The capital market is writing an unprecedented history in real time. On the 12th, the KOSPI index fearlessly widened its early gains and, for the first time ever in the morning, crossed the 5,500 mark.

With the semiconductor duo of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix leading the index, "buy without asking" orders from foreigners and institutions are pouring in, pushing the index ceiling vertically higher. The securities industry said this is an "ultra-wide move with a pace exceeding expectations," expressing awe.

A market board in the Hana Bank dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul displays the KOSPI and other indicators on the 12th. The KOSPI opens at 5,425.39, up 70.90p (1.32%) from the previous trading day, and the KOSDAQ opens at 1,122.55, up 7.68p (0.69%). /Courtesy of News1

As of 10:59 a.m. that day, the KOSPI index was up 157.98 points (2.95%) from the previous day at 5,512.47. The KOSPI started the session that morning at 5,425.39, up 70.90 points (1.32%) from the day before. It was the first time the KOSPI had surpassed the 5,400 mark.

The main board is being led by foreigners and institutions. Foreigners and institutions are net buyers of 1.2487 trillion won and 806.0 billion won, respectively. Individuals, who were net buyers early in the session, have turned to net sellers, dumping 2.0680 trillion won.

The session is being led by large-cap semiconductor stocks. Notably, Samsung Electronics, which hit "1.7 million won" for the first time ever, is up more than 6%, with "1.8 million won" now in sight. SK hynix is also up more than 3%. In addition, LG Energy Solution, SK Square and KB Financial are showing strength.

It appears to reflect a surge in Micron and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index in the U.S. market the previous day. Micron dismissed concerns about high bandwidth memory (HBM) supply and jumped more than 9%. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, composed of artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor-related stocks, rose 2.28%.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was up 2.39 points (0.21%) from the previous day at 1,117.26. The KOSDAQ started the day up 0.69% (7.68 points) from the day before at 1,122.55, turned lower, then swung back to gains.

The KOSDAQ market is being led by individuals. While individuals are net buyers of 274.7 billion won, foreigners are net sellers of 182.1 billion won and institutions 56.5 billion won.

Top market-cap stocks on the KOSDAQ are mixed. EcoPro, EcoPro BM, Rainbow Robotics, Sam Chun Dang Pharm, Kolon TissueGene and LEENO Industrial are rising, while Alteogen, ABL Bio, HLB and LigaChem Biosciences are falling.

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