Semiconductors Found the Elixir of Life, Why They Broke Their Own Brakes | Lee Eun-taek, KB Securities Asset Allocation Strategy Director [Yeouido Insight]

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  May 04, 2026 at 09:00  |  51:33  |  3PRO TV (삼프로TV)

Summary

Lee Eun-taek of KB Securities discusses the unstoppable AI semiconductor investment cycle, bullish outlook for KOSPI, and domestic consumption resilience. He warns of eventual macro risks but sees no near-term catalyst to reverse the rally. He also analyzes Trump's negotiation patterns and oil's limited impact on equities.

  • AI semiconductor spending is self-reinforcing and cannot be stopped voluntarily; external macro shock needed to end the cycle.
  • KOSPI remains in a strong uptrend driven by semiconductors, solid GDP, and foreign inflows.
  • Korean domestic consumption and tourism sectors benefit from recovering Chinese arrivals and stable economy.
  • High oil prices are not currently hurting corporate earnings or triggering Fed tightening.
  • A potential KOSPI correction may occur around summer 2025 based on historical patterns.
  • Kevin Warsh's data-dependent approach and the trimmed-mean PCE metric could lead to late policy responses.
  • Trump's negotiation style follows a repeatable pattern that investors can use to time market shocks.
Trade Ideas
Korean domestic economy not as bad.
Korean domestic consumption and tourism stocks benefit from a rebound in Chinese tourist arrivals as Chinese travelers shift from Japan to Korea, and overall consumption data is not bad. While AI remains the dominant theme, investors can consider adding exposure to domestic-oriented sectors for diversification.
AI chip spending unstoppable due to race.
AI semiconductor investment is self-sustaining and cannot be stopped voluntarily because scaling laws continue to show improvement, competition among big tech is fierce, and companies see a clear path to AGI within 3-5 years. Any slowdown would only come from an external macro shock like recession or rate hikes, which are not imminent. Therefore the sector remains a compelling long.
Korean equities bullish; earnings and economy strong.
KOSPI is in a strong uptrend driven by AI semiconductors, solid GDP growth, increased foreign inflows, and a domestic economy that is not as weak as feared. Despite rapid gains, there is no imminent catalyst to reverse the trend, so investors should stay invested and not exit prematurely.
Up Next

This 3PRO TV (삼프로TV) video, published May 04, 2026, features Lee Eun-taek discussing Korean Domestic Consumption & Tourism Sector, SMH, EWY. 3 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Lee Eun-taek  · Tickers: Korean Domestic Consumption & Tourism Sector, SMH, EWY