$120.9 billion: South Korea's record exports of AI chips

WHAT HAPPENED

South Korea exported $120.9 billion in September, a monthly record and 83.5% more than a year ago. AI memory chips contributed $60.3 billion, 260% more; almost half of its external sales.

WHY IT MATTERS

The demand for AI data centers continues to drive chip purchases, benefiting first manufacturers and equipment and materials suppliers; then, technology companies. But cars (-5%) and auto parts (-7%) show a concentrated boom.

AND FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO

For a long-term portfolio, the data reinforces that investment in AI is reaching real factories, not just software. Samsung and SK Hynix are at the center; the decline in cars reminds us that growth does not cover the entire economy.