S.Korean shares hit record on chip, auto surge; president says market 'normalising'

LG Energy Solution

26/02/2026 07:03

KOSPI rises, foreigners net sellers

Korean won strengthens against dollar

South Korea benchmark bond yield falls

For the midday report, please click nL1N3ZM019

SEOUL, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares rose more than 3% on Thursday, hitting a fresh record high, as chipmakers jumped after Nvidia's earnings and automakers also extended a rally.

** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 closed up 223.41 points, or 3.67%, at 6,307.27, the highest close on record and marking a sixth straight session of gains.

** Chipmakers Samsung Electronics 005930.KS and SK Hynix 000660.KS rose 7.13% and 7.96%, respectively, hitting records, after U.S. peer Nvidia NVDA.O posted better-than-expected earnings.

** South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said capital markets were normalising with much of the undervaluation of domestic stocks resolved, after parliament on Wednesday passed a third revision to the Commercial Act aimed at better protecting shareholder interests.

** Lee said there's 99.9% odds that he would return to the domestic stock market after his term ends, as a local survey by NBS Research showed his approval ratings hitting the highest level since he took office in June 2025.

** South Korea's central bank stood pat on interest rates and signalled policy would stay unchanged for the next six months. It raised this year's economic growth forecast to 2.0% from 1.8%, citing a chip boom in exports.

** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR fell by 5.9 basis points to 3.062%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR fell by 7.3 basis points to 3.476%.

** The won was quoted at 1,425.8 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.14% higher than its previous close at 1,427.8.

** Beyond chipmakers, Hyundai Motor 005380.KS rose 6.47%, hitting a fresh record, while sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS rose 5.05%.

** Most other sectors declined. Of the total 926 traded issues, 240 shares advanced, while 662 fell.

** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 2.1 trillion won ($1.47 billion).

($1 = 1,426.2000 won)

 (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Ronojoy Mazumdar)

 ((jihoon.lee@thomsonreuters.com;))