Seoul’s KOSPI Surpasses 4,800, Extends 11‑Day Rally on Chip Gains
Updated (2 articles)
Record‑breaking opening fuels continued upward trend The Korea Composite Stock Price Index opened at 4,820.66 and quickly settled at 4,807.36, marking the first time it traded above the 4,800‑point level. This move continued an 11‑day streak of daily fresh highs that began at the start of 2026, underscoring persistent investor optimism in the market [1].
U.S. market strength and TSMC earnings lift Korean chips Wall Street closed higher, with the Dow up 0.6 % and the Nasdaq up 0.25 %, after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s earnings beat expectations. The positive U.S. reaction boosted sentiment toward semiconductor makers, contributing to the KOSPI’s advance [1].
Mixed performance among domestic giants reflects sector nuances Samsung Electronics rose 0.9 % while SK Hynix slipped 0.13 %, showing divergent reactions within the chip segment. Hyundai Motor gained 0.36 % but its parts affiliate Hyundai Mobis fell 1.78 %, indicating varied investor views on automotive supply chains [1].
AI competition outcome triggers declines for Naver and NCSOFT Both firms dropped, with Naver down 0.81 % and NCSOFT down 2.97 %, after their subsidiaries were eliminated from a government‑led AI foundation model developer selection [1].
Won depreciation adds a currency dimension to market dynamics The Korean won weakened to approximately 1,471.9 per U.S. dollar, a 2.2‑won decline from the previous session, potentially influencing export‑oriented stocks [1].
Timeline
Jan 8, 2026 – Seoul’s market opens higher, with the KOSPI climbing 5.27 points to 4,556.33 in the first 15 minutes, extending a rally that set an all‑time high of 4,551.06 the day before. Defense and shipbuilding stocks drive the advance, as Hanwha Aerospace soars 8.12 % and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries jumps 5.39 % on expectations of strong fourth‑quarter earnings and order flow. Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Steel add modest gains, while Samsung Electronics and Korean Air slip, underscoring uneven participation across headline names. The Korean won weakens to 1,449.10 per dollar, reflecting a modest currency shift alongside equity inflows. The move shows that domestic sector catalysts can outweigh mixed U.S. market signals, keeping investor appetite robust early in the year’s record‑setting run[2].
Jan 16, 2026 – The KOSPI opens above the 4,800‑point threshold for the first time, trading at 4,807.36 and marking the 11th consecutive session of gains since the start of 2026. The surge follows overnight Wall Street gains spurred by TSMC’s earnings, which lift chip‑related stocks such as Samsung Electronics (up 0.9 %). Naver and NCSOFT tumble 0.81 % and 2.97 % respectively after their subsidiaries are cut from a government‑led AI foundation‑model competition, highlighting policy‑driven volatility in the tech sector. The won softens further to about 1,471.9 per dollar, indicating continued pressure on the currency amid the equity rally. This milestone underscores sustained investor optimism and the broader impact of semiconductor and AI policy developments on South Korea’s market momentum[1].