South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index hit an all-time high on Monday, propelled by a surge in shares of major chip manufacturers. Investors demonstrated strong buying interest in companies linked to artificial intelligence, mirroring the upward trend observed on Wall Street.
The KOSPI saw a significant increase of 3.6%, reaching a record level of 8,131.15 points and extending its robust upward momentum this year. The most notable gains were registered by memory market leaders, Samsung Electronics (KS:005930) and SK Hynix (KS:000660).
Since the beginning of 2026, the benchmark index has climbed by over 90%.
On Monday, SK Hynix shares appreciated by more than 7%, while Samsung Electronics stock added approximately 3%.
Investor enthusiasm for semiconductor stocks remained elevated, driven by expectations of sustained demand for high-bandwidth memory chips essential for AI servers and accelerators. Recent positive financial disclosures from Nvidia, coupled with optimistic projections regarding worldwide investments in AI infrastructure, further bolstered sentiment across the Asian technology stock sector.
This rally occurred against a backdrop of continually strong growth in South Korea’s semiconductor exports.
Overall risk appetite was also influenced by a cautious optimism regarding de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, along with prospects for advancements in US-Iran negotiations. These factors contributed to global market stabilization and a reduction in oil prices.
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