The KOSPI climbed more than 1% intraday, closing in on 4,700 points. While large semiconductor stocks that had driven the rally are undergoing a pullback, autos, defense, shipbuilding, and secondary batteries are all rising together. As investment sentiment spreads, the index's gains are widening.
As of 2:30 p.m. on the 13th, the KOSPI was up more than 50 points, moving in the 4,670–4,680 range. The KOSPI, which opened at 4,662 points, topped the 4,680 level early in the session. The KOSPI has risen every day since the start of the new year.
Despite foreigners being net sellers by 500 billion won and individuals also net selling 200 billion won, institutions are net buying 500 billion won, lifting the index. Most of the institutional funds, however, are classified as financial investment, reflecting purchases of exchange-traded funds (ETF).
Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both fell on the day. The pullback is presumed to reflect profit-taking. Even with weakness in large semiconductor names, the index rose because other large caps—autos, shipbuilding, defense, and secondary batteries—are climbing across the board.
Hyundai Motor Group names, which showcased their Robotics prowess at the world's largest IT trade show, "CES 2026," last week, are surging across the board, while secondary battery plays such as LG Energy Solution and POSCO Holdings are also rising. Defense and shipbuilding stocks including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Aerospace are likewise on the upswing.
Lee Jae-won, a researcher at Shinhan Investment & Securities, said, "As the won-dollar exchange rate climbed back to 1,470 won, exchange-rate volatility came into focus, and while the semiconductor sector, which entered a technically overbought zone, is falling, individuals and institutions are net buying together, supporting the index."