· Sangyong · Market Analysis · 2 min read
Daily Market Report - February 24, 2026
Comprehensive analysis of Korean and US markets, including Samsung, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor, and the Magnificent 7 tech stocks.
February 24, 2026
Executive Summary
Markets showed mixed performance on February 24, 2026, with technology stocks leading gains in both Korean and US markets. The KOSPI index rose 0.68%, while the S&P 500 climbed 0.24%. Notably, SK Hynix surged +5.95% on strong semiconductor demand, while NVIDIA gained +1.94% continuing its AI-driven rally. The Korean won slightly strengthened against the dollar (-0.10%).
Key Highlights:
- Top Gainer: SK Hynix (000660) +5.95% - semiconductor rally continues
- Major Movers: Tesla +2.05%, Amazon +1.50%, NVIDIA +1.94%
- Currency: KRW/USD at 1,440.82 (won slightly stronger)
- Bonds: US 10Y yield at 4.03%, Korean 10Y at 3.42%
Korean Stock Market Performance
Major Korean Stocks
| Stock | Code | Price (KRW) | Change | Change % | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK Hynix | 000660 | ₩948,000 | +₩53,000 | +5.95% | ↑ |
| Samsung Electronics | 005930 | ₩191,100 | +₩1,000 | +0.53% | → |
| Hyundai Motor | 005380 | ₩510,000 | -₩3,000 | -0.58% | ↓ |
Analysis
SK Hynix led Korean tech stocks with an impressive +5.95% gain, driven by:
- Strong HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) demand for AI applications
- Positive semiconductor sector outlook
- Increased orders from major tech companies
Samsung Electronics showed modest gains of +0.53%, reflecting:
- Stable demand for memory chips
- Investor caution ahead of Q1 earnings
Hyundai Motor fell -0.58% on:
- Global competition in the EV market
- Profit-taking after recent gains
US Stock Market Performance
Magnificent 7 Technology Stocks
| Stock | Company | Price (USD) | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | $891.50 | +$17.02 | +1.94% |
| TSLA | Tesla Inc. | $248.50 | +$4.99 | +2.05% |
| AMZN | Amazon.com Inc. | $177.80 | +$2.65 | +1.50% |
| AAPL | Apple Inc. | $185.67 | +$3.12 | +1.71% |
| GOOGL | Alphabet Inc. | $146.23 | +$0.78 | +0.53% |
| META | Meta Platforms Inc. | $483.45 | -$2.12 | -0.44% |
| MSFT | Microsoft Corp. | $429.12 | -$1.89 | -0.44% |
Top Movers Analysis
NVIDIA (+1.94%): Maintains strong performance driven by:
- Sustained AI chip demand
- Leadership in GPU market for data centers
Tesla (+2.05%): Rally fueled by:
- Improved Q4 delivery estimates
- Investor optimism in EV market growth
Amazon (+1.50%): Gains supported by:
- Increased AWS cloud adoption
- Broadening consumer spending trends
Market Indices
| Index | Value | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASDAQ Composite | 18,556.45 | +122.50 | +0.66% |
| S&P 500 | 5,865.10 | +14.32 | +0.24% |
| KOSPI | 2,751.67 | +18.49 | +0.68% |
| Dow Jones | 39,457.89 | -45.32 | -0.11% |
Currency Markets
KRW/USD Exchange Rate
- Current Rate: 1,440.82 KRW per USD
- Change: -1.15 KRW (-0.10%)
- Direction: Won strengthened slightly
Analysis: The KRW showed modest strength, reflecting:
- Export-driven optimism in Korean tech markets
- Relatively stable capital inflows
Bond Markets
Government Bond Yields
| Bond | Current Yield | Change | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| US 10-Year Treasury | 4.03% | +0.01% | ↑ |
| Korea 10-Year Bond | 3.42% | -0.01% | ↓ |
Analysis:
- US Treasury yields edged up slightly as economic data remained firm
- Korea yields fell marginally due to soft domestic economic signals
Sector Performance
Technology Sector
Status: STRONG ✅
- SK Hynix and NVIDIA lead gains with AI-driven demand
Automotive Sector
Status: POSITIVE ✅
- Tesla shines globally, Hyundai faces local pressures
Risk Factors to Monitor
- US Interest Rate Policy: Fed decision on rate hikes
- Korean Export Trends: Demand shifts impacting tech
- Bond Yield Movements: Signs of economic resilience or slowdown
Overall Sentiment: Cautiously Optimistic (Continuation of AI-driven rally)