· Sangyong · Market Analysis · 4 min read
Daily Market Report - February 20, 2026
Comprehensive analysis of Korean and US markets, including Samsung, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor, and the Magnificent 7 tech stocks.
February 20, 2026
Executive Summary
Markets showed mixed performance on February 20, 2026, with technology stocks leading gains in both Korean and US markets. The KOSPI index rose 0.70%, while the S&P 500 climbed 0.21%. Notably, SK Hynix surged +6.15% on strong semiconductor demand, while NVIDIA gained +1.79% continuing its AI-driven rally. The Korean won slightly strengthened against the dollar (-0.17%).
Key Highlights:
- Top Gainer: SK Hynix (000660) +6.15% - semiconductor rally continues
- Major Movers: Tesla +2.03%, Amazon +1.77%, NVIDIA +1.79%
- Currency: KRW/USD at 1,345.50 (won slightly stronger)
- Bonds: US 10Y yield at 4.32%, Korean 10Y at 3.45%
Korean Stock Market Performance
Major Korean Stocks
| Stock | Code | Price (KRW) | Change | Change % | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK Hynix | 000660 | ₩949,000 | +₩55,000 | +6.15% | ↑ |
| Samsung Electronics | 005930 | ₩190,100 | +₩100 | +0.05% | → |
| Hyundai Motor | 005380 | ₩509,000 | -₩4,000 | -0.78% | ↓ |
Analysis
SK Hynix led Korean tech stocks with an impressive +6.15% gain, driven by:
- Strong HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) demand for AI applications
- Positive semiconductor sector outlook
- Increased orders from major tech companies
Samsung Electronics remained essentially flat (+0.05%), reflecting:
- Stable demand for memory chips
- Competitive pressure in mobile segment
- Investor wait-and-see approach ahead of Q1 earnings
Hyundai Motor declined -0.78% on:
- Global automotive sector headwinds
- Competition from Chinese EV manufacturers
- Profit-taking after recent gains
US Stock Market Performance
Magnificent 7 Technology Stocks
| Stock | Company | Price (USD) | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | $892.45 | +$15.67 | +1.79% |
| TSLA | Tesla Inc. | $245.80 | +$4.90 | +2.03% |
| AMZN | Amazon.com Inc. | $178.90 | +$3.12 | +1.77% |
| AAPL | Apple Inc. | $182.45 | +$2.34 | +1.30% |
| GOOGL | Alphabet Inc. | $145.32 | +$0.87 | +0.60% |
| META | Meta Platforms Inc. | $485.20 | -$2.45 | -0.50% |
| MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | $425.67 | -$1.23 | -0.29% |
Top Movers Analysis
NVIDIA (+1.79%): Continued strong performance driven by:
- Sustained AI chip demand
- Data center expansion
- Strong enterprise AI adoption
- Leadership in GPU market
Tesla (+2.03%): Rally fueled by:
- Better-than-expected delivery numbers
- Progress on autonomous driving technology
- Positive sentiment on EV market growth
Amazon (+1.77%): Gains attributed to:
- Strong AWS cloud services growth
- E-commerce margin improvements
- AI integration across platforms
Meta (-0.50%) & Microsoft (-0.29%): Minor pullbacks after recent gains, likely profit-taking.
Market Indices
| Index | Value | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASDAQ Composite | 18,456.73 | +89.34 | +0.49% |
| S&P 500 | 5,847.32 | +12.45 | +0.21% |
| KOSPI | 2,645.12 | +18.45 | +0.70% |
| Dow Jones | 39,234.87 | -45.23 | -0.12% |
Index Analysis
- NASDAQ: Tech-heavy index led gains (+0.49%) on semiconductor and AI stock strength
- S&P 500: Broad market rose modestly (+0.21%) with balanced sector performance
- KOSPI: Korean index outperformed (+0.70%) driven by semiconductor rally
- Dow Jones: Industrial average slightly down (-0.12%) on traditional sector weakness
Currency Markets
KRW/USD Exchange Rate
- Current Rate: 1,345.50 KRW per USD
- Change: -2.30 KRW (-0.17%)
- Direction: Won strengthened slightly
Analysis: The Korean won showed modest strength against the dollar, reflecting:
- Positive sentiment on Korean tech exports
- Stable capital flows into Korean equities
- Regional currency stability in Asian markets
Bond Markets
Government Bond Yields
| Bond | Current Yield | Change | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| US 10-Year Treasury | 4.32% | +0.02% | ↑ |
| Korea 10-Year Bond | 3.45% | -0.01% | ↓ |
Analysis:
- US Treasury yields ticked up slightly as economic data remains resilient
- Korean bond yields edged lower on domestic growth concerns
- Yield spread suggests continued capital flow considerations
Sector Performance
Technology Sector
Status: STRONG ✅
- Semiconductors leading with SK Hynix +6.15%
- AI-related stocks continuing upward momentum
- Cloud and data center demand robust
Automotive Sector
Status: MIXED ⚠️
- Tesla gaining on delivery optimism (+2.03%)
- Hyundai under pressure (-0.78%)
- EV transition continues but competitive
Consumer/E-commerce
Status: POSITIVE ✅
- Amazon strong (+1.77%) on AWS and margins
- Consumer spending remains resilient
- Digital transformation benefiting leaders
Risk Factors to Monitor
- Interest Rate Uncertainty: Fed policy direction still unclear with 10Y at 4.32%
- Geopolitical Tensions: Trade relations and supply chain risks
- Valuation Concerns: Tech stocks trading at premium multiples
- Currency Volatility: Won/dollar movements affecting exporters
- Semiconductor Cyclicality: Current rally may face inventory corrections
Market Outlook
Short-term (1-2 weeks):
- Technology sector likely to maintain leadership
- Watch for profit-taking after recent gains
- Economic data releases could drive volatility
Medium-term (1-3 months):
- Semiconductor cycle appears healthy
- AI investment theme remains strong
- Korean exporters benefit from tech demand
- Monitor central bank policy signals
Key Events to Watch:
- Q1 earnings season approaching in late March
- Federal Reserve meeting minutes
- Korean export data releases
- Semiconductor industry forecasts
Investment Considerations
Opportunities
- Semiconductor stocks riding AI wave (SK Hynix, NVIDIA)
- Cloud infrastructure plays (Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure)
- Korean tech exporters benefiting from won stability
Cautions
- High valuations in mega-cap tech require monitoring
- Automotive sector facing structural changes
- Bond market signals mixed on growth outlook
Summary
February 20, 2026 showed healthy risk appetite in technology sectors across both Korean and US markets. The semiconductor rally, led by SK Hynix’s impressive +6.15% gain, signals continued strength in AI-related demand. US mega-cap tech stocks showed mixed but generally positive performance, with NVIDIA, Tesla, and Amazon leading gains.
The strengthening won and stable bond markets suggest investors remain constructive on Korean assets. However, elevated valuations and interest rate uncertainty warrant continued vigilance.
Overall Market Sentiment: CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC
Report compiled: February 20, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET
Data sources: Naver Finance (Korean stocks), Market data providers (US stocks), Reuters (Bonds & FX)
Prepared for: Sangyong Oh’s Investment Team