KOSPI broke through 7,000 for the first time ever, and market capitalization topped 6,000 trillion won. After crossing 6,000, it touched 7,400 in about two months and closed the session at 7,384.56 points (p).
The Korea Exchange (KRX) said on the 6th that KOSPI's record high was 7,426.60p and that it closed at 7,384.56p (closing price) about two months after first breaking through 6,000p on Feb. 25.
Market capitalization also hit an all-time high of 6,058 trillion won, increasing by more than 1,000 trillion won over the two months after breaking through 6,000p.
Korea's KOSPI has risen 75.2% this year, ranking first among the G20 countries. Türkiye (29%), Japan (18%), and Brazil (16%) followed.
The Korea Exchange (KRX) analyzed that the stock market rally was driven by improved semiconductor earnings on the back of expanded global artificial intelligence (AI) investment and rising demand for high-performance memory. It said the improvement spread to semiconductor upstream and downstream industries—IT, power equipment, construction infrastructure, and materials, parts, and equipment—spurring a broadening rotation across sectors.
Foreign investors, who were net sellers in February–March, turned to "net buying" in April mainly in the electrical and electronics sector and have expanded their purchases this month.
Geopolitical crises, AI demand, and stronger energy security combined to propel key industries such as defense, shipbuilding, nuclear power, and construction, lifting the market.
Heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and elsewhere have increased security demand and expectations for overseas infrastructure reconstruction orders, sustaining gains in defense and construction stocks. Construction and machinery and equipment and other related sectors are also supporting the market's rise as data center expansion accelerates with increased AI infrastructure investment.
The Korea Exchange (KRX) also viewed that the government's institutional reforms to strengthen shareholder value and eradicate unfair transactions are accelerating a revaluation trend for corporations.
A Korea Exchange (KRX) official said, "Despite geopolitical crises, the higher recovery rate compared with major markets means Korea's stock market is being assessed as stable," adding, "While the electrical and electronics sector is leading the rally, spillover effects into upstream and downstream industries and a favorable industrial environment are combining to help various sectors contribute to the gains."