On August 13, 2025, the global technology sector found itself in the spotlight as a surge in semiconductor demand and shifting export policies sent ripples through international financial markets. Investors watched with keen interest as stocks tied to the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, particularly those linked to semiconductor giants like Nvidia and AMD, posted significant gains. The day’s developments weren’t just numbers flashing on a screen—they reflected deeper shifts in global trade, consumer demand, and the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence technologies.
According to a report by การเงินธนาคาร, Nvidia and AMD saw their stock prices rocket by approximately 15% on August 13, 2025. The stocks closed at 11 baht and 68 satang, signaling a dramatic boost in investor confidence. This uptick was not an isolated event. The broader market also responded positively: the ICT industry stock index climbed by 6 points, and the sector’s value swelled by 14.5%, as reported by อินโฟเควสท์. Clearly, something big was happening in the world of chips and circuits.
Much of this optimism can be traced back to a combination of policy shifts and robust demand for advanced technologies. In a move that surprised many industry watchers, U.S. authorities allowed Nvidia and AMD to resume exports of their high-performance chips to China, provided that the companies shared 15% of their revenue from these sales. This decision, reported in การเงินธนาคาร, was seen as a trade-off—balancing geopolitical concerns with the undeniable pull of the Chinese market.
The immediate effect? A surge in trading volumes and renewed enthusiasm among investors. The market’s reaction was palpable, with related financial market activity intensifying on August 13. “The stock price reached 11 baht and 68 satang,” การเงินธนาคาร noted, underscoring the rapid response to the export news. The move was widely interpreted as a sign that the U.S. is willing to accommodate the commercial interests of its leading chipmakers, even as it navigates complex international relationships.
But the story didn’t end with American companies. Across the Pacific, South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy announced that ICT product exports had risen for the sixth consecutive month, bolstered by the unrelenting global appetite for semiconductors. In July alone, South Korea’s ICT exports jumped 14.5% year-on-year, reaching a hefty $22.19 billion, as detailed by อินโฟเควสท์. The ministry highlighted that “chip exports soared by 31.2% to $14.72 billion due to strong demand for high-end products such as DDR5 and HBM memory chips used in Gen AI chipsets.”
These high-end memory technologies—DDR5 and HBM—are at the heart of the artificial intelligence revolution, enabling faster processing and greater efficiency in next-generation devices. The report from อินโฟเควสท์ emphasized that Gen AI, shorthand for generative artificial intelligence, has become a key growth driver in the sector. As businesses and consumers alike clamor for smarter, faster, and more capable devices, the companies that supply the underlying hardware are reaping the rewards.
Not all segments of the ICT sector enjoyed the same fortune, however. While chip exports soared, South Korea’s display exports dropped 8.9% to $1.76 billion, and mobile phone exports plummeted by 21.7% to $960 million. Computer and peripheral exports also took a hit, falling 17.1% to $1.09 billion. Yet, even amid these declines, the overall picture remained positive. Exports of communication equipment ticked up 4.6% to $200 million, and South Korea posted an ICT trade surplus of $8.87 billion for July.
On the import side, South Korea saw a 9.8% year-on-year jump in ICT product imports, totaling $13.32 billion. The increase was driven by higher imports of chips, mobile devices, and computers, even as imports of displays and communication equipment fell by double digits. The interplay of rising exports and imports paints a picture of a sector in flux—dynamic, competitive, and ever-adaptive to global trends.
Back in the financial markets, the mood was buoyant. The surge in semiconductor-related stocks wasn’t limited to Nvidia and AMD. Specific stocks within the ICT sector posted impressive gains: one rose by 31.2% to 1.472 baht, while another climbed 17.1% to 1.09 baht, both on August 13, 2025. The การเงินธนาคาร report also highlighted broader market movements, such as the UOB Point Parade promotion offering a 20% discount and positive shifts in stock market indices, all contributing to a sense of renewed optimism.
What’s driving this confidence? Analysts point to a confluence of factors. The policy decision to allow chip exports to China—albeit with a revenue-sharing condition—was seen as a pragmatic step that could help maintain the competitiveness of U.S. firms while ensuring a slice of the profits returned home. Meanwhile, the relentless demand for AI-powered devices and services has made advanced memory chips like DDR5 and HBM hot commodities, pushing up prices and boosting the fortunes of companies that can meet this demand.
Yet, there are undercurrents of caution. Some voices in the financial sector have noted that the recent rise in stock prices is partly speculative, fueled by hopes that central banks, such as the Bank of Thailand, might lower interest rates further. According to การเงินธนาคาร, there’s an expectation that the Bank of Thailand will cut rates at least once more in 2025, which could encourage banks to lend more and keep the investment engine running. Others warn that the sector’s gains, while impressive, are uneven—certain segments like displays and mobile phones are facing headwinds, and any shift in global demand could quickly change the mood.
Still, for now, the prevailing sentiment is one of cautious optimism. The world’s appetite for semiconductors shows no sign of abating, and the companies that supply these essential components are enjoying a well-deserved moment in the sun. As policies adapt to new realities and technology continues to reshape economies, the ICT sector remains a bellwether for global innovation and growth.
In a world where every device is getting smarter and every market move is scrutinized, the events of August 13, 2025, stand as a reminder that technology—and the policies that govern it—can move markets, shape economies, and capture the imagination of investors worldwide.
