Nvidia outlook lifts South Korean chip stocks

South Korean stocks rose Thursday, led by chipmakers, after strong demand forecasts from US firm Nvidia. The KOSPI index gained 1.22 percent to 6,894.25 points. Nvidia projected 70 percent revenue growth next fiscal year, signaling sustained AI computing demand, though it warned memory component shortages will limit expansion. The Bank of Korea raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.00 percent, as expected, and lifted its 2026 growth forecast to 3.3 percent. Samsung Electronics rose 1.43 percent, SK Hynix gained 2.37 percent, and LG Energy Solution climbed 3.42 percent, while Hyundai Motor fell 1.96 percent. Foreign investors bought 73.3 billion won of stocks, and the won strengthened to 1,377.6 per dollar.