This year, a shake-up occurred in the market capitalization rankings of large-cap stocks in the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI). Among the top 20 stocks in the KOSPI, the rankings of 16 stocks, which comprise the remaining 80% excluding the top 20%, have changed.
According to the Korea Exchange on the 7th, as of the 5th, the rankings of 16 stocks among the top 20 in the KOSPI have changed compared to the end of last year, due to fluctuating stock prices.
The stock that rose the most in ranking is Doosan Enerbility, noted as a nuclear power stock. It jumped from 38th place at the end of last year to 11th place this month. Its market capitalization increased by 3.5 times during the same period.
Doosan Enerbility's stock price has risen this year, fueled by the pro-nuclear stance of the Donald Trump administration and expectations of increased nuclear power demand in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). So far this year, the stock price has surged by 252%.
The second largest increase in ranking was seen by Hanwha Aerospace, a leader in the defense industry, which rose 23 spots from 28th to 5th. The Russia-Ukraine war and Europe's increased defense spending have contributed positively.
Shipbuilding stocks also made significant gains. With the shipbuilding boom and expectations of U.S. collaboration, Hanwha Ocean climbed from 34th at the end of last year to 14th this month, while HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering rose from 25th to 16th.
As a result, the rankings of automobile stocks were pushed down by the surge in market capitalizations of shipbuilding, defense, and nuclear power stocks collectively known as 'Jobangwon.' Hyundai Motor fell from 5th to 8th, and Kia dropped from 7th to 9th.
Additionally, the rankings of financial stocks such as Shinhan Financial Group and KB Financial also fell. The release of disappointing sell-offs following the government's tax reform proposal is interpreted as a factor contributing to the decline in financial stock rankings.
Among the top stocks by market capitalization, only Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, LG Energy Solution, and Samsung Biologics maintained their rankings from the end of last year.
In the KOSDAQ market, the fluctuation in market capitalization rankings was even more pronounced. Among the top 20 stocks, the rankings of 17 stocks, excluding Alteogen, ECOPRO BM, and Ecopro, changed.
ABL Bio, which announced achievements in new drug development this year, skyrocketed from 30th to 6th this month, while Peptron, related to obesity treatment, rose from 15th to 3rd, a climb of 12 spots.
A source in the securities industry noted, 'Sectors sensitive to policies, themes, and global issues have taken the lead over traditional stocks (automobile and finance).' They also said, 'There is a strong nature of a short-term spike, so there is a need to prepare for a correction phase.'