[Edaily Reporter Kim Yoon-jeong] The KOSPI set a new all-time high based on its closing price on the 17th. This came as semiconductor stocks led the index higher amid continued risk-on sentiment driven by expectations for a U.S.-Iran peace deal. In particular, SK Hynix led the rally by breaking through the 2.5 million won mark.

According to MP Doctor, the KOSPI index closed at 8,864.24, up 137.64 points (1.58%) from the previous trading day. This figure surpassed the previous all-time closing high of 8,801.49 set on the 2nd. However, the intraday high for the day was 8,872.18, falling short of the intraday high of 8,933.62 recorded on the 2nd.
The KOSPI opened at 8,622.13 and showed weakness early in the session, but extended its gains in the afternoon to close above the 8,860 level.
By investor type, retail investors and institutions were net buyers of 1.0484 trillion won and 633.5 billion won, respectively. In contrast, foreign investors were net sellers of 1.5483 trillion won.
Market observers believe that, despite lingering caution ahead of the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and the simultaneous expiration of U.S. futures and options contracts, risk-on sentiment prevailed due to expectations of a U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement.
Lee Kyung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities, noted, “The domestic stock market continued its upward trend while awaiting the first FOMC meeting under Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Kevin Warsh,” adding, “Despite profit-taking in the U.S. market the previous day, the semiconductor sector managed to rebound after an initial decline in the domestic market, and the shipbuilding sector also showed strength on expectations surrounding the implementation of the U.S.-Korea Special Investment Act and the launch of the Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corporation.”
In particular, #SK Hynix closed regular trading at 2,521,000 won, up 139,000 won (5.84%) from the previous trading day, surpassing the 2.5 million won mark based on the closing price. During the session, the stock soared to 2,523,000 won, setting a new all-time high. Amid continued expectations for expanded shareholder returns, the upward revisions of target prices by securities firms are believed to have stimulated investor sentiment.
Samsung Electronics, the company with the largest market capitalization on the KOSPI, closed at #346,500 won (up 1.02%). Among other top-market-cap stocks, #SK Square (up 6.33%), #LG Energy Solution (up 1.34%), #Samsung Life Insurance (up 3.71%), and #HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (up 1.29%) also closed higher. On the other hand, #Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-0.78%), #Hyundai Motor (-3.44%), #Samsung C&T (-1.41%), and #Kia (-2.29%) all closed lower.
The KOSDAQ market also continued its upward trend. The KOSDAQ index closed at 1,031.96, up 13.28 points (1.30%) from the previous trading day.
In the KOSDAQ market, foreign investors were net buyers, purchasing 92.4 billion won worth of shares. Retail investors and institutions were net sellers, offloading 89.0 billion won and 14.0 billion won worth of shares, respectively.
#Alteogen, the stock with the largest market capitalization on the KOSDAQ, closed at 373,000 won (up 5.82%), while #Ecopro BM, the second-largest, closed at 180,000 won (up 0.28%).
In addition, #EcoPro (0.16%), #Rainbow Robotics (1.46%), #Kolon TissueGene (7.42%), #Wonik IPS (3.59%), #HLB (5.07%), and #Samchundang Pharmaceutical (4.34%) all rose. #Juseong Engineering (-2.87%) posted a decline.