On the 9th, the KOSPI once again broke its record high. Since the new year, it has set a record high for six consecutive trading days on a closing basis. The KOSPI index opened slightly lower on foreign selling, but reversed higher on intraday retail buying and ultimately set another record high.
Samsung Electronics ended slightly higher, but SK hynix fell for the first time in 11 trading days as profit-taking emerged. On the KOSPI, shipbuilding, defense, and robotics stocks showed clear gains.
The KOSPI index finished at 4,586.32, up 33.95 points (0.75%) from the previous trading day. Starting the day at 4,530.03, the index extended early losses to the 4,500 level, but rebounded to the 4,590 level as retail buying flowed in. After breaking above 4,590, it came close to the 4,600 level.
In the main board, retail buying stood out. Individuals and institutions were net buyers of 130.7 billion won and 1.1959 trillion won, respectively, with financial investment—largely retail exchange-traded fund (ETF) money—accounting for nearly 1.15 trillion won of the institutional total. Foreign investors alone had a net selling advantage of 1.5947 trillion won. Despite heavy net selling by foreigners, the index held the 4,500 level relatively firmly.
Samsung Electronics ended slightly higher, but SK hynix fell more than 1%, losing the 750,000 won level. It is seen as profit-taking after a sustained semiconductor rally since the new year. Lim Jeong-eun, an analyst at KB Securities, said, "Of the 1.6 trillion won in foreign funds that left the KOSPI today, 1.5 trillion won was in the electrical and electronics sector."
Shipbuilding and defense stocks surged on the KOSPI. The move followed President Donald Trump's announcement on the 7th (local time) that U.S. defense spending should be increased by more than 50%. Hanwha Aerospace (11.38%), Korea Aerospace Industries (4.9%), Hanwha Systems (27.52%), Hanwha Ocean (3.62%), Samsung Heavy Industries (8.73%), and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (5.3%) were all strong.
Hyundai Motor Group stocks were strong as the "physical AI" momentum came into focus. Led by Hyundai Motor (7.49%), Hyundai Mobis (2.17%), Hyundai AutoEver (19.37%), and Hyundai GLOVIS (1.34%) all closed higher. Earlier, at CES 2026, Hyundai Motor Group unveiled the Humanoid Robot "Atlas." The robot won CES 2026's "Best Robot" award from tech outlet CNET.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ index closed at 947.92, up 3.86 points (0.41%) from the previous trading day. It opened at 944.74 and slid to the 935 level intraday, but after breaking above 945 on retail buying, it moved within the 945–947 range. It was the first time in four trading days that the KOSDAQ closed higher.
On the KOSDAQ, retail and institutional buying lifted the index. Individuals and institutions bought a net 104.7 billion won and 75.9 billion won, respectively. Foreign investors were net sellers of 170.6 billion won.
On the KOSDAQ, biotech stocks were strong, including Alteogen, Peptron (4.72%), and Kolon TissueGene (1.1%). Investor sentiment improved ahead of the global healthcare investor event, the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, held from the 12th (local time) to the 15th.