KOSPI Hits All-Time Intraday High on First Trading Day of the New Year

On the morning of the 2nd, when the 2026 Securities and Derivatives Market Opening Ceremony was held, the first KOSPI of the year was displayed on the electronic board of the Korea Exchange in Yeouido, Seoul. From the left in the photo are Kim Youngjae, Chairman of the Listed Companies Association; Kim Haksoo, President of NextTrade; Hwang Sungyeop, Chairman of the Korea Financial Investment Association; Oh Kihyung, Chairman of the KOSPI 5000 Special Committee; Jung Eunbo, Chairman of the Korea Exchange; Lee Eogwon, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission; Kim Sanghun, Chairman of the Value-Up Special Committee; Lee Chanjin, Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service; Lee Donghun, Chairman of the KOSDAQ Association; and Hwang Changsoon, Chairman of the KONEX Association. 2025.01.2 Photo by Jo Yongjun

The KOSPI reached an all-time intraday high on the first trading day of the new year, January 2.

As of 10:47 a.m. on this day, the KOSPI was trading at 4,249.84, up 0.85% from the previous day. This marks the highest level ever recorded.

By investor type, institutions and foreigners are net sellers, offloading 116.5 billion won and 132.6 billion won, respectively, while individuals are net buyers, purchasing 226.4 billion won. In the futures market, institutions are net sellers of 117.9 billion won, while foreigners and individuals are net buyers, purchasing 100.7 billion won and 4.1 billion won, respectively.

By sector, performances are mixed. Medical precision is up 2.6%, pharmaceuticals 2.56%, entertainment and culture 1.84%, electrical and electronics 1.89%, manufacturing 1.31%, machinery and equipment 0.91%, IT services 0.69%, and real estate 0.49%. On the other hand, electric and gas is down 2.52%, insurance -1.82%, construction -1.64%, distribution -1.42%, securities -1.13%, telecommunications -1.2%, and metals -1.14% are showing weakness.

Among large-cap stocks, performances are also diverging. Samsung Electronics is up 3.42%, SK Hynix 1.54%, Hanwha Aerospace 1.59%, SK Square 1.36%, Doosan Enerbility 0.27%, and Celltrion 10.5%. In contrast, LG Energy Solution is down 1.49%, Samsung Biologics -0.47%, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries -0.98%, Kia -1.23%, and KB Financial Group -1.36%.

The KOSDAQ index is also showing strength. On this day, the KOSDAQ index is trading at 939.8, up 1.54% from the previous day. By investor type, institutions and foreigners are net buyers, purchasing 23.2 billion won and 115.1 billion won, respectively, while individuals are net sellers, offloading 140.5 billion won.

Among the leading KOSDAQ stocks, performances are mixed. Alteogen is up 1.33%, Rainbow Robotics 4.14%, HLB 3.35%, Samchundang Pharm 0.86%, Lino Industrial 2.82%, and PharmaResearch 6.82%. Meanwhile, Ecopro BM is down 1.5%, Ecopro -0.44%, ABL Bio -1.5%, LIG Chem Bio -0.98%, Kolon TissueGene -9.55%, and Peptron -1.18%.

Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won/dollar exchange rate is trading at 1,440.4 won, up 0.9 won from the previous day.