KOSPI Surges Over 6%... SK hynix Up 13%, Samsung Electronics Jumps 8%

KOSPI Trades Above 6,800 as Semiconductor Stocks Surge
KOSDAQ Sees Distinct Biotech Rally, Gains Over 2%

The KOSPI index is up over 6% during the session, driven by sharp gains in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The KOSDAQ index is also showing strength, rising by more than 2%.

On the 20th, the KOSPI index surged more than 4% in early trading, triggering a buy-sidecar. The electronic board in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul, displayed domestic stock market indices. The won-dollar exchange rate was 1389 won as of 9:05, down 8.7 won from the previous trading day's closing price. August 20, 2026. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang

As of 1:03 p.m. on August 20, 2026, the KOSPI index is trading at 6,871.56, up 400.39 points (6.19%) from the previous trading day. By investor, individuals are net sellers of 2,415.851 billion won, while foreign investors and institutions are net buyers at 1,370.146 billion won and 342.381 billion won, respectively.

By sector, the electric and electronics sector is posting strong gains with a 9.21% increase. Securities (4.83%), insurance (4.45%), retail (4.16%), metals (3.56%), and electric and gas (2.76%) sectors are also robust. On the other hand, some sectors such as textiles and apparel (-1.37%) and transportation and warehousing (-1.29%) are weak.

Among the top stocks by market capitalization, SK hynix (13.2%) and SK Square (10.8%) are delivering standout performances. SK hynix had announced the previous day plans to repurchase and retire treasury shares worth 40 trillion won. KOSPI heavyweight Samsung Electronics is also up sharply (8.8%). In addition, Samsung Life Insurance (8.5%), Samsung C&T (7.2%), and SK Inc. (4.7%) have each gained more than 3%. In contrast, KB Financial Group (-2.7%) and Shinhan Financial Group (-2.0%) are underperforming.

The KOSDAQ index is trading at 841.15, up 16.69 points (2.02%) from the previous trading day. Despite foreign investors being net sellers of 120.165 billion won, individuals and institutions are net buyers of 32.929 billion won and 79.923 billion won, respectively.

Most sectors are showing gains. General services (5.44%), pharmaceuticals (2.42%), electrical and electronics (1.71%), and manufacturing (1.46%) are all up, while publishing and media duplication (-1.35%) and textiles and apparel (-1.26%) are down.

Most of the top market cap stocks are advancing. Biopharmaceutical stocks are especially strong, with Alteogen up 11.3%, Pharmaresearch up 5.2%, ABL Bio up 4.3%, LegoChem Biosciences up 4.1%, Samchundang Pharm up 2.7%, and Peptron up 2.4%. EcoPro (1.9%), EcoPro BM (3.5%), and Rainbow Robotics (1.9%) are also up.

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