As the KOSPI has continued a boom, soaring more than 30% since the start of the year, the number of listed companies with a market capitalization of at least 1 trillion won has increased by more than 40 in about a month.
According to the Korea Exchange (KRX) and others on the 18th, as of the closing price on the 13th, the last trading day before the Lunar New Year holiday, there were a total of 365 listed companies, including preferred shares, with a market capitalization of at least 1 trillion won. Compared with 323 at the end of last year, that is an increase of 42, or 13.0%.
By market, in the main board (KOSPI), the number of "1 trillion club" corporations rose from 238 to 249, while on KOSDAQ it jumped from 85 to 116.
The number of stocks with a market capitalization of at least 10 trillion won also expanded from 62 to 74. Of these, 68 were KOSPI listings, and six KOSDAQ corporations were included. As the KOSDAQ index achieved "Cheonsdaq" amid expectations for the government's venture-activation policies, Rainbow Robotics (about 13 trillion won) and Sam Chun Dang Pharm (12.55 trillion won) newly joined the 10 trillion club.
Samsung Electronics ranked No. 1 in KOSPI market capitalization, reaching 1,073 trillion won and surpassing the "1,000 trillion won" threshold. It was followed by SK hynix (641 trillion won), Samsung Electronics preferred (104 trillion won), Hyundai Motor (102 trillion won), LG Energy Solution (92 trillion won), and Samsung Biologics (79 trillion won).
On the other hand, some corporations narrowly missed the 1 trillion won threshold. DearU (992 billion won) and CJ CGV (987 billion won) are on the verge of joining the "1 trillion club."
Behind the rapid increase in top-tier market-cap corporations in a short period is the steep rise in KOSPI and KOSDAQ. The KOSPI closed at 5,507.01 on the 13th, up 30.68% from 4,214.17 at the end of last year. Over the same period, KOSDAQ rose 19.52%.
These are the No. 1 and No. 3 gains, respectively, among major global stock markets. No. 2 was Türkiye (25.92%), followed by No. 4 Brazil (16.53%) and No. 5 Taiwan (16.03%).