KOSPI Breaks 5200 for the First Time in History... Individuals Bet 1.6 Trillion Won to Set New Record

On the 29th, the KOSPI broke the 5200 mark for the first time in history, setting a new closing record. For two consecutive days, large-scale net buying by individual investors led to the rise in the index.

On that day, the KOSPI finished trading at 5221.25, up 50.44 points (0.98%) from the previous session. The index showed strength, rising to 5252.61 shortly after the opening, but at one point in the morning, it fell to 5073.12, increasing volatility. However, in the afternoon, it quickly recovered its losses and reclaimed the 5200 mark.

In the securities market, individuals net bought 1.6175 trillion won, lifting the index. In contrast, foreigners net sold 1.5097 trillion won, and institutions net sold 150.2 billion won. Foreigners also sold 489.5 billion won worth in the KOSPI 200 futures market, realizing profits.

External variables were relatively stable. Overnight, the New York stock market showed mixed trends as it digested the results of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. The FOMC kept the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50-3.75%, and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated, "The basic outlook is not that the next action will be a rate hike," easing market anxiety.

Before the domestic stock market opened that day, Samsung Electronics announced its performance from last year, which recorded the highest sales ever. The consolidated sales were 333 trillion won, the largest ever, and the operating profit was 43 trillion won, the fourth highest ever. Samsung Electronics surged in early trading but later turned to decline, closing down 1.05% amid perceptions of 'material exhaustion'. SK Hynix, which released its results the previous day, closed up 2.38%.

The top market capitalization stocks showed mixed trends. Hyundai Motor (7.21%), Kia (3.47%), and NAVER (3.42%) showed strength, while LG Energy Solution (-3.36%) and Celltrion (-1.83%) declined. By sector, securities (9.99%) surged, and machinery & equipment, transportation & warehousing, and finance also showed strength.

The KOSDAQ index also rose significantly. The KOSDAQ closed at 1164.41, up 30.89 points (2.73%) from the previous session. It fell to the low 1100s at one point during the day but turned upward thanks to institutional buying. Institutions net bought 2.0421 trillion won in the KOSDAQ market, leading the index rise.

Since the beginning of the year, the KOSDAQ's rise rate is 25.8%, surpassing the KOSPI (23.9%) and recording the highest level among major countries' stock markets.

Meanwhile, the trading volume in the securities market and KOSDAQ market that day was 35 trillion won and 22 trillion won, respectively, exceeding a total of 50 trillion won for two consecutive days. There are also evaluations that overheating signals are appearing across the stock market.