SK Hynix shares surge 13% on AI hopes as US tech stocks resume their climb

SEOUL, July 15 : Shares in SK Hynix jumped nearly 13 per cent in Seoul on Wednesday, tracking gains in U.S. tech stocks after softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data, while upbeat analyst views on the outlook for AI memory demand also supported sentiment.The rally lifted other South Korean semiconductor stocks, with Samsung Electronics rising nearly 8 per cent, while chip equipment maker Hanmi Semiconductor gained about 25 per cent in early trade. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq advanced on Tuesday as solid big bank results and a cooler-than-expected inflation report boosted risk appetite amid rising Middle East tensions.The gains came after weeks of volatility in chip stocks, as investors grappled with concerns over a potential slowdown in memory earnings growth as quarterly price increases m