KOSPI Breaks Through 5,600... Samsung Electronics Jumps 5% to Hit the 190,000 Won Mark

First Trading Day After the Lunar New Year Holiday

KOSPI Gains More Than 2% in Early Trading

KOSDAQ Also Rises More Than 1%

After the Lunar New Year holiday, the KOSPI surged more than 2% in early trading and, for the first time in history, broke through the 5,600 level. The KOSDAQ also opened higher and is maintaining gains of more than 1%.

As of 9:30 a.m. on the 19th, the KOSPI stood at 5,653.12, up 146.10 points (2.65%) from the previous trading day. The index started at 5,642.09, up 135 points (2.45%), and has continued its upward trend. Individual investors bought 150.2 billion won, and institutions purchased 87.6 billion won. Foreign investors are net sellers of 278.1 billion won.

By sector, securities (12.02%) are soaring and leading the rally. Electricity and gas (4.44%), construction (3.48%), transportation equipment and components (3.36%), transportation and storage (3.32%), electrical and electronics (3.28%), manufacturing (2.92%), and paper and lumber (2.94%) are also strong. In contrast, telecommunications (-1.67%) and food, beverages, and tobacco (-0.67%) are weak.

On the 19th, as the KOSPI topped 5,600 intraday for the first time in history, an employee in the dealing room at Hana Bank's head office in Seoul is monitoring the stock market and exchange rates. As of 9:02 a.m., the KOSPI was up 150.70 points (2.74%) from the previous close, continuing its rally. By Cho Yongjun.

Most of the top market-cap stocks are also rising. Hanwha Ocean (9.17%) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (8.10%) are strong, while Korea Electric Power Corporation (4.85%), Samsung Electronics (4.36%), Samsung Electronics (preferred) (3.92%), Hanwha Aerospace (3.17%), Samsung C&T Corporation (2.83%), Doosan Enerbility (2.90%), Celltrion (2.42%), Kia (2.50%), Samsung Life Insurance (2.19%), SK Square (2.15%), and SK Hynix (1.82%) are also gaining. In particular, Samsung Electronics jumped as much as 5.35% in early trading to reach 190,900 won, briefly becoming the so-called "190,000 won Samsung Electronics." On the other hand, Shinhan Financial Group (-0.88%) and KB Financial Group (-0.36%) are weak.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 1,120.21, up 14.13 points (1.28%) from the previous trading day. Foreign investors are net buyers of 65.2 billion won, and institutions are net buyers of 28.7 billion won, while individuals are net sellers of 80.0 billion won.

Among the top KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, Caregen (8.53%), Peptron (8.20%), Samchundang Pharm (7.66%), ISC (5.98%), Classys (5.05%), Alteogen (4.58%), and HPSP (3.99%) are strong. Ecopro BM (1.99%), Voronoi (1.88%), Rainbow Robotics (1.79%), and HLB (1.37%) are also on the rise. In contrast, Richem Bio (-2.55%) and Kolon TissueGene (-0.45%) are weak.

On this day, Lee Sunghoon, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said, "During the holiday period, there were no external events that could undermine the direction of the domestic stock market," adding, "Even from a mid-term perspective, the upward momentum of the domestic stock market remains intact. Based on earnings improvement led by semiconductors, Korea's 12?month forward price-to-earnings ratio (PER) is currently 8.8 times, below the 10-year historical average of 10 times, and its valuation appeal is the strongest compared with major countries."

He continued, "Considering that the won-dollar exchange rate is also staying at a stable level in the 1,440 won range against the dollar, additional inflows of foreign funds into the domestic stock market, where overwhelming earnings prospects are expected compared with major markets, are likely to continue," and added, "The combination of earnings and valuation (share prices relative to earnings), domestic and external liquidity conditions, and government policy is expected to serve as a key driver for further gains in the KOSPI."