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 January 2, the first trading day of the new year.

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 in its history.

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

By sector, performance is 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%. Conversely, the electric and gas sector is down 2.52%, insurance -1.82%, construction -1.64%, retail -1.42%, securities -1.13%, telecommunications -1.2%, and metals -1.14%.

Among large-cap stocks, performances are also mixed. 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%. On the other hand, 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 foreign investors are net buyers of 23.2 billion won and 115.1 billion won respectively, while individual investors are net sellers, offloading 140.5 billion won.

Among large-cap KOSDAQ stocks, performances are mixed. Alteogen is up 1.33%, Rainbow Robotics 4.14%, HLB 3.35%, Samchundang Pharm 0.86%, Leeno Industrial 2.82%, and PharmaResearch 6.82%. Conversely, Ecopro BM is down 1.5%, Ecopro -0.44%, ABL Bio -1.5%, Legochem 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.