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South Korean Stock Market Hits Historic $4.08 Trillion Milestone

The combined market capitalization of South Korean listed firms exceeded 6,000 trillion won ($4.08 trillion) for the first time on Monday. The milestone was driven by strong performance in the semiconductor sector, fueled by global AI demand. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both posted record first-quarter earnings earlier this month. The KOSPI index surged over 28% since April and traded above 6,600 points for the first time.

Key Points: S. Korean Market Cap Surpasses $4.08 Trillion

  • Market cap surpasses 6,000 trillion won ($4.08 trillion) for first time
  • Driven by semiconductor sector gains amid AI boom
  • Samsung Electronics and SK hynix posted record Q1 earnings
  • KOSPI up 28% since April 1, set new record above 6,600 points
2 min read

Market cap of S. Korean-listed firms surpasses $4.08 trillion for 1st time

South Korean stock market cap exceeds 6,000 trillion won for first time, driven by semiconductor giants like Samsung and SK hynix amid AI boom.

"Improving business conditions and the earnings forecast of major companies... is now being reflected in the KOSPI. - Lee Kyoung-min, Daishin Securities"

Seoul, April 27

The total market capitalisation of companies listed on the local stock market surpassed 6,000 trillion won for the first time on Monday, boosted by anticipation for the semiconductor sector, industry data showed.

The combined market capitalisation of companies listed on the country's three stock bourses stood at 6,047.9 trillion won as of early Monday morning, according to the data from the Korea Exchange (KRX), South Korea's main bourse operator, reports Yonhap news agency.

The three markets are the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), the secondary KOSDAQ and the KONEX market for small and medium-sized enterprises.

South Korea's major stock gauges were on a bullish run since the start of April amid anticipation for the country's top chipmaking giants. The KOSPI advanced over 28 percent from April 1 to Friday, while the smaller KOSDAQ rose 14.4 percent during the same period, according to data from Yonhap Infomax, the financial arm of Yonhap News Agency.

Early this month, the country's major semiconductor firms -- Samsung Electronics and SK hynix -- each posted record first-quarter earnings, boosted by high demand for semiconductors amid a global boom in artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile, Seoul stocks were trading up sharply late on Monday morning, despite uncertainties surrounding U.S.-Iran peace talks, as investors turn their focus to upcoming earnings releases from the country's major conglomerates.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was trading 139.64 points, or 2.16 percent, higher at 6,615.27 as of 11:20 a.m.

After opening sharply up, the index was on pace to set a new record, trading above the 6,600-point mark for the first time.

On Friday, U.S. stocks ended mixed, as investors sat on the sidelines as they pinned hopes on a breakthrough in peace talks between the United States and Iran.

Such hopes, however, faded, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he canceled a planned trip by Washington envoys to Pakistan for scheduled peace talks with Iran.

"But, improving business conditions and the earnings forecast of major companies, which once had been clouded by uncertainties by the Middle East, is now being reflected in the KOSPI," said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst from Daishin Securities.

In Seoul, most market top-caps were trading higher.

Chip giant Samsung Electronics added 2.05 percent, while its rival SK hynix jumped 6.38 percent.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Samsung and SK hynix posting record earnings is no surprise. We Indians depend so much on their chips for our phones and electronics! But honestly, all this market rally makes me a bit nervous—it feels like a bubble waiting to burst. Also, the geopolitical risks with the US-Iran tension are still there. Hope the Korean investors are being cautious.
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Vikram M
This is what happens when a country invests heavily in R&D and doesn't get distracted by political circus. South Korea's discipline in tech is commendable. Their chip industry is the backbone. For India, we need to look beyond IT services and build our own semiconductor ecosystem. The PLI scheme is a start, but we need to scale up fast. Cheers to Korean success! 🇮🇳👏
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Michael C
Interesting to see the global AI boom benefiting South Korea so hugely. Their semiconductor stocks are riding the wave. But I worry about the concentration risk—too much reliance on Samsung and SK hynix. If the AI cycle slows down, they could take a big hit. Bright but fragile growth, in my opinion.
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Nisha Z
South Korea is setting a benchmark not just for Asia but for the world! Their dedication to tech is inspiring. The fact that their market crossed 6,000 trillion won even with geopolitical tensions shows the strength of their fundamentals. But we in India can learn: we need more patience and consistent policies for long-term growth. Arre, hum bhi kar sakte hain! 🇮🇳🚀
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Rachel V
As an investor, this is fascinating

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