KOSPI Breaks 5,400 for the First Time... Samsung Electronics Surges Past 170,000 Won

KOSPI Breaks Through 5,400 Points on U.S.-Led Semiconductor Rally
Boosted by Previous Day’s 10% Surge in U.S. Micron Shares
Samsung Electronics Becomes Korea’s Only Company with Market Cap Above 1,000 Trillion Won

On the 12th, as the KOSPI opened after surpassing an intraday record, an employee at the dealing room of Hana Bank's Seoul headquarters monitors the stock market and exchange rates. That day, the KOSPI index opened at 5,425.39, up 70.90 points (1.32%) from the previous session. 2026.2.12 Photo by Cho Yongjun

Driven by favorable semiconductor sentiment from the United States, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix climbed again, pushing the KOSPI above 5,400 points for the first time in its history.

KOSPI Breaks Through 5,400 Points on Tailwinds from U.S. Semiconductor Rally

On Feb. 12, the KOSPI opened at 5,425.39, up 70.90 points (1.32%) from the previous trading day. The KOSPI has been rising for four consecutive sessions since Feb. 9. Extending its gains, it was trading at 5,462.93 as of 9:56 a.m., up 108.51 points (2.03%) from the previous session.

The rise in the KOSPI on this day was led by semiconductor companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. In particular, Samsung Electronics surpassed 170,000 won for the first time that day. After opening at 169,500 won, Samsung Electronics was trading at 173,800 won as of 9:36 a.m., up 3.58% from the previous session. Its market capitalization reached about 1,027 trillion won. SK Hynix was also trading at 886,000 won at the same time, up 3.02% from the previous trading day.

The share price gains of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are being interpreted as reflecting the sharp rise in the stock prices of U.S. memory semiconductor companies such as Micron the previous day. On Feb. 11 (Eastern Time), the Nasdaq index fell 0.16%, but the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged more than 2%.

Samsung Electronics Surpasses 170,000 Won, Becoming the Only Domestic Company with a Market Cap of 1,000 Trillion Won

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index has risen nearly 10% over the past four trading days. Nvidia and Broadcom were only slightly higher, but TSMC, Lam Research, Applied Materials, KLA, and Intel each gained around 3%. Micron in particular jumped about 10% after announcing that it has been supplying high bandwidth memory (HBM)4 to Nvidia without any issues.

Micron Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mark Murphy stated at an investor conference that day, "We are already mass-producing HBM4 and began shipping to customers one quarter earlier than our guidance." He added, "We expect the memory semiconductor market to remain tight through and beyond 2026," emphasizing, "Micron has succeeded in raising its HBM market share to a level almost comparable to its DRAM share in the overall market."

Micron's positive assessment of the memory semiconductor market is being interpreted as lifting the share prices of competitors Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix as well. Han Jiyeong, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said, "Micron's sharp stock price surge is acting as a favorable factor for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix," and analyzed, "Given that the earnings momentum of the Korean stock market continues to have a relative advantage over other markets, a small number of names, including semiconductor stocks, will continue to drive intraday gains in the KOSPI."

Although semiconductors are leading the gains in the Korean stock market, some analysts say a rotational rally is emerging, with warmth spreading to other sectors. Since the beginning of this month, the KOSPI's rise has been limited to 4%, and the KOSDAQ has turned negative, while sectors other than semiconductors that had previously led the market-such as retail, banking, hotels, apparel, and telecommunications-have been posting substantial gains.

Researcher Han explained, "After our stock market surged in January led by semiconductors, some price corrections are appearing in February," adding, "During this index pullback process, a clear rotational market is unfolding."