The KOSPI index, which had fluctuated around the 8,000-point threshold throughout the week, finally broke through this milestone during trading on May 15. This achievement comes just seven trading days after the index surpassed 7,000 points.
According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:15 a.m., the KOSPI was up 29.41 points (0.37%) at 8,010.82. The index opened lower at 7,951.75, down 29.66 points (0.37%) from the previous trading day, but quickly turned upward to exceed the 8,000-point mark.
Market attention was focused on the potential for the KOSPI to break 8,000, buoyed by strong performance in U.S. markets. The previous night, the New York Stock Exchange saw a rally led by technology stocks, with all three major indices closing higher.
The sentiment among investors was further stimulated by the reaffirmation of cooperation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a summit held in Beijing.
On the New York Stock Exchange, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 50,063.46, up 0.75%. This marks the first time the Dow has surpassed the 50,000 mark since February 11.
The S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also rose, gaining 0.77% and 0.88%, respectively, both reaching new all-time highs.
In the Korean stock market, individual investors drove the index's rise with a net purchase of 792.6 billion won. In contrast, foreign and institutional investors sold off shares, with net sales of 748.5 billion won and 53.5 billion won, respectively.
Among large-cap stocks, the performance was mixed. Samsung Electronics (-0.17%), Doosan Enerbility (-0.34%), and Samsung C&T (-1.36%) saw declines, while SK Hynix (0.81%), SK Square (0.60%), Hyundai Motor (3.79%), LG Energy Solution (3.51%), and Samsung Electro-Mechanics (8.79%) posted gains.
The KOSDAQ index started the day with gains but later turned downward. At the same time, the KOSDAQ was down 1.11 points (0.09%) at 1,189.98, having opened at 1,197.23, up 6.14 points (0.52%).
In the KOSDAQ market, foreign investors were net buyers of 57.5 billion won, while individuals and institutions sold off shares, with net sales of 33 billion won and 1.9 billion won, respectively.
Among large-cap KOSDAQ stocks, performance varied. Alteogen (0.65%), Rainbow Robotics (4.88%), Juseong Engineering (0.18%), and Rigakem Bio (0.82%) saw increases, while Ecopro BM (-1.20%), Ecopro (-1.05%), Kolon TissueGene (-2.27%), Samchundang Pharmaceutical (-4.44%), Lino Industry (-4.73%), and HLB (-1.69%) experienced declines.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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