KOSPI Surges 2.5% as Foreign and Institutional Buying Lifts Seoul Market Above 3,940
Tech and construction stocks lead rally; KRW strengthens as risk appetite improves
Market Highlights
KOSPI jumps 2.5% to 3,941.59 on strong foreign and institutional inflows
KOSDAQ gains 1.27% as secondary battery and tech stocks rebound
Foreign + institutions net buy over ₩2 trillion in main board
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix fuel tech rally
KRW firms to 1,436.7 per USD amid reduced geopolitical risk
Oil weakens while U.S. yields rise; global equities stable
The Korean equity market rebounded sharply on Thursday, driven by aggressive institutional and foreign net buying as investor sentiment improved following confirmation of an upcoming U.S.–China summit. Major large-cap technology and construction stocks powered the rally, pushing the KOSPI above 3,940 for the first time this week.
The benchmark KOSPI closed at 3,941.59, up 2.50%, while the KOSDAQ advanced 1.27% to 883.08. Trading value reached ₩17.6 trillion on the KOSPI and ₩8.8 trillion on the KOSDAQ.
Investor Flows
Foreign and institutional investors heavily accumulated shares on the main board:
Investor Type (KOSPI) Net Flow
Foreigners +₩585 billion
Institutions +₩1.405 trillion
Individuals –₩2.0 trillion
Foreign inflows were concentrated in electronics (+₩788.2 billion) and chemicals (+₩103.4 billion).
Program trading contributed to the rally with ₩1,638 billion in arbitrage and ₩4,125 billion in non-arbitrage trades.
Sector Performance
Large-cap cyclical and growth sectors led the move:
KOSPI Sector Gainers Change
Construction +6.4%
Electronics +4.7%
Machinery & Equipment +3.4%
Brokerage +3.2%
KOSDAQ Sector Gainers Change
Finance +5.2%
Electronics +3.2%
Chemicals +2.9%
Ticker Highlights (KRX)
Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) +4% — led index rally with strong foreign inflows
SK Hynix (KRX:000660) +3.8% — semiconductor sentiment improves
Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380) +2.9% — auto stocks follow tech rebound
POSCO Holdings (KRX:005490) +3.5% — steel supported by China stimulus hopes
Hyundai Engineering & Construction (KRX:000720) +6.8% — infrastructure theme strength
Currency & Commodities
The Korean won strengthened 0.7 won to 1,436.7 per dollar, supported by foreign equity inflows.
Asset Latest Change
KRW/USD 1,436.7 +0.7 (won up)
WTI Crude $61.41 –0.61%
Brent Crude $65.99 +3.40%
Korea 3Y Bond Yield 2.594% –1.5bp
U.S. 10Y Yield 4.002% +5.5bp
Global Markets
Index Close Change
Dow Jones 46,735 +0.3%
Nasdaq 22,942 +0.9%
DAX (Germany) 24,208 +0.2%
Nikkei (Japan) 49,300 +1.4%
Taiwan TAIEX 26,149 +0.7%
Market Outlook
Analysts expect the KOSPI to maintain a bullish bias in the near term, supported by foreign inflows and improving sentiment toward technology stocks. However, markets remain cautious ahead of upcoming U.S. GDP data and Federal Reserve comments.
“If semiconductor momentum continues and the won remains stable, the KOSPI could challenge the 4,000 level in the short term,” said a strategist at a Seoul brokerage.
For deeper coverage on South Korea markets, visit our Markets section.
By Korea Economy News Market Desk | Seoul
Sources: KRX, Yonhap Infoma
