Key facts
- Seoul stocks surged over 4 percent on July 23, 2026.
- The KOSPI index closed at 7,096.89, up 4.4 percent.
- Alphabet's strong second-quarter earnings and positive outlook for AI demand fueled the tech rally.
- Foreign investors were net buyers for the fourth consecutive day.
- The Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar.
Seoul stocks experienced a significant surge on Thursday, July 23, 2026, with the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closing up 4.4 percent at 7,096.89 points. The rally was primarily driven by a sustained tech sector performance, bolstered by better-than-expected second-quarter earnings from Alphabet, the parent company of Google. This positive earnings report, coupled with an increased capital expenditure forecast for artificial intelligence demand, fueled investor optimism in technology stocks. Foreign investors were net buyers for the fourth consecutive day, anticipating continued demand for memory chips. The Korean won also saw gains against the U.S. dollar.