Hanmi Semiconductor invests $32.9M in SpaceX, stock surges 25% on AI chip bet

Hanmi Semiconductor Makes Strategic SpaceX Investment

Hanmi Semiconductor disclosed in a regulatory filing that it plans to acquire 50 billion won ($32.9 million) worth of shares in SpaceX, timing the investment ahead of the space company's public debut on the Nasdaq exchange 1

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. The Hanmi Semiconductor investment in SpaceX represents approximately 7.24 percent of the Korean company's equity, signaling a major strategic pivot beyond its traditional semiconductor equipment business. The announcement triggered immediate market reaction, with Hanmi Semicon stock surging 25.3% to reach ₩364,500 during trading, hitting a session high of ₩372,500—its highest level in nearly a month 2

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Betting on Terrafab Semiconductor Manufacturing and AI Infrastructure

The investment rationale centers on the growth potential of Elon Musk's Terrafab, a vertically integrated semiconductor manufacturing complex that brings together Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI under one roof 1

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. Hanmi cited explosive demand for AI chips, aerospace and satellite technologies, and artificial intelligence as key drivers behind the decision. Terrafab semiconductor manufacturing operations are expected to commence in 2028, with approximately 80 percent of chips produced allocated to SpaceX data centers, while the remaining output will power Tesla vehicles and Optimus robots 1

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. This positions Hanmi at the convergence of AI infrastructure and space technology, two sectors experiencing unprecedented capital inflows.

Market Response and Analyst Activity

The SpaceX investment announcement reframed Hanmi's investment narrative beyond pure semiconductor equipment into the high-growth intersection of advanced chip manufacturing and emerging technologies 2

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. Adding momentum to the session, JPMorgan raised its price target on Hanmi Semiconductor to KRW 200,000 from KRW 150,000, acknowledging it had underestimated the scale and duration of the memory capital expenditure upcycle, though it maintained an Underweight rating citing valuation concerns 2

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. Hanmi holds the top global market share in thermocompression bonders for high-bandwidth memory production, placing it at the center of the AI chip supply chain.

SpaceX Nasdaq IPO and Future Returns

SpaceX is scheduled to go public on the tech-heavy Nasdaq exchange with an initial public offering price set at $135 per share, bringing its total market capitalization to approximately $1.8 trillion 1

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. A Hanmi official stated the company will reinvest expected future returns into its core semiconductor equipment business to pursue sustainable growth while enhancing shareholder value. The broader market context also supported the rally, with the KOSDAQ surging 4.8% in the prior session, buoyed by strong South Korean semiconductor export data and institutional net buying 2

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. The combination of strategic positioning in advanced chips, exposure to xAI's growth trajectory, and the explosive demand for AI chips creates a compelling narrative for investors watching how traditional chip equipment makers evolve alongside the AI revolution.