KOSPI Recovers to 7,300, KOSDAQ Tops 820... Sidecar Triggered Early in the Session

KOSPI Rises on Foreign and Institutional Buying

Samsung Electronics Gains 6%, SK hynix Jumps 11%

KOSDAQ Recovers with Most Top-Cap Stocks Rallying

The KOSPI index and KOSDAQ index have each recovered the 7,300 and 800 levels, respectively. Immediately after the market opened, strong buying momentum triggered buy-side circuit breakers (temporarily suspending program buy orders) for both indices.

On the 15th, as the KOSPI index surged sharply and quickly recovered the 7200 level, the exchange rate, KOSPI, and KOSDAQ indices were displayed on the index status board in the dealing room at the headquarters of Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul. July 15, 2026. Photo by Dongju Yoon

As of 9:32 a.m. on July 15, 2026, the KOSPI index was trading at 7,337.99, up 481.16 points (7.02%) from the previous trading day. At 9:06:41 a.m. on the same day, the KOSPI 200 futures index rose 71.50 points (6.50%) compared to the previous day's close, which also triggered a buy-side circuit breaker.

After falling to the 6,800 range the previous day, the KOSPI index recovered the 7,300 mark due to active buying by foreign investors and institutions. Foreign investors recorded a net purchase of 1,017,944,000,000 won, while institutions recorded a net purchase of 413,966,000,000 won. In contrast, individual investors recorded a net sale of 1,457,285,000,000 won.

By industry, the electrical and electronics sector (up 8.57%), which includes Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, and the machinery and equipment sector (up 6.58%), which includes Hanmi Semiconductor, showed particularly strong gains. Securities (up 6.18%), financials (up 6.00%), medical & precision instruments (up 4.89%), and insurance (up 4.76%) also posted robust performances, with all sectors rising.

Looking at top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics, ranked first, was trading at 2,790,000 won, up 6.0% (160,000 won) from the previous session, while SK hynix, ranked second, was trading at 21,370,000 won, up 11.7% (2,240,000 won). Other leading stocks by market cap such as Hanmi Semiconductor (up 18.0%), SK Square (up 16.9%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (up 11.4%), and SK Inc. (up 9.2%) all recorded significant gains.

The KOSDAQ index was also trading higher, up 38.12 points (4.86%) at 822.10 compared to the day before. The KOSDAQ likewise saw its buy-side circuit breaker triggered at 9:17:14 a.m. At the time of the trigger, the KOSDAQ 150 futures price was up 83.00 points (6.11%) from the previous trading day, and the KOSDAQ 150 spot index was up 79.44 points (5.86%).

The KOSDAQ index saw strong buying activity from individual investors. Individuals recorded a net purchase of 13,356,000,000 won, while foreign investors and institutions recorded net sales of 6,619,000,000 won and 9,848,000,000 won, respectively.

All sectors are posting gains. Financials (up 8.11%), electrical and electronics (up 6.38%), machinery and equipment (up 5.65%), manufacturing (up 5.31%), and general services (up 5.01%) each posted gains of over 5%. Other strong sectors included metals (up 4.78%) and transportation equipment & parts (up 4.34%).

The majority of the top market capitalization stocks are also showing strong performances. Alteogen (up 3.9%), EcoPro BM (up 9.5%), and EcoPro (up 10.8%), which rank first, second, and third by market cap, are posting notable gains. In addition, many other stocks have posted high share price increases, including HLB (up 29.9%), Peptron (up 20.4%), Jeju Semiconductor (up 14.3%), Robotis (up 11.2%), HPSP (up 9.8%), and Wonik IPS (up 9.8%).

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