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KOSPI Rockets 4.7% to 5,181 Points, Triggers Five‑Minute Buy‑Side Halt

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  • Traders work inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Jan. 28, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Traders work inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Jan. 28, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Financial data is seen displayed on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, on Jan. 29, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Financial data is seen displayed on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, on Jan. 29, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • An employee is seen smiling in front of a screen inside the dealing room in Hana Bank of central Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    An employee is seen smiling in front of a screen inside the dealing room in Hana Bank of central Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • The closing benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index is seen on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    The closing benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index is seen on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This photo taken Jan. 30, 2026, shows the dealing room of Woori Bank in Seoul. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This photo taken Jan. 30, 2026, shows the dealing room of Woori Bank in Seoul. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • An employee is seen smiling in front of a screen inside the dealing room in Hana Bank of central Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    An employee is seen smiling in front of a screen inside the dealing room in Hana Bank of central Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • The closing benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index is seen on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    The closing benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index is seen on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Gold for sale is displayed at a store in central Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Gold for sale is displayed at a store in central Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This photo taken Jan. 30, 2026, shows the dealing room of Woori Bank in Seoul. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This photo taken Jan. 30, 2026, shows the dealing room of Woori Bank in Seoul. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Financial data is seen displayed on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, on Jan. 29, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Financial data is seen displayed on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, on Jan. 29, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size

Sharp Rebound Triggers Five‑Minute Buy‑Side Halt The benchmark KOSPI surged 231.74 points to 5,181.41 by 11:20 a.m. on Feb 3, a 4.68 % gain, prompting the Korea Exchange to impose a five‑minute buy‑side circuit breaker after the rapid rise, following a sell‑side pause the previous day [1].

Large‑Cap Leaders Drive Gains After Prior Day Sell‑Off Samsung Electronics jumped 6.58 % and SK hynix rose 7.83 %, while Hyundai Motor, Hanwha Aerospace and KB Financial added 1.57 %, 3.95 % and 2.92 % respectively, lifting most large‑cap shares [1]. The same heavyweights had fallen sharply on Feb 2, when Samsung slid 6.29 % and SK hynix dropped 8.69 % amid a 5.26 % market plunge [2].

Won Strengthens and U.S. Market Cues Influence Sentiment The Korean won strengthened to 1,448.8 per U.S. dollar, improving by 15.5 won from the prior session, reflecting broader optimism [1]. By contrast, the won had weakened to 1,464.3 per dollar on Feb 2, while U.S. Treasury yields rose modestly; Wall Street closed higher after a January manufacturing PMI signaled U.S. growth, bolstering Korean investor confidence [1][2].

Investors Track Fed Chair Nomination and Trade‑Policy Risks Market participants closely monitor the recent Federal Reserve chair nomination and escalating U.S.–Korea trade tensions, which had contributed to the Feb 2 sell‑off and remain a focus despite the rebound [1]. Earlier in the week, President Trump’s tariff warnings and subsequent signals of possible trade‑deal progress created volatility, underscoring the sensitivity of Korean equities to U.S. policy moves [5][6].

AI and Chip Demand Remain Core Drivers Despite Volatility AI‑related buying persisted through the rally, with investors continuing to favor semiconductor and AI hardware stocks, a trend noted in late‑January sessions when the KOSPI hit record highs [3][6]. Chipmakers such as Samsung and SK hynix have repeatedly set all‑time price records, reinforcing the sector’s role as a primary market engine.

Sources

Timeline

Dec 8, 2025 – The KOSPI climbs 1.34% to 4,154.85 ahead of the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee meeting, with investors pricing in a 0.25‑point rate cut; LG Energy Solution jumps 5.99% on a new Mercedes‑Benz supply deal, while Samsung and SK hynix rise on a positive tech outlook, and the won strengthens to 1,466.9 per dollar [30].

Dec 15, 2025 – The KOSPI falls 1.84% to 4,090.59 as AI‑profitability worries resurface after the December FOMC, prompting a sell‑off in Samsung (‑3.76%) and SK hynix (‑2.98%); the won edges higher to 1,471.0 per dollar and bond yields drop sharply [29].

Dec 16, 2025 – The index drops 2.24% to 3,999.13, with investors awaiting U.S. November non‑farm payroll data; Samsung slides 1.91% and SK hynix falls 4.33%, while defensive names like KT&G gain, and the won weakens to about 1,477 per dollar [28].

Dec 17, 2025 – The KOSPI opens 1.33% lower at 4,002.6 as AI fears intensify following Oracle’s data‑center funding pull‑out; U.S. indices retreat, and the won strengthens to 1,478.5 per dollar [27].

Dec 18, 2025 – The market plunges 1.53% to 3,994.5 on renewed AI valuation concerns, with Oracle’s data‑center setback cited by Daishin Securities analyst Lee Kyoung‑min, while Samsung (‑0.28%) and LG Energy Solution (‑8.9%) tumble; the won rises to 1,478.3 per dollar [26].

Dec 26, 2025 – The KOSPI opens 0.56% higher at 4,131.59 on “Santa‑rally” optimism and a Trump warning of raising South Korean tariffs to 25%; Samsung and SK hynix lead gains, while the won slips to 1,453.2 per dollar [25].

Jan 2, 2026 (early session) – The KOSPI opens at 4,238.83, buoyed by retail buying and strong chip gains as Samsung (+2.59%) and SK hynix (+0.92%) rise, while LG Energy Solution and LG Chem fall, and the won trades around 1,441 per dollar [24].

Jan 2, 2026 (later session) – The index closes at an all‑time high of 4,309.63, driven by Samsung (+7.17%) and SK hynix (+3.99%) hitting record levels; 2025 exports hit a $709.7 bn record, and Yuanta Securities analyst Kim Yong‑gu says the KOSPI should stay “neutral‑to‑positive” [22].

Jan 5, 2026 – The KOSPI surges 3.43% to 4,457.52, with Samsung jumping 7.47% to a six‑year high, AI‑driven optimism lifting tech and auto stocks, and the won weakening to 1,443.8 per dollar [21].

Jan 6, 2026 (early) – The benchmark breaks the 4,500 barrier for the first time, closing at 4,525.48 as semiconductor, brokerage and shipbuilding stocks lead; foreign investors flip to net sellers after two days of buying [20].

Jan 6, 2026 (later) – The KOSPI again finishes at 4,525.48, confirming the 4,500 milestone, with heavy trading despite more decliners than advancers and the won slipping to 1,445.5 per dollar [19].

Jan 6, 2026 (additional) – Technology, brokerages and shipbuilders drive the rally, with Samsung up 0.58% and SK hynix up 4.31%; retail buying offsets institutional selling, and the won weakens to 1,445.5 per dollar [18].

Jan 7, 2026 (open) – The KOSPI opens sharply higher, jumping 69.37 points to 4,594.85 and briefly breaching 4,600 as semiconductor and auto names surge; the won eases to 1,448.6 per dollar [17].

Jan 7, 2026 (close) – The index closes at a record 4,551.06 after a brief intraday high of 4,611.72; foreign investors net buy 1.25 trn won, Hyundai’s stock rockets 13.8% on a Boston Dynamics robot demo, and the won weakens to 1,445.8 per dollar [15].

Jan 8, 2026 – The KOSPI extends a five‑day rally to a fresh record of 4,552.37, led by shipbuilding and defense stocks (Hanwha Aerospace +7.92%); Samsung slips despite a record earnings outlook, and the won falls to 1,450.6 per dollar [14].

Jan 9, 2026 – The index hits a new near‑4,600 record at 4,586.32, with autos, defense and shipbuilding powering gains while foreign investors sell for a second straight day; the won strengthens to 1,441.5 per dollar [13].

Jan 16, 2026 (open) – The KOSPI opens above 4,800 for the first time at 4,807.36, spurred by U.S. gains on TSMC results; Samsung rises 0.9% while Naver and NCSOFT fall after losing AI‑foundation model competition slots, and the won softens to 1,471.9 per dollar [12].

Jan 16, 2026 (close) – The benchmark ends at a record 4,840.74, with semiconductor stocks (Samsung +3.47%) driving the rally, market cap surpassing 4,000 trn won, and analysts crediting Samsung’s earnings outlook for the momentum [11].

Jan 27, 2026 (early) – President Trump vows to raise U.S. tariffs on South Korean goods to 25%; the KOSPI slides 0.84% to 4,908.20 as auto and tech stocks tumble, while utilities rise and the won weakens to 1,449.4 per dollar [7].

Jan 27, 2026 (close) – The KOSPI closes above 5,000 for the first time at 5,084.85, after a 2.73% jump; Samsung and SK hynix hit all‑time highs, bond yields ease, and the won steadies at 1,446.2 per dollar [6].

Jan 28, 2026 – Trump signals progress on a trade deal, prompting the KOSPI to jump 1.65% to 5,168.72 in the opening minutes; Samsung and SK hynix lead gains, LG Energy Solution adds 9.55% on a $1.9 bn rocket contract, and the won strengthens to 1,433.5 per dollar [5].

Jan 29, 2026 – The index reaches 5,221.25, a fresh peak, as strong earnings from major firms lift the market despite a weaker won (1,426.3 per dollar) and mixed chip performances; retail investors net buy 1.6 trn won [4].

Jan 30, 2026 – The KOSPI hits a record high of 5,224.3, with AI‑related buying persisting, SK hynix surging 5.57% to a fresh high, and Trump’s tariff threat tempering optimism; the won weakens to 1,439.5 per dollar [3].

Feb 2, 2026 – The KOSPI plunges 5.26% to 4,949.67 after the Federal Reserve chair nomination and a >10% gold price crash that triggers the first KRX gold floor‑limit breach since March 2014; foreign outflows total 2.5 trn won, the won slides to 1,464.3 per dollar, and bond yields rise [2].

Feb 3, 2026 – The KOSPI rebounds 4.68% to 5,181.41, prompting a five‑minute buy‑side circuit breaker; Samsung (+6.58%) and SK hynix (+7.83%) lead gains, the won strengthens to 1,448.8 per dollar, and investors watch the Fed chair nomination and escalating U.S.–Korea trade tensions [1].

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