Overview
- The benchmark index closed at 4,586.32 on Friday, up 0.75%, marking a sixth consecutive record and bringing the week’s gain to 6.4%.
- Foreign investors offloaded 1.59 trillion won, while institutions and retail buyers absorbed supply with net purchases of 1.19 trillion won and 130 billion won.
- Autos, defense and shipbuilding led the session as Hyundai Motor jumped 7.49%, Hanwha Aerospace rose 11.38%, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries added 4.64% and Korea Aerospace Industries gained 4.9%.
- Chip sentiment remains supported by Samsung Electronics’ projection of a record 20 trillion won fourth-quarter operating profit after the index repeatedly tested the 4,600 level intraday this week.
- Major banks continue to trail the broader market, with the combined value of KB, Shinhan, Hana and Woori little changed this year and still about 8% below one-year peaks.