The domestic stock market marked another milestone. On the 19th, the KOSPI continued its intraday rally to surpass the 4,900 mark for the first time in history, closing at 4,904.66 and bringing the “5,000-point era” within reach.
That day, the KOSPI rose 63.92 points (1.32%) from the previous trading session to close at 4,904.66. The market started weak due to uncertainties surrounding former U.S. President Donald Trump’s potential second term and global semiconductor supply chain issues, but a large-scale shift to net buying by foreign investors drove the index’s rebound.
Foreign investors purchased a net ₩551.3 billion worth of stocks, fueling the market’s upward trend. In contrast, individual and institutional investors sold off ₩23.8 billion and ₩751.1 billion respectively. Notably, amid institutional selling, foreign investors’ “Buy Korea” strategy was distinctly evident.
Hyundai Motor’s strong performance stood out in the market. Its share price closed at ₩480,000, up 16.22% from the previous day, and its market capitalization reached approximately ₩98 trillion, nearing the ₩100 trillion milestone. This surge propelled Hyundai past LG Energy Solution and Samsung Biologics to claim the third spot in KOSPI market capitalization rankings, disrupting the long-standing “Big Four” order of Samsung Electronics–SK Hynix–LG Energy Solution–Samsung Biologics.
Meanwhile, semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix saw modest gains of 0.27% and 1.06%, respectively, contributing to a broadly favorable trend in the sector.
Since the start of the year, the KOSPI has maintained a relentless upward trajectory. It has risen every trading day without a single decline, surging past the 4,700 level in just three sessions, breaking through 4,800 the following day, and then comfortably exceeding 4,900. Year-to-date gains have topped 16%, marking an unprecedented bull market.
Market analysts noted, “The convergence of foreign capital inflows and strong large-cap buying has shattered the psychological barrier of 4,900,” and added, “Depending on global interest rate trends and semiconductor demand recovery, reaching 5,000 points could be only a matter of time.”