Key facts
- South Korean stocks closed higher for the fourth consecutive session on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
- The KOSPI index rose 3.21 percent to 6,790.01, driven by chipmakers.
- Samsung Electronics shares increased by 4.89 percent, and SK hynix shares gained 5.91 percent.
- The Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar.
- U.S. tech stocks, particularly those in the AI sector, saw gains overnight.
South Korean stocks concluded their trading day on Thursday, August 13, 2026, with significant gains for the fourth consecutive session, largely propelled by investor interest in major chipmakers. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) saw a substantial rise of 210.97 points, or 3.21 percent, to close at 6,790.01.
This upward trend followed previous gains of 0.65 percent, 0.73 percent, and 3.68 percent in the preceding three trading days. The market opened 2.96 percent higher and continued to climb as foreign and institutional investors consistently purchased shares of key chip companies over the past four sessions.
The rally in Seoul mirrored positive movements in the U.S. market, particularly among technology stocks associated with artificial intelligence. Overnight, the S&P 500 index increased by 0.26 percent, nearing a record high, while the Nasdaq composite advanced by 0.54 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, experienced a slight decrease of 0.04 percent.
In Seoul's market, large-cap stocks generally finished higher. Semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix were notable performers. Samsung Electronics' stock surged by 4.89 percent to 268,000 won per share, while its competitor SK hynix saw a gain of 5.91 percent, reaching 1.59 million won per share. Both companies extended their winning streaks for the third consecutive session.
Accompanying the stock market's performance, the Korean won appreciated against the U.S. dollar. At 3:30 p.m., the won was trading at 1,419.4 against the dollar, marking an increase of 3.7 won from the previous day's closing price.