Overview
- The benchmark index opened at 4,820.66, traded as high as roughly 4,852, and was up about 1 percent late morning, marking an 11-session winning streak and fresh intraday records.
- Semiconductor leaders and exporters continued to lead gains, with Samsung Electronics up 3.41 percent and SK hynix up 0.67 percent, alongside strength in autos, airlines and financials and pockets of weakness in bio and shipbuilding.
- Individuals turned net buyers on Friday morning as foreign and institutional investors sold, after Thursday’s session saw institutions and foreigners buy heavily while individuals dumped a net 1.8 trillion won.
- Korea’s listed market value has climbed about 76 percent year-on-year to roughly 3,972 trillion won, with outsized contributions from Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and Hyundai Motor.
- Policymakers flagged risks from market polarization and currency volatility, with the won swinging after a brief rebound on U.S. remarks, as global tech sentiment improved following TSMC results and a U.S. equity uptick.