On the 22nd, high-bandwidth memory (HBM)-related stocks are showing weakness across the board in the domestic stock market. Led by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment stocks are also falling together, with selling pressure spreading throughout the sector.

■ Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Fall Over 4%

As of 12:54 p.m. on the 22nd, Samsung Electronics is trading at 214,500 won, down 4.03% from the previous day. SK Hynix is also weak, falling 4.79% to 1,232,000 won.

■ HBM Small- and Mid-Cap Stocks Also Decline

HBM-related small- and mid-cap stocks are also unable to escape the downward trend. Hanmi Semiconductor fell 4.98% from the previous day to 192,900 won, while MK Electron dropped 4.30% to 14,450 won. Zeus is down 4.16% at 11,510 won, and Unitest is down 4.12% at 11,160 won. Sangshin Electronics is also being pushed down 3.90% to 8,370 won.

In addition, Jusstem fell 3.74% to 6,950 won, and Auros Technology dropped 4.43% to 10,350 won, joining the weak trend.

With major stocks posting declines of around 3-5%, this is not a correction limited to a few individual stocks but a pattern of downward pressure being applied across HBM-related stocks in general.

■ KOSPI Down 2.87%, KOSDAQ Down 2.33%

The country's two main indices are also declining together. At the same time, the KOSPI is down 165.00 points (-2.87%) from the previous day at 5,570.66, while the KOSDAQ is down 18.51 points (-2.33%) at 774.25. In particular, with large-cap semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix falling simultaneously, investment sentiment toward related industries is also shrinking.

■ Key Points to Watch in the Afternoon Session

However, it is necessary to distinguish whether today's broad weakness is due to a change in the mid- to long-term growth outlook for the HBM industry or is an effect of an overall market correction.

In the afternoon session, the key points to watch will be: ▲whether Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix can narrow their losses ▲whether HBM-related small- and mid-cap stocks attempt a rebound ▲whether the KOSPI and KOSDAQ fall further.

Meanwhile, it is also noteworthy that Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which both closed higher the previous day on the 21st, turned back to a downward trend just one day later.

[※ This article is based on market prices as of 12:54 p.m. on the 22nd, and intraday stock prices and indices are subject to change. Investment decisions and the responsibility for them rest with the investor.]