KOSPI Closes Strong on Foreign Buying Spree, Settles Above 4,550

On the 7th, as the KOSPI index surpassed 4600, the stock prices of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix continued to hit record highs. The current status of the domestic stock market along with the stock prices of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are displayed at the Korea Exchange in Yeouido, Seoul. 2026.1.7 Photo by Kang Jinhyung

The KOSPI closed higher, buoyed by strong net buying from foreign investors. During the session, it surpassed the 4,600 mark, reaching an all-time high.

On January 7, the KOSPI ended trading at 4,551.06, up 25.58 points (0.57%) from the previous day. The provisional trading volume for the day was 548.38 million shares, with a transaction value of 2.8834 trillion won.

During intraday trading, the index reached a record high of 4,611.72. The strong net purchases by foreign investors were particularly significant. By investor type, foreigners made net purchases of 1.2516 trillion won, while institutions and individuals recorded net sales of 939.5 billion won and 293.8 billion won, respectively. In the futures market, institutions and individuals made net purchases of 646 billion won and 107.8 billion won, respectively, while foreigners recorded net sales of 737.2 billion won. In program trading, there was a net sale of 225 billion won in arbitrage trading and a net purchase of 885.4 billion won in non-arbitrage trading.

Performance varied by sector. The transportation and storage sector rose by 4.3%, transportation equipment by 3.97%, distribution by 1.28%, manufacturing by 1.2%, electrical and electronics by 1.15%, pharmaceuticals by 0.95%, metals by 0.95%, and textiles and apparel by 0.82%. In contrast, the medical precision sector fell by 2.78%, securities by 2.66%, insurance by 1.96%, food, beverage & tobacco by 1.93%, chemicals by 1.88%, IT services by 1.83%, entertainment & culture by 1.69%, and electricity & gas by 1.67%.

Among large-cap stocks, performances were mixed. Samsung Electronics rose by 1.51%, SK Hynix by 2.2%, Samsung Biologics by 2.67%, Hyundai Motor by 13.8%, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries by 1.27%, Kia by 5.55%, and Samsung C&T by 1.92%. On the other hand, LG Energy Solution fell by 1.98%, SK Square by 0.58%, Doosan Enerbility by 2.21%, Hanwha Aerospace by 1.17%, and Celltrion by 0.94%.

The number of advancing stocks for the day was 200, while 686 stocks declined and 43 remained unchanged. Two stocks hit the upper price limit.

Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ index closed lower. The KOSDAQ ended at 947.39, down 8.58 points (0.9%) from the previous day. By investor type, institutions and foreigners recorded net sales of 101.5 billion won and 192.6 billion won, respectively, while individuals made net purchases of 312.8 billion won.

Among large-cap KOSDAQ stocks, performances were mixed. Alteogen fell by 0.63%, EcoPro BM by 1.08%, EcoPro by 0.75%, HLB by 0.55%, Peptron by 2.95%, and Lino Industrial by 3.17%. On the other hand, ABL Bio rose by 4.73%, Rainbow Robotics by 1.3%, Ligachem Bio by 2.05%, Samchundang Pharm by 3.24%, and Kolon TissueGene by 2.02%.

Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won/dollar exchange rate is trading at 1,447.0 won, down 0.1 won from the previous day.