South Korean shares rise over 2% as Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix hit records

Published on 12/29/2025 at 02:06 am EST

• KOSPI rises, foreigners net buyers
• Korean won strengthens against dollar
• South Korea benchmark bond yield falls

(Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:
** South Korean shares rose more than 2% on Monday to their highest level in nearly two months, led by a record-setting rally in chipmakers, on upbeat export data.
** The won touched its strongest level since early November, while the benchmark bond yield fell.
** The benchmark KOSPI ended the session up 90.88 points, or 2.20%, at 4,220.56, its highest closing level since November 3, when the index marked an all-time closing high at 4,221.87.
** The KOSPI has risen 75.89% so far this year, set for its biggest yearly jump since 1999. Tuesday will be the last trading day of 2025, before the domestic market reopens on Friday.
** South Korea's exports for this year have surpassed $700 billion for the first time, as of Monday.
** Exports likely rose for the seventh consecutive month in December, led by strong chip demand, according to a Reuters poll. The data will be reported on Thursday.
** "Earnings forecasts are being continuously raised, which will continue to support the market," said Park Kwang-nam, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities.
** Samsung Electronics rose 2.14% and SK Hynix gained 6.84%. Both chipmakers posted all-time closing highs.
** Among other index heavyweights, battery maker LG Energy Solution slid 0.91%, while Hyundai Motor and sister automaker Kia Corp were up 2.62% and 1.09%, respectively.
** Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 329.5 billion won ($230.08 million).
** The won was quoted at 1,429.8 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform, 0.87% higher than its previous close at 1,442.2.
** The currency touched its strongest level since November 3 at 1,429.1.
** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield fell by 2.1 basis points to 2.938%, while the benchmark 10-year yield fell by 2.0 basis points to 3.351%. ($1 = 1,432.1300 won)
(Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)

Sumber : Reuters