KOSPI Closes Above 9,100... SK hynix Becomes Leading Stock

SK hynix Becomes No.1 in Market Capitalization, Excluding Samsung Electronics Preferred Shares

The KOSPI, which had fallen to the 8,900-point range in the early session, rebounded to close in the 9,100-point range. SK hynix surged more than 5% in a largely flat market, overtaking Samsung Electronics to become the leading stock on the KOSPI.

On the 22nd, the Korea Exchange reported that the KOSPI closed at 9,114.55, up 62.13 points (0.69%) from the previous session.

On the 22nd, after the KOSPI index started lower in the morning and fell below the 9200 level, the electronic display board in the dealing room of Hana Bank's headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul showed the KOSPI index and SK hynix stock prices. 2026.6.22 Photo by Kang Jinhyung

The KOSPI, which had started the day lower, turned upward as individual investors bought 3.0758 trillion won worth of shares and institutional investors purchased 285.4 billion won. Foreign investors recorded net sales of 3.4361 trillion won.

Notably, SK hynix closed at 2,919,000 won, up 5.16% from the previous session, overtaking Samsung Electronics, which fell 0.14%, to become the leading stock on the KOSPI. This marks the first time in 26 years since 2000 that the top spot in market capitalization on the domestic stock market has changed hands.

As of the market close, SK hynix's market capitalization stood at 2,080 trillion won, while Samsung Electronics' common shares had a market capitalization of 2,066 trillion won. However, when including preferred shares (179 trillion won), Samsung Electronics remains ahead in total market capitalization.

Among the top market cap stocks, all declined except for SK Square (up 10.67%) and Samsung C&T (up 5.80%). The following stocks posted losses: Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-1.85%), Hyundai Motor (-5.22%), LG Energy Solution (-4.70%), Samsung Life Insurance (-9.36%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-4.65%), and Doosan Enerbility (-3.78%).

By industry, gains were seen in electrical and electronics (2.02%), medical and precision instruments (3.01%), distribution (2.30%), and manufacturing (1.01%). However, most sectors declined, including food, beverage and tobacco (-2.85%), textiles and apparel (-4.15%), paper and wood (-1.17%), chemicals (-2.24%), pharmaceuticals (-3.67%), non-metallics (-1.24%), and metals (-2.56%).

The KOSDAQ closed at 968.40, up 1.81 points from the previous session. Foreign investors bought 365.8 billion won, institutions purchased 276 billion won, and individuals sold 517.6 billion won.

Among the top market capitalization stocks on the KOSDAQ, Alteogen (-0.85%), EcoPro BM (-1.59%), EcoPro (-1.29%), Rainbow Robotics (-2.88%), Kolon TissueGene (-0.49%), and Leeno Industrial (-0.22%) fell. Jusung Engineering (up 2.49%), Wonik IPS (up 10.58%), HLB (up 5.61%), and EO Technics (up 3.91%) ended higher.

Kyungmin Lee, a researcher at Daishin Securities, said, "Both Samsung Electronics and SK hynix continued their upward trend amid the industry upcycle caused by memory bottlenecks, but SK hynix, with its higher concentration in memory semiconductors, showed more pronounced momentum. Ahead of the pre-earnings season, expectations for earnings remain valid, and Korea's robust exports provided additional momentum, driving the strength in the semiconductor sector."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.