperforming, as a fourth straight decline in oil prices eased concerns about the inflationary impact of energy costs. The dollar traded flat.

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