Overview
- The index closed at 4,551.06 for a fourth straight gain after touching an all-time intraday high of 4,611.72.
- Semiconductor leaders and autos drove the advance, with Samsung Electronics up 1.51 percent, SK hynix up 2.2 percent, Hyundai Motor up 13.8 percent, and Kia up 5.55 percent.
- Foreign investors were net buyers by 1.25 trillion won, offsetting selling by institutions and individuals.
- Market breadth remained weak as decliners outnumbered gainers 683 to 199, reinforcing concerns about heavy concentration in large chipmakers.
- Investor optimism continues to draw support from robust semiconductor exports in December, though intraday swings highlighted profit-taking and elevated volatility.