South Korean stocks extended gains as investors rushed into chip makers and other growth sectors. The main index climbed higher for a second session, fueled by optimism about the global chip industry.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 17.54 points, or 0.51 percent, to finish at 3,486.19. Investors showed healthy activity with a trade volume of 350 million shares worth 11.9 trillion won, or $8.54 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers 598 to 269, but large-cap tech firms pushed the market upward.
Foreign investors bought a net 303 billion won worth of local stocks. However, individuals sold 244 billion won, and institutions unloaded 136.3 billion won. Despite the selling, South Korean stocks gained strength due to strong demand for semiconductors.
Chip shares once again led the upward move. Investors welcomed the announcement from Nvidia, which confirmed plans to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI to build advanced AI data centers. The news increased appetite for related tech stocks.
Samsung Electronics rose 1.44 percent to close at 84,700 won. The stock briefly surpassed the 90,000 won level in pre-market trading, showing strong momentum. Meanwhile, SK hynix surged 2.85 percent to 361,000 won. These two companies dominated trading and lifted overall South Korean stocks.
Electric equipment producers also joined the rally. HD Hyundai Electric climbed 1.54 percent to 594,000 won. Other firms in the same sector advanced as Nvidia’s huge investment plan boosted confidence in future demand for electronics.
In addition, pharmaceutical firms added more strength to the market. Samsung Biologics edged up 0.97 percent to 1,036,000 won, while Celltrion soared 8.93 percent to 184,200 won. These moves showed that investors also looked beyond technology to diversify into healthcare growth stories.
The South Korean won remained stable against the dollar. It traded at 1,391.0 won per dollar, the same level as the previous session. Currency stability helped sustain confidence in equity markets, reinforcing the upward trend of South Korean stocks.
Overall, strong chip momentum, broad-based gains, and foreign buying supported the market. With optimism around global tech demand, investors continued to build positions despite mixed signals from smaller firms.
