The KOSPI index reached a historic high of 5969.64 on the 24th, fueled by continuous gains in semiconductor stocks, pushing Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix's stock prices beyond significant thresholds.
On the 24th, the KOSPI index surged over 2% to close at 5969.64, marking a new all-time high and bringing it just 30.36 points shy of the 6000 milestone. This rise followed four consecutive trading days of gains, indicating strong momentum in the South Korean stock market. Notably, Samsung Electronics' stock exceeded 200,000 KRW, while SK Hynix surpassed 1,000,000 KRW, both reflecting the robust performance of the semiconductor sector, which continues to be a significant driver for the index.
Despite a relatively weak performance in the New York stock market owing to uncertainty regarding Donald Trump's tariff policies—where the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and NASDAQ experienced declines—the KOSPI rebounded significantly, aided by semiconductor stocks. On that day, the market began at 5853.48 and dipped to 5775.61 before recovering and maintaining an upward trend throughout the session. The overall increase over the four days reached 8.4%, showcasing resilience in the domestic market against external pressures.
Moreover, institutional investors heavily invested in the KOSPI, acquiring shares worth approximately 2.37 trillion KRW, primarily in top stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, while foreign investors sold off around 188.2 billion KRW. While the KOSPI index remains on an upward trajectory, the volatility index also saw a rise, now at 48.12, indicating increasing investor anxiety and uncertainty regarding future market conditions. This careful balancing act between upward trends and emerging concerns signals a critical phase for the South Korean stock market and its investors.
