(C) TJB News

SEOUL – The South Korean stock market entered uncharted territory on Thursday, as the benchmark KOSPI index surged past the historic 6,200-point threshold. The rally was fueled by a blockbuster earnings report from U.S. chip giant Nvidia, which ignited a buying frenzy in heavyweight semiconductor stocks, pushing Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to all-time highs.

The "6,000 Era" Gains Momentum
As of 10:08 AM on February 26, 2026, the KOSPI stood at 6,194.06, up 110.20 points (1.81%) from the previous session. After opening at 6,121.03, the index maintained a steep upward trajectory, briefly touching an intraday high of 6,211.50. This milestone marks a definitive start to the "6,000-KOSPI era," driven by the structural growth of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry.

The rally’s primary engine was the individual investor base. Retail investors net purchased over 1.006 trillion won, effectively absorbing the selling pressure from foreign and institutional investors, who offloaded 961.5 billion won and 106.0 billion won, respectively.

The Rise of "210,000-Won Samsung" and "1.04-Million-Won Hynix"
The spotlight was firmly on the nation’s semiconductor titans. Samsung Electronics skyrocketed over 5%, surpassing the 210,000-won mark for the first time in its history. Similarly, SK Hynix climbed 2%, reaching a staggering 1.04 million won per share.

The catalyst was Nvidia's fiscal fourth-quarter results. The AI chip leader reported revenue of $68.13 billion, comfortably beating the LSEG consensus of $66.2 billion. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) hit $1.62, surpassing the expected $1.53. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s remarks that "computing demand is growing exponentially" and that the world has reached a "tipping point for agent-based AI" sent ripples of optimism across the global supply chain.

Mixed Performance Across Sectors
While tech dominated, other large-cap stocks showed mixed results. Automakers and growth stocks like Hyundai Motor (0.17%), Kia (1.07%), and Samsung Biologics (0.35%) traded in the green. Conversely, battery maker LG Energy Solution (-0.23%) and financial giant KB Financial (-1.13%) saw slight retreats.

Market analysts suggest this rally is more than just a short-term spike. "Nvidia’s earnings surprise provides more than a neutral boost; it confirms the sustainability of the AI cycle for domestic chipmakers," said Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiung Securities. "We expect the KOSPI to attempt a firm consolidation above the 6,100 level following this momentum."

KOSDAQ Remains Cautious
In contrast to the KOSPI’s explosive growth, the secondary KOSDAQ market remained relatively flat. The index sat at 1,169.20, up 3.95 points (0.34%). While retail buying was present, heavy selling by institutions and foreigners capped the gains.

In the KOSDAQ, bio-tech and battery materials saw a correction, with Alteogen (-1.49%) and EcoPro BM (-0.46%) trending downward, while robotics and specialized tech shares like Rainbow Robotics (6.35%) performed strongly.

As the Korean market continues its record-breaking run, all eyes remain on the sustainability of the AI-driven export recovery and whether the 6,200 level will become the new floor for the KOSPI.