Jun 24, 2026 · 5 min
South Korean chip giants rally as Chinese AI startups see valuations soar
SK Hynix Rally, TSMC Slides, Zhipu Sale
As global tech supply chains reorganize, state support and corporate buybacks are drawing a new map for semiconductor dominance between South Korea, Taiwan, and China.
- 1Samsung and SK Hynix are recovering rapidly thanks to a massive stock buyback and South Korean government support for a new chip-making hub.
- 2Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is eyeing price increases to offset a broader market slide and maintain its dominant position.
- 3Chinese artificial intelligence startups like Zhipu are experiencing explosive valuation growth despite broader geopolitical tensions.
Don't miss
Anthony Stevens explains how Samsung's massive buyback program and South Korea's chip-making hub plans are successfully reversing the tech sell-off.
The brief
The Asian tech sector is undergoing a rapid recalibration as South Korean semiconductor giants Samsung and SK Hynix bounce back from a recent sell-off, stabilized by aggressive corporate action and state-backed infrastructure plans.
Samsung is attempting to restore investor confidence with a massive stock buyback program, while South Korea leverages government support to build a major chip-making hub to secure its position in the global supply chain.
Meanwhile, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is navigating an index slide by weighing potential price hikes, signaling its immense pricing power even as broader market pressures mount on global chipmakers.
In China, the focus shifts to rapid software innovation, where artificial intelligence startups like Zhipu are seeing explosive valuation growth, proving that local players are scaling fast despite geopolitical headwinds.
What was said on this episode
11 statements · 9 positive · 1 negative · 1 neutral
Samsung’s $58 billion buyback drove its stock up around 8%.
“Samsung released a huge buyback, $58 billion to to fund bonus payments and that's got the stock up around 8%”
Listen at 1:09
SK Hynix strengthened as South Korea’s semiconductor hub initiative gained momentum.
“Hynix was also strong after a very weak open as the premier's kind of leadership group talks about a chip semiconductor chip making hub in Korea that is gathering pace”
Listen at 1:16
The semiconductor market is seeking a level before Micron’s earnings.
“It does look like the market is trying to find a level ahead of Micron's pivotal earnings tonight.”
Listen at 1:34
TSMC’s hinted product-price increases contributed to a roughly 3% stock decline.
“TSMC hinting at raising prices across its product range. That's got TSMC down around 3%.”
Listen at 1:47
TSMC’s pricing signal buoyed Chinese competitors’ stocks by roughly 8–10%.
“it's buoyed some of the China competitors to TSMC. Those stocks are around anywhere from 8 to 10%.”
Listen at 1:54
China’s AI growth represents an opportunity for the rest of the world.
“China's AI growth is an opportunity for the rest of the world.”
Listen at 2:07
Chinese AI company Zhipu is raising several billion dollars through a share sale.
“it's given Chinese tech giant new tech giant Zhipu the confidence to raise several billion dollars in a share sale.”
Listen at 2:15
Zhipu’s stock has risen approximately 2,000% since its IPO.
“the stock is up some 2000% since.”
Listen at 2:45
Zhipu is opportunistically raising several billion dollars.
“they're using this opportunity to opportunistically raise several billion dollars.”
Listen at 2:47
US AI fundraising is much larger than Chinese AI fundraising.
“the US AI fundraising is much larger than the Chinese.”
Listen at 3:13
Investor demand for new AI-related securities is substantial.
“it just highlights how much investor demand there is for incremental new paper”
Listen at 3:21
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
Featuring
Anthony StevensMentioned
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC)
Artificial IntelligenceBooks & mentions
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