[비즈한국] As reports of escalating conflict emerged—with Iran launching missiles and drones in retaliation for strikes by the US and Israel on key Iranian military and command facilities—defense-related stocks in the domestic market surged across the board.
As of the market close on the 3rd, LIG Nex1079550 closed up 29.86% at 661,000 won, Hanwha Systems272210 rose 29.14% to 146,700 won, and Hanwha Aerospace012450 climbed 19.83% to 1,432,000 won. Furthermore, Hyundai Rotem064350 closed 8.03% higher at 249,000 won, Poongsan103140, which specializes in ammunition and materials, rose 12.78% to 130,600 won, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) ended up 3.19% at 197,600 won.
Market observers suggest that rising tensions across the Middle East could increase demand for air defense systems and interceptor missiles, and there is speculation regarding a potential rise in demand for inventory replenishment following the depletion of air defense missiles. Amid this trend, buying pressure spread across the defense value chain, including LIG Nex1 (a major guided weapons manufacturer), Hanwha Systems (involved in radar and command and control systems), Hanwha Aerospace (which possesses a diverse portfolio of land and aviation defense products), Hyundai Rotem (a land equipment manufacturer), Poongsan (with a focus on ammunition and defense materials), and Korea Aerospace Industries (which holds aircraft manufacturing capabilities).
Conversely, on the same day, stocks in the semiconductor and robotics sectors, which had previously been market leaders, experienced significant declines. Samsung Electronics closed down 9.88% at 195,100 won, while SK Hynix fell 11.5% to 939,000 won. In the robotics sector, Doosan Robotics fell 7.70% to 98,300 won, Robotis dropped 10.57% to 258,000 won, SBB Tech, classified as a robot component stock, fell 9.05% to 56,300 won, and Neuromeka dropped 5.75% to 77,000 won. Hyundai Motor, which has gained attention for its AI robot company Boston Dynamics, fell 11.72% to 595,000 won, and Kia closed down 11.29% at 182,300 won.