KOSPI Tops 5,200 for First Time South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index topped 5,200 points for the first time, extending a rally into a third straight session after closing above 5,000 on Jan. 27. According to the Korea Exchange, the index rose 2.61 points, or 1.40%, from the previous session to trade at 5,243.42 shortly after the open, pushing past the 5,200 mark.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 09:06:00

South Korea’s Kospi Opens Up 1.40% to 5,243.42; Kosdaq Rises 1.76% South Korea’s Kospi opened up 72.61 points, or 1.40%, at 5,243.42. The Kosdaq opened up 19.91 points, or 1.76%, at 1,153.43.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 09:03:00

SK Securities Raises Samsung C&T Target Price on Earnings, Shareholder Returns Outlook SK Securities said Wednesday it raised its target price for Samsung C&T to 370,000 won from 350,000 won, citing improving results and the likelihood of stronger shareholder returns. It maintained its “buy” rating. Choi Kwan Soon, an analyst at SK Securities, said Samsung C&T’s revenue fell 3.2% last year, but the firm forecasts revenue of 44.5 trillion won this year, up 9.3%. He said the goal is achievable given rising orders in the construction unit’s high-tech segment and higher utilization in the biotech business. Choi said improved internal cash flow is likely to support expanded shareholder returns. He added that with the company set to cancel all treasury shares it holds, additional buybacks this year are possible, and expectations remain for a new dividend policy scheduled to be announced next month. Choi said Samsung C&T trades at a 54.6% discount to its net asset value, meaning gains in subsidiary share prices have not been fully reflected. He said the new shareholder-return policy expected next month could be a trigger to narrow that discount. Samsung C&T’s fourth-quarter revenue and operating profit rose 8.4% and 29.6% from a year earlier to 10.8 trillion won and 822.3 billion won, respectively. The company confirmed a dividend of 2,800 won per share, up 200 won from the previous year, and decided to cancel 4.6% of its treasury shares.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 09:00:17

South Korean Investor Deposits Top 100 Trillion Won for First Time as Stocks Rally South Korea’s stock market surge has pushed investor deposits above 100 trillion won for the first time. The Korea Financial Investment Association said investor deposits totaled 100.2826 trillion won as of Jan. 27. That is up 12.4535 trillion won from 87.8291 trillion won at the end of last year. Investor deposits are funds clients keep at brokerage firms to trade stocks, funds and other investment products. Because the money can move into the market at any time, it is treated as standby cash and is widely used as a gauge of investor sentiment. Historically, rising deposits have been read as a sign that expectations for stronger indexes are growing and that more money could still flow into the market. The latest increase comes as the rally continues, with money appearing to shift from other assets such as savings products and real estate. As the Kospi and Kosdaq have repeatedly hit record highs this year, profits taken by investors are also seen accumulating as deposits. As sentiment has strengthened, margin investing has also increased. As of Jan. 27, outstanding margin loans stood at 29.2450 trillion won, including 18.7847 trillion won in the Kospi market and 10.4603 trillion won in the Kosdaq market. The Kospi is up 22.7% this year, breaking above 5,000 for the first time and reaching as high as 5,130. Its market capitalization totals 4,276 trillion won. The Kosdaq has gained 22.48% since the start of the year, topping 1,000 points for the first time since the 2000 “IT bubble” and settling around 1,130.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 08:54:00

South Korea to Allow High-Risk Single-Stock Leveraged ETFs; KOSPI Rally Continues ◆Aju Economy top stories ▷If high-risk leveraged ETFs are introduced, “Korea’s market will heat up even more” -Last year in Hong Kong and the U.S., leveraged and inverse ETFs tracking individual stocks at 2x or -2x became widely used. In South Korea, regulations have blocked such launches, and they have been cited as a factor behind outflows by retail investors buying overseas assets. -The government plans to allow high-risk, high-multiple ETFs in South Korea to boost the domestic market and encourage overseas investment funds to return. It is set to issue a legislative notice on Jan. 30 for a revised enforcement decree of the Capital Markets Act. -Under the deregulation guidelines, eligible underlying stocks will be limited to blue chips by market capitalization. Only products targeting 2x and -2x daily returns will be allowed; 3x products will be excluded. -Financial authorities expect the move to ease the concentration of ETF investing overseas and to increase trading value and liquidity in the domestic market. -Concerns remain that speculative trading could increase volatility. Even so, the KOSPI has extended a record rally, breaking above 5,100 for the first time. ◆Key report ▷Don’t let the successor be swayed (say what needs to be said) -Meritz Securities said it expects the U.S. policy rate cut in 2026 could be possible around June, after Chair Jerome Powell steps down, and it maintained its forecast for two cuts this year to 3.25%. -At the January FOMC meeting, the Federal Reserve held rates steady despite dissenting views favoring a cut from Governors Christopher Waller and Adriana D. Kugler. The Fed cited lower downside risks to employment and upgraded its assessment of the economy from “moderate improvement” to “solid improvement.” -Powell said tariff-driven inflation pressure would be temporary and drew a line by saying no one is currently considering a rate hike. Meritz said he is likely to strengthen messaging on monetary policy for the remainder of his term. -Powell avoided direct comment on controversy over pressure from President Donald Trump and Fed personnel issues, but said in principle that the next Fed chair “should not be swayed by elected power.” -With markets focused less on the decision itself than on the next Fed chair, Rick Rieder was seen as the leading candidate at about 40% on Kalshi, according to the report. ◆Key disclosures after the close (28th) ▷LG Chem to pay cash dividends of 2,000 won per common share and 2,050 won per preferred share ▷SK hynix to additionally acquire shares of its U.S. subsidiary for 14.428 trillion won ▷Taeyoung Engineering & Construction terminates a 74.3 billion won contract for a Busan small-scale housing redevelopment project ▷Daol Investment & Securities posts 42.3 billion won in net profit last year, marking a fourth straight profitable quarter ▷SK Telecom to dispose of treasury shares worth 3.6 billion won ◆Fund flows (as of the 27th, excluding ETFs) ▷Domestic equity funds: +14.4 billion won ▷Overseas equity funds: +97.7 billion won ◆Key events today (29th) ▷Germany: January GfK consumer sentiment index ▷United States: November trade balance; December PCE price index; December personal income and spending; third-quarter nonfarm labor productivity and unit labor costs* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 08:15:50

Assets in ETFs Tracking FnGuide Indexes Top 40 Trillion Won Financial data firm FnGuide said Tuesday that total net assets in exchange-traded funds based on indexes it developed have surpassed 40 trillion won. The total topped 30 trillion won about three months ago. Over that period, net assets in the KODEX AI Semiconductor ETF rose about 310%, to 2.1 trillion won from roughly 500 billion won. TIGER Semiconductor TOP10 climbed about 190%, to about 4.1 trillion won from 1.4 trillion won. FnGuide said the gains reflect concentrated demand for related investments as shares of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix repeatedly hit record highs. FnGuide said it runs its index business on its in-house platform, FNAIDX, which automates the full process of index development and validation. The system uses data to cover everything from generating theme ideas to selecting components, running simulations and verifying performance. A FnGuide official said that in a favorable market environment, nine of the top 10 domestic equity theme indexes by net assets are based on FnGuide indexes. The official said the company plans to expand index development beyond equities to overseas markets, bonds and crypto assets, while upgrading its index design and validation framework to respond to longer-term market shifts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 18:09:16

KSD: 25 Listed Companies Changed Par Value Last Year, Down 12 From Prior Year The Korea Securities Depository said on Tuesday that 25 listed companies, including Young Poong Co., changed their shares’ par value last year, down 12 from the previous year. By market, five companies on the Korea Exchange’s main board and 20 on the Kosdaq carried out par value changes, down two and 10, respectively. Par value changes include stock splits and reverse stock splits. By type, 13 companies conducted stock splits, often aimed at improving trading liquidity, while 12 carried out reverse stock splits, often aimed at enhancing corporate image. Stock splits were more common on the main board (four companies), while reverse stock splits were more common on the Kosdaq (11 companies). Among stock splits, the most common change was from 500 won to 100 won at four companies, followed by 1,000 won to 500 won at three and 5,000 won to 100 won at two. For reverse stock splits, 100 won to 500 won was most common at five companies, followed by 500 won to 1,000 won at two. As of the end of last year, 500-won par value shares accounted for the largest share of the stock market: 50.2% on the main board and 75% on the Kosdaq. On the main board, 500 won (50.2%) was followed by 5,000 won (26.9%) and 1,000 won (13.6%). On the Kosdaq, 500 won was followed by 100 won (19.1%) and 1,000 won (2.2%). The stock market includes shares with par values of 100 won, 200 won, 500 won, 1,000 won, 2,500 won and 5,000 won, as well as no-par-value shares.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:42:42

South Korea’s Kospi Closes at Record 5,170.81; Kosdaq Jumps 4.7% South Korea’s Kospi, which has held above the 5,000 mark, set another record high on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session. The Kosdaq surged more than 4% to finish above 1,130. According to the Korea Exchange, the Kospi rose 85.96 points, or 1.69%, to close at 5,170.81. It opened up 60.54 points, or 1.19%, at 5,145.39 and climbed further on buying by foreign and institutional investors. In the main market, foreigners bought a net 574.2 billion won and institutions bought a net 1.1534 trillion won. Retail investors bought a net 1.7229 trillion won. Most heavyweight stocks ended higher, including Samsung Electronics (up 1.82%), SK hynix (up 5.13%), LG Energy Solution (up 5.51%), Hyundai Motor (up 0.82%), Samsung Biologics (up 0.06%) and SK Square (up 6.55%). Samsung Electronics gained 2,900 won to close at 162,400 won, while SK hynix jumped 41,000 won to 841,000 won. Both set record closing highs. By sector, electronics rose 3.18%, financials gained 0.25% and pharmaceuticals added 1.43%. IT services fell 0.79% and machinery and equipment slipped 0.36%. The Kosdaq also rallied. The index rose 50.93 points, or 4.70%, to close at 1,133.52. It opened up 10.88 points, or 1.00%, at 1,093.47 and accelerated on net buying by institutions. Individuals sold a net 2.5981 trillion won, while foreigners bought a net 453.5 billion won and institutions bought a net 2.3268 trillion won. Institutions have been net buyers for three straight sessions in the Kosdaq market. Among top Kosdaq stocks, Alteogen rose 6.62%, EcoPro surged 21.82%, EcoPro BM gained 7.26%, Rainbow Robotics added 6.92%, Samchundang Pharm rose 5.52% and HLB gained 1.36%. ABL Bio fell 0.82% and Kolon TissueGene slipped 1.12%. By sector, electronics rose 6.07%, pharmaceuticals gained 2.90%, machinery and equipment climbed 6.69% and general services added 3.87%. Telecommunications fell 1.57%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:33:30

Newcomers to Korean stock markets in roller-coaster ride SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - Newcomers to South Korea’s stock market are drawing increased warnings from the Korea Exchange (KRX), as freshly listed companies swing sharply in price and trading volume. Samyang Biopharm, which debuted on Nov. 24, was designated an investment-warning issue on Tuesday after its shares overheated in early trading. Nota, listed on Nov. 3, received the same label from Nov. 11 to 25 as AI-themed retail buying sent the stock surging before a rapid pullback. IT Chem, which listed in August, also saw wide intraday swings and was placed under warning from Sept. 26 to Oct. 20. The Pinkfong Company, best known for its children’s content franchise, was flagged as an investment-caution stock on Nov. 19 after its post-listing jump triggered abnormal-trading indicators. The KRX’s alert system classifies stocks under “caution,” “warning” and “risk” categories depending on price spikes, trading surges or excessive short-term concentration. Designations can lead to tighter credit-transaction limits, additional disclosure obligations and temporary restrictions intended to cool speculative trading. The creator of Baby Shark drew early caution status as its trading volume and price surged immediately after listing. Nota’s volatility was fueled by momentum-driven demand from retail investors chasing AI exposure, sending shares on a quick ascent before correcting. Market observers note that newly listed companies tend to have relatively small free floats and attract heavy interest from individual investors—conditions that often produce sharp, sentiment-driven swings. “Since mid-year, the IPO market has been buoyant, and that naturally brings short-term distortions in pricing,” said a securities-industry official. “Investment warnings act as a necessary brake.” Some analysts warn that repeated designations could spill over into broader market sentiment if investors interpret them as signaling stress in specific sectors. “Caution or warning labels usually stem from isolated events,” a Korea Exchange official said. “But when one stock surges excessively, it can amplify volatility across related names.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-03 16:34:43

Korea's only commercial small-satellite platform firm targets global growth with planned IPO SEOUL, December 02 (AJP) - Nara Space Technology, South Korea’s only commercial provider of small-satellite platforms, is preparing to list on the KOSDAQ market as it seeks to scale its global business on the back of growing demand for earth-observation data. At a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday, CEO Park Jae-pil said the company aims to become a world-class small-satellite developer, leveraging the “space heritage” it has accumulated through successful launches and in-orbit operations ahead of its IPO. The company plans to issue 1.72 million shares at a price range of 13,100 to 16,500 won, raising an estimated 22.5 billion to 28.4 billion won. Institutional bookbuilding closes on Dec. 2, with retail subscriptions scheduled for Dec. 8–9. The company aims to complete its listing within December. Samsung Securities is acting as lead underwriter. “We are the only company in South Korea capable of providing small-satellite cluster services,” Park said. “Funds raised from the listing will be used to expand internationally and speed up satellite launches.” Founded in 2015, Nara Space Technology has grown into the country’s sole commercial supplier offering end-to-end capabilities spanning satellite design, manufacturing, launch, mission operations, imaging and data analytics. The company secured its space heritage after successfully launching and communicating with its Observer-1A satellite in November 2023 and its Observer-1B in 2025. It now operates two satellites in orbit. Nara Space Technology’s recent payload launch on South Korea’s Nuri rocket, and its contract to fly again on Nuri’s sixth mission in 2027, have strengthened its credibility. The firm is working with major Korean companies including Samsung Electronics, KT and Hanwha Systems. Its cluster-based observation platform shortens revisit intervals compared with single-satellite systems, offering applications in disaster response, carbon-emission monitoring and smart-city management. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-02 15:06:03