Why did the KOSPI rise above 7,000 on September 9, 2026?

Chip stocks led the rally, and strength in U.S. semiconductor shares overnight carried over into the Korean market. Optimism about artificial intelligence demand also supported chip-related buying, even as Middle East tensions and higher oil prices weighed on sentiment.

How much did SK hynix and Samsung Electronics move as KOSPI reclaimed 7,000?

SK hynix rose 3.51 percent to close at 1,856,000 won. Samsung Electronics finished unchanged at 269,500 won.

What were the closing levels for the Kosdaq and the won-dollar rate on Wednesday?

The Kosdaq closed at 830.37, up 18.49 points, or 2.28 percent. The won-dollar rate ended at 1,336.1 won, down 9.5 won from the previous session.

KOSPI reclaims 7,000 as chip gains offset oil price worries

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Summary

The benchmark KOSPI reclaimed the 7,000 mark Wednesday in Seoul, led by chip stocks despite worries over Middle East tensions and higher oil prices. It closed at 7,051.64, up 1.4 percent, for its first finish above 7,000 since July 23. Institutional investors bought 942 billion won worth of shares, while retail and foreign investors sold.

Key Facts

The KOSPI opened at 6,972.87, rose throughout the session, and closed at 7,051.64.
SK hynix rose 3.51 percent to 1,856,000 won, while Samsung Electronics was unchanged at 269,500 won.
The Kosdaq closed at 830.37, up 2.28 percent from the previous session.
The won-dollar rate closed at 1,336.1 won, down 9.5 won from the previous session.

By Lee Hyo-jin

Published Sep 9, 2026 4:12 pm KST

The KOSPI index is displayed in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Wednesday. The benchmark index closed at 7,051.64, up 1.4 percent from the previous session, reclaiming the 7,000 mark for the first time in 33 trading days. Yonhap

The benchmark KOSPI reclaimed the 7,000 mark Wednesday, with chip stocks leading the rally despite lingering concerns over escalating tensions in the Middle East and rising oil prices.

It marked the first close above 7,000 since July 23.

The KOSPI closed at 7,051.64, up 1.4 percent from the previous session. The index opened 18.35 points, or 0.26 percent, higher at 6,972.87 and extended its gains throughout the session.

Institutional investors were net buyers, purchasing 942 billion won ($705 million) worth of shares, while retail investors and foreign investors were net sellers, offloading 2.288 trillion won and 435.1 billion won, respectively.

Market bellwethers showed mixed performances, with SK hynix rising 3.51 percent to close at 1,856,000 won, while Samsung Electronics was unchanged at 269,500 won.

The KOSPI's advance came despite a weaker session on Wall Street overnight. The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all closed lower as renewed tensions in the Middle East and higher oil prices weighed on investor sentiment.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index bucked the trend, rising more than 1 percent as optimism over artificial intelligence (AI) demand continued to support chip stocks. OpenAI's latest AI model, GPT-6 Astra, has fueled expectations for stronger demand for memory chips and AI-related hardware.

The strength in U.S. semiconductor stocks overnight carried over into the Korean equities market, helping drive the KOSPI higher.

Attention is also turning to the U.S. consumer price index for August, due Friday (local time), as the inflation data could provide clues about the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy.

Meanwhile, the secondary Kosdaq closed at 830.37, up 18.49 points, or 2.28 percent, from the previous session. The index opened 3.18 points, or 0.39 percent, higher at 815.06.

In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar rate closed at 1,336.1 won, down 9.5 won from the previous session.

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