South Korea's main stock market, the Kospi, recorded an average daily trading value exceeding 30 trillion won in February, driven by a rally in semiconductor shares. The benchmark Kospi index rose above the 6,000-point level on Wednesday, less than a month after surpassing 5,000 points.
According to the Korea Exchange (KRX), the average daily turnover on the Kospi market reached 32.23 trillion won in February, up 19 percent from 27.06 trillion won the previous month. Analysts attribute the rally to growing optimism over the global semiconductor industry and expectations for market-friendly government policies in Seoul.
Trading activity was heavily concentrated on large-cap technology stocks, particularly Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc. The combined average daily turnover for these two chipmakers totaled 10.5 trillion won, accounting for 33 percent of the total Kospi trading value.
While analysts caution that the market may face a correction after the recent sharp gains, they expect the upward trend to continue for some time. They also highlight lingering uncertainties from heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in strikes by the United States and Israel, as well as shifting U.S. tariff policies under the Donald Trump administration.
"The current rally in the Kospi differs from liquidity-driven surges in the past," said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities. "The trend toward record highs is unlikely to reverse, as the latest gains have been supported by upward revisions to earnings outlook for semiconductor companies."
This performance aligns with the Kospi surpassing 6,000 points on Wednesday, just under a month after breaking the 5,000 mark. The market shows vitality based on semiconductor strength, but vigilance against external risks remains essential.
