KOSPI Surges 2.52% Fueled by US Semiconductor Rally; KOSDAQ Jumps 5.47%

South Korea's stock market experienced a significant upswing on July 10, 2026, with the KOSPI index closing 2.52% higher at 7475.94. This surge was largely fueled by positive sentiment in the US semiconductor sector, which boosted investor confidence across the board. The KOSDAQ market also performed strongly, climbing 5.47% to end the day at 837.43.

The rally saw a broad market participation, with approximately 88% of all KOSPI-listed stocks finishing in positive territory. Institutional investors were key drivers of the gains, recording a net purchase of 1.1319 trillion won. In contrast, foreign investors and individual investors were net sellers, offloading 322.6 billion won and 772.8 billion won respectively. Despite a slight moderation in the index's gains towards the end of the trading session due to a shift in institutional buying and foreign selling, the KOSPI achieved its highest closing price in three trading days.

The positive influence from the US market stemmed from easing concerns over the semiconductor industry's outlook. Micron Technology's announcement of a $250 billion investment in US semiconductor production through 2035, leading to a 4.52% rise in its stock, contributed to the optimism. Meta's plans to double its computing power and begin producing its own AI chips also bolstered the tech sector. Additionally, anticipation surrounding SK Hynix's upcoming US depositary receipt (ADR) listing and expectations for renewed US-Iran negotiations appeared to further stimulate investment sentiment.

The strong performance was reflected across major stocks. Top KOSPI companies like KB Financial, SK Square, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, and Samsung SDI saw substantial gains. While SK Hynix's stock ultimately closed slightly lower, the overall market trend was overwhelmingly positive. The KOSDAQ market also mirrored this trend, with significant gains in companies such as PSK, Wonik IPS, and EcoPro BM, although HLB experienced a notable decline.