KOSPI Surges Past 4,030 During Trading Hours; Retail Investors Cheer Samsung’s Milestone

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) soared past the 4,000 mark for the first time in history, reaching as high as 4,030 during intraday trading.
As of 10:30 a.m. on the 27th, the KOSPI was trading at 4,021.73, up 80.14 points (2.03%) from the previous session. The index opened near 3,999 and quickly surpassed the 4,000 threshold after the market opened. It climbed to an intraday high of 4,038.39, setting a new all-time record.
After closing at 3,021.84 on June 20, the KOSPI broke through the 3,000 barrier for the first time in four years and two months since 2021. In less than four months, it has now surpassed the 4,000 mark.
In the KOSPI Market, foreign investors led the rally by net buying 428.8 billion KRW worth of stocks. Meanwhile, individuals and institutions sold 126.6 billion KRW and 205.6 billion KRW, respectively, locking in profits.
By sector, entertainment and culture (4.84%), securities (3.75%), construction (3.44%), and transportation equipment and parts (3.24%) showed strong gains. In contrast, metals (-1.9%), insurance (-0.47%), and food, beverages, and tobacco (-0.23%) declined.
Among the top market cap stocks, all posted gains except LG Energy Solution, which slipped 0.41%. Samsung Electronics rose 2.53%, SK hynix climbed 3.53%, Samsung Biologics gained 1.19%, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries jumped 6.06%.
Last weekend, the U.S. stock market closed higher, buoyed by expectations of a rate cut from the Fed and strong gains in AI-related stocks following Alphabet Inc.'s major cloud investment.
Today, the domestic market is rallying on expectations surrounding political events at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The South Korea–United States summit is scheduled for the 29th, followed by the U.S.-China summit on the 30th.
Ji Young Han, a researcher at KIWOOM Securities, stated, "The U.S.-China summit is directly linked to whether the trade conflict that has caused noise and volatility in the stock market since October can be resolved." Han added, "With Donald Trump expressing a willingness for both countries to make concessions on the 25th, it is important to keep open the possibility of partial compromises within a broader framework."
Han further explained, "Tariff negotiations at the South Korea–United States summit are likely to result in a small deal rather than a big one. During this process, stocks affected by exchange rates and tariffs may experience volatility, but the stock market is expected to be more influenced by the earnings season."
Meanwhile, the Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (KOSDAQ) index was trading at 896.57, up 13.49 points (1.53%) from the previous session.
In the KOSDAQ market, individuals sold 119.5 billion KRW, while foreign investors and institutions bought 109.1 billion KRW and 14.9 billion KRW, respectively.

nodelay@fnnews.com Ji-yeon Park Reporter