KOSPI Breaks 4,500 Mark on Tech‑Led Rally Fueled by Retail Buying
Updated (2 articles)
Record‑Setting Close Pushes KOSPI Past 4,500 Seoul’s benchmark index finished at 4,525.48, up 67.96 points (1.52%) and crossing the 4,500 threshold for the first time, extending the momentum that had lifted it above 4,400 the day before[1][2].
Technology, Brokerage and Shipbuilding Stocks Lead Gains Semiconductor giants drove the surge, with Samsung Electronics gaining 0.58% and SK Hynix jumping 4.31%; shipbuilders also rallied, Hyundai Heavy Industries rising 7.21% and Korea Aerospace Industries soaring 9.41%[1][2].
Domestic Retail Investors Power Late‑Session Surge Individual investors bought a net 597.55 billion won, reversing an early dip and offsetting foreign net selling of 618.83 billion won and institutional outflows of 68.93 billion won[1][2].
Foreign Investors Flip to Net Selling After Two‑Day Buying Spree After purchasing more than 2.8 trillion won over the prior two sessions, foreigners became net sellers on the day, signaling caution despite the rally[1].
Currency and Bond Markets Show Mixed Reactions The won weakened to 1,445.50 per U.S. dollar, down 1.7 won, while the three‑year Treasury yield rose 1.5 basis points to 2.948% and the five‑year yield slipped 0.5 basis points to 3.244%[1][2].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: KOSPI closes above 4,500 for first time as techs, brokerages and shipbuilders rally: Details sector‑specific gains, heavy trading volume, and foreign investors’ shift after a prior buying spree.
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[2]
Yonhap: KOSPI closes above 4,500 for first time as tech stocks drive gains: Highlights retail investors’ decisive buying, currency weakening, and mixed market breadth despite the record close.
Timeline
Jan 4‑5, 2026 – Foreign investors accumulate over 2.8 trillion won of Korean equities across two sessions, showing strong overseas appetite before a reversal. [1]
Jan 5, 2026 – The KOSPI breaks the 4,400 mark for the first time, extending a rally driven by semiconductor and brokerage gains and setting the stage for a new record. [1][2]
Jan 6, 2026 – The KOSPI closes at a record 4,525.48, surpassing 4,500 for the first time as technology, brokerage and shipbuilding stocks lead a 1.52 % jump. [1][2]
Jan 6, 2026 – Domestic retail investors buy a net 597.55 billion won, offsetting foreign net selling of 618.83 billion won and institutional net selling of 68.93 billion won, highlighting home‑grown demand as the rally’s engine. [1][2]
Jan 6, 2026 – Trading volume reaches 492.84 million shares (25.27 trillion won), yet decliners outnumber advancers 482 to 394, underscoring breadth weakness beneath the headline gain. [1][2]
Jan 6, 2026 – The Korean won weakens to 1,445.50 per U.S. dollar and the three‑year Treasury yield rises to 2.948 %, reflecting mixed currency and bond‑market reactions to the equity surge. [1][2]