KOSPI Soars Over 3% Early on Samsung Electronics and SK hynix Gains... KOSDAQ Also Strong

SK hynix Soars 8% After Announcing Shareholder Returns
Samsung Electronics Jumps 4.9%, Driving KOSPI Higher
KOSDAQ Also Strong, Led by Biotech Stocks

The KOSPI index is surging by over 3% in early trading, driven by gains in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The KOSDAQ index is also showing strength.

On the 20th, the KOSPI index started the day at 6,680.34, up 209.17 points from the previous trading day, displayed on the domestic stock market index board at the Hana Bank dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul. The USD-KRW exchange rate was 1,389 won as of 9:05 a.m., down 8.7 won from the previous day's closing price. Photo by Jinhyung Kang, August 20, 2026

As of 9:30 AM on August 20, 2026, the KOSPI index was trading at 6703.45, up 232.28 points (3.59%) from the previous trading day. Foreign investors and institutional investors recorded net sales of 42.363 billion won and 552.115 billion won, respectively, while individual investors posted a net purchase of 42.241 billion won.

By sector, the electric and electronics sector (+5.29%), which includes Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, showed clear upward momentum. Most sectors were strong as well, including metals (+4.52%), securities (+4.21%), and electric & gas (+3.00%). However, transportation & warehousing (+0.84%), telecommunications (-0.58%), and textiles & apparel (-0.34%) posted weaker performances.

Among blue-chip stocks, SK hynix (+8.1%), which announced a shareholder return policy the previous day, soared. SK Square (+4.6%) and Samsung Electronics (+4.9%), both leading semiconductor players, also showed strong gains. Other gainers included Samsung Life Insurance (+4.1%), Celltrion (+1.6%), and LG Energy Solution (+1.2%). On the other hand, KB Financial Group (-2.7%) and Shinhan Financial Group (-1.7%) were among the decliners.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 836.45, up 11.99 points (1.45%). Foreign investors recorded a net sale of 121.882 billion won, while individuals and institutions posted net purchases of 100.583 billion won and 27.862 billion won, respectively.

By sector, all segments except for transportation equipment & parts (-0.78%) and distribution (-0.22%) were on the rise. General services (+3.62%), finance (+2.92%), paper & wood (+2.03%), and entertainment & culture (+1.59%) stood out with notable gains.

Following strength in U.S. biotech stocks the previous day, KOSDAQ biotech stocks also performed well. Alteogen (+8.2%), Pharmaresearch (+4.0%), ABL Bio (+1.3%), and Ligachem Bio (+0.9%) all posted gains. Other stocks including Ecopro (+3.1%), Ecopro BM (+4.0%), and HPSP (+3.5%) also saw high increases.

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