[Edaily Reporter Kim Kyung-eun] The KOSPI index rose more than 2% in early trading, breaking through the 9,300 mark for the first time in history.

According to MP Doctor on the 19th, as of 9:05 a.m. that day, the KOSPI was trading at 9,321.19, up 257.35 points (2.845%) from the previous trading day.

The index opened at 9,288.89, up 225.05 points (2.48%) from the previous close, and immediately surpassed the 9,200 mark. It then successively broke through the 9,300 mark and settled in the 9,000 range.

By sector, retail, electrical and electronics, insurance, and manufacturing are showing strength. In contrast, electricity and gas, entertainment and culture, and securities are weak.

The index’s upward trend is being led by large-cap semiconductor stocks. #Samsung Electronics is trading at 368,500 won, up 6,000 won (1.66%) from the previous trading day. In pre-market trading, it surged to 380,000 won, setting a new all-time high.

#SK Hynix is trading at 2,824,000 won, up 39,000 won (5.18%). It rose as high as 2,850,000 won early in the session, also setting a new all-time high.

SK Square, SK Hynix’s largest shareholder, is trading at 1,819,000 won, up 19,000 won (7.00%) from the previous close, showing an even steeper rise.

This is interpreted as a result of the continued positive outlook for the semiconductor industry, coupled with the rise in tech stocks on the New York Stock Exchange overnight, which boosted investor sentiment.

Among other top-market-cap stocks, #Samsung Electro-Mechanics (6.14%), #Hyundai Motor (0.17%), #Samsung Life Insurance (4.90%), #LG Energy Solution (3.25%), and #Samsung C&T (11.84%) are also on the rise. Conversely, #HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-1.90%), #Samsung Biologics (-0.42%), and #Hanwha Aerospace (-0.76%) are among the stocks trading lower.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ is trading at 987.65, down 13.28 points (1.33%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 1,001.40, up 0.47 points (0.05%) from the previous close, but soon turned lower and fell below the 1,000 mark.

The top two stocks by market capitalization are both trading flat. #Alteogen is trading at 372,500 won, up 3,000 won (0.81%) from the previous close. In contrast, #Ecopro BM is trading at 172,200 won, down 100 won (0.06%) from the previous trading day.

Among other top-market-cap stocks, most are trading lower, including #EcoPro (-2.11%), #Juseong Engineering (-5.41%), #Kolon TissueGene (-1.88%), and #Wonik IPS (-6.62%). #Padu (2.40%) and #Jeju Semiconductor (3.57%) are among those trading higher.

Han Ji-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities, predicted, “Buoyed by a sharp rise of over 6% in the U.S. Philadelphia Semiconductor Index and a gain of over 3% in KOSPI 200 overnight futures, the market is expected to open with a rally led by the semiconductor sector, continuing the trend from the previous day.” However, she added, “During the trading session, profit-taking driven by the KOSPI breaking through the 9,000-point mark, combined with concerns over the pace of the recent sharp rally, is expected to limit further upside momentum, leading to a shift toward a sector rotation market.”