KOSPI tops 6,100 for the first time, total market cap surpasses 5,000 trillion won

According to Financial News, the KOSPI index climbed above the 6,100 level intraday for the first time on the 25th, pushing its total market capitalization past 5,000 trillion won.
Data from the Korea Exchange shows that as of 1:30 p.m. that day, the combined market capitalization of companies listed on the Korea Exchange’s main board (KOSPI market) stood at 5,032.3255 trillion won.
This surge was largely driven by the sharp expansion in the market value of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, which rank among the top KOSPI stocks by capitalization. SK hynix’s market cap topped the 700 trillion won mark for the first time on the previous day (the 24th), and as of 1:30 p.m. the combined market cap of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix reached 1,938.8387 trillion won.
The stock market rally that began last year has rapidly inflated the KOSPI’s total market value. At the close of trading, the KOSPI’s market cap first exceeded 2,000 trillion won on January 4, 2021, then crossed 3,000 trillion won on October 15 last year, about four years and nine months later. It went on to surpass 4,000 trillion won on January 16 this year, just three months after that, and has now swelled by more than another 1,000 trillion won in only a month and a half.
Brokerages expect semiconductors to remain the leading sector this year, following their strong performance last year. As earnings forecasts for Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are revised upward, many analysts predict that the KOSPI will continue its upward trend.
This year, consensus forecasts put operating profit for Samsung Electronics as high as 250 trillion won and for SK hynix up to 220 trillion won. On the back of these strong expectations, Samsung Electronics closed at 200,000 won and SK hynix at 1,005,000 won, both setting new record highs.
The KOSPI’s break above 6,000 on the day was also supported by strength in auto stocks alongside semiconductors. Hyundai Motor was trading at 579,000 won, up 10.5% from the previous session, while Kia was at 198,400 won, a gain of 14.02%. Kia rallied on news that cumulative production at Kia Georgia had surpassed 5 million vehicles, and Hyundai Motor surged on growing momentum around its robotics business.

nodelay@fnnews.com Park Ji-yeon Reporter