The KOSPI index has surpassed the 4,600 level, drawing even closer to "5,000 points." At CES 2026, the world's largest information technology (IT) trade show being held in Las Vegas, the United States, global IT corporations unveiled a raft of new technologies centered on physical artificial intelligence (AI), while analysis that U.S. rate cuts could be stronger than expected boosted risk-asset appetite.
On the 7th, the KOSPI opened at 4,566.34, up 40.86 points (0.90%) from the previous trading day, with gains widening right after the open. As the rise accelerated immediately after the open, it vaulted past 4,600 points and 4,610 points in one go.
With foreigners net buying Korean stocks in large volume, the index is surging. Foreign investors had a net purchase of about 400 billion won on this morning.
IT stocks led by semiconductors are also strong on the day. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are up 3% to 4%, and among KOSPI 200 sectors, information technology and electrical and electronics are showing sharp gains.
Among large-cap stocks by market capitalization, Hyundai Motor Group is also standing out. Hyundai Motor is jumping around 7%, and Hyundai AutoEver and Hyundai Mobis are also sharply higher.
U.S. stocks closed higher across the board the previous day. On the "CES effect," IT shares were strong. Hwang Sanhae, a researcher at LS Securities, said, "From electronic equipment to robots and healthcare equipment, related stocks rallied," adding, "As the AI investment cycle expands around physical AI, the expectation is building that its influence on the real economy will grow."
In particular, investors focused on speeches by global tech heavyweights including Jensen Huang, chief executive officer (CEO) of Nvidia. Showcasing next-generation AI products, they repeatedly stressed that "we must respond to the explosive increase in AI demand," noting that AI infrastructure is expanding rapidly.
Meanwhile, remarks late the previous night by Steven Myron, a Federal Reserve (Fed) governor and a former economic adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, that more than a 1-percentage-point, aggressive benchmark rate cut is needed this year are also spurring global investors. The view is gaining traction that this could create a liquidity environment favorable to the stock market.
By contrast, investor interest in the KOSDAQ market appears somewhat muted. The KOSDAQ index began trading on the day at 957.74, up 1.77 points (0.19%), and a firm-but-flat tone has continued through the morning.