[2026.04/13~04/17] Korea Stock Market Weekly Review | KOSPI +7.92%, KOSDAQ +8.65% on US-Iran Ceasefire Rally
📊 This Week at a Glance
The Korean stock market posted one of the strongest weekly rallies of the year from April 13 to 17, 2026, as optimism surrounding the two-week ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran continued to fuel risk-on sentiment. Both benchmarks closed sharply higher, with the KOSPI gaining +7.92% and the KOSDAQ surging +8.65%, driven by aggressive buying from foreign and institutional investors.
| Index | Weekly Open | Weekly Close | Weekly High | Weekly Low | Weekly Volume | Weekly Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOSPI | 5,737.28 | 6,191.92 | 6,231.03 | 5,730.23 | 451,198.3만 | +7.92% |
| KOSDAQ | 1,076.85 | 1,170.04 | 1,170.63 | 1,074.84 | 798,510.1만 | +8.65% |
The KOSPI briefly hit an all-time high of 6,231.03 intraday, while the KOSDAQ recovered the 1,170 level for the first time in months. The USD/KRW exchange rate eased slightly to 1,465.68, down from the 1,470 region a week earlier, creating a favorable backdrop for continued foreign inflows.
📅 Daily Performance
After a brief Monday consolidation, the market strung together three consecutive strong sessions. Friday saw modest profit-taking on the KOSPI, while the KOSDAQ closed higher for the fifth straight day.
| Date | KOSPI Close | KOSPI Change | KOSDAQ Close | KOSDAQ Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/13 (Mon) | 5,808.62 | -0.86% | 1,099.84 | +0.57% |
| 4/14 (Tue) | 5,967.75 | +2.74% | 1,121.88 | +2.00% |
| 4/15 (Wed) | 6,091.39 | +2.07% | 1,152.43 | +2.72% |
| 4/16 (Thu) | 6,226.05 | +2.21% | 1,162.97 | +0.91% |
| 4/17 (Fri) | 6,191.92 | -0.55% | 1,170.04 | +0.61% |
The KOSDAQ recorded gains on all five trading days, logging its biggest daily advance of +2.72% on Wednesday as small-cap biotech and IT component names led a broad-based rally.
📈 KOSPI Weekly Analysis
The KOSPI began the week near 5,808 and surged to a weekly high of 6,226 before settling at 6,191.92, firmly anchored above the 6,200 level. After a modest -0.86% pullback on Monday, the index posted three consecutive sessions of gains exceeding 2%, before cooling off -0.55% on Friday as profit-taking emerged.
Foreign investors drove the rally, net buying more than 1.8 trillion won across Tuesday through Thursday. SK Hynix led the charge with a fresh all-time high, alongside other large-cap semiconductor names that benefited from a renewed global tech rotation. The April 8 US-Iran ceasefire agreement unleashed pent-up buying interest, propelling the index to a weekly peak of 6,231.03. However, the rapid move invited short-term overheating concerns, with Friday's profit-taking action reflecting cautious positioning into next week.
📉 KOSDAQ Weekly Analysis
The KOSDAQ outpaced the KOSPI with a +8.65% weekly gain, starting from 1,099 and climbing steadily through the week to reclaim the 1,170 handle. The index closed higher in all five sessions, a rare streak of broad-based strength.
Biotech and pharmaceutical names led the advance, with GenExel-Sein hitting the daily upper limit and SugenTech, Cellid, and EyeGene posting double-digit percentage gains on clinical trial expectations. In the IT components space, GigaLane, Photonware, and YJ Link all recorded limit-up moves, reflecting aggressive retail and institutional positioning in small caps. Weekly turnover of 798,510.1만 shares indicated a sharp revival in individual investor sentiment. On the downside, cybersecurity names like Raonsecure, Kscing, and Helixmith gave back recent gains as profit-taking set in.
🔥 Weekly Themes & Sectors
🚢 Shipbuilding & Defense (Up)
STX Engine hit the daily limit up, while Hanwha Engine (+7,900 won) and Firstec (+1,750 won) rallied strongly. Despite the US-Iran ceasefire, investors positioned for the possibility of renewed Middle East tensions and continued global defense spending growth.
💊 Biotech & Pharmaceuticals (Up)
GenExel-Sein, Shinpoong Pharm Pref, SugenTech, Cellid, EyeGene, and Celemics saw limit-up moves and double-digit gains throughout the week. Anticipation for clinical trial data releases at AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) combined with individual pipeline catalysts drove the sector higher.
🔋 Battery Materials (Divergent)
L&F led the rally with a +16,100 won surge, and Hoosung posted a sharp rebound. However, OCI Holdings (-32,500 won) and SKC (-8,300 won) ranked among the biggest decliners, highlighting the divergence within the materials space.
📱 IT Components & Displays (Up)
Electronic Equipment (+4.05%), Display Panel (+3.90%), and Telecom Equipment (+2.84%) ranked among the top weekly sectors. Small and mid-cap names such as GigaLane, Photonware, and YJ Link extended their limit-up rallies.
🏗️ Construction & Cement (Down)
Sungshin Cement (-950 won), Taeyoung E&C Pref (-850 won), and Taihan Electric Wire (-2,800 won) were among the top decliners as ongoing project financing concerns and weak order momentum kept the sector sidelined.
🔒 Cybersecurity Software (Down)
Dream Security, Raonsecure, Kscing, and SoftCamp all declined as profit-taking pressured the sector after a strong run in the prior week.
💰 Foreign & Institutional Weekly Flow
Foreign investors drove the rally with net purchases of 827.8 billion won on 4/14, 552.2 billion won on 4/15, and 464.4 billion won on 4/16 — cumulative net buying exceeding 1.8 trillion won for the week. Institutions joined the buying, including a 464.4 billion won net purchase on Thursday, signaling a clear re-engagement by foreign capital.
In sharp contrast, retail investors booked aggressive profits throughout the week, with net sales of approximately -2.39 trillion won on Tuesday and -1.8 trillion won on Thursday. The baton of demand clearly passed from individuals back to foreign and institutional players. Foreign buying also returned to the KOSDAQ, providing the fuel behind the small-cap rally.
🌍 Global Impact
| Index / FX | Close | Weekly Change |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 7,126.06 | +1.20% |
| NASDAQ | 24,468.48 | +1.52% |
| Dow Jones | 49,447.43 | +1.79% |
| USD/KRW | 1,465.68 | Mildly lower |
All three major US indices closed higher for the week, reinforcing the global risk-on tone. The NASDAQ's move above 24,468 and the Dow's fresh record near 49,447 provided a supportive backdrop for a re-rating of Korean semiconductor and IT names. The USD/KRW edged down toward 1,465, improving conditions for foreign portfolio inflows. WTI crude came under pressure amid continued Middle East de-escalation, weighing on the energy sector. The April 8 US-Iran two-week ceasefire agreement remained the single largest driver of this week's rally.
📋 This Week's Economic Indicators & Earnings
Global High-Impact Events
| Date (KST) | Country | Event | Forecast | Previous | Actual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/14 | USD | Core PPI m/m | 0.4% | 0.5% | TBD |
| 4/14 | USD | PPI m/m | 1.1% | 0.7% | TBD |
| 4/16 | AUD | Employment Change | 19.1K | 48.9K | TBD |
| 4/16 | AUD | Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | TBD |
| 4/16 | GBP | GDP m/m | 0.1% | 0.0% | TBD |
US PPI inflation, Australian employment data, and UK monthly GDP were the key scheduled releases for the week. Final confirmed figures were not yet available at the time of writing. Market attention was otherwise dominated by the US-Iran ceasefire narrative and the opening of the Q1 earnings season.
Earnings Highlights
- Samsung Electronics, Hanwha Aerospace, and Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical drew earnings-related attention during the week.
- Brokerage consensus continued to trend higher for multiple large caps, with sell-side expectations for an "earnings surprise" parade in the current Q1 season.
- SK Hynix's preliminary results reinforced the semiconductor re-rating narrative and helped lift the broader large-cap complex.
- Following the US-Iran ceasefire announcement, individual investors net-sold roughly 7.7 trillion won in the KOSPI but net-bought 656.7 billion won in the KOSDAQ.
🔮 Next Week Outlook & Key Risks
Next week (4/20~24) aligns with the expiration of the two-week US-Iran ceasefire, making geopolitics the single most important variable for global risk assets. Domestic and international Q1 earnings season will shift into higher gear, with detailed results from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix expected, alongside pharmaceutical clinical data releases at AACR.
In the US, major big-tech earnings reports, March Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation, and new home sales data will drive market volatility. Traders will also be positioning ahead of the FOMC blackout period, during which Fed officials refrain from public commentary.
Next Week Checkpoints
- Geopolitics: Around April 22 — potential expiration or extension of the US-Iran ceasefire.
- Earnings: Final Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix results; major US big-tech earnings season.
- Inflation: US March PCE — a decisive input for Fed rate cut expectations.
- Conferences: AACR clinical data releases — key momentum driver for biotech names.
- Flow & Technicals: Short-term overbought conditions and rising margin balances raise volatility risk.
⚠️ Risk Factors
Following this week's powerful rally, investors should keep the following risks in mind:
- Geopolitical risk: The outcome of negotiations at the end of the two-week US-Iran ceasefire could trigger sharp moves in oil and defense names.
- Overheating risk: With KOSPI anchored above 6,200 and KOSDAQ above 1,170, short-term overheating concerns and a rapid rise in margin loan balances increase volatility risk.
- Inflation risk: A hotter-than-expected US PCE print could erode Fed rate cut expectations.
- Flow risk: If foreign buying pressure fades while retail selling persists, demand could hollow out quickly.
- Biotech reversal: Disappointing clinical readouts could trigger sharp pullbacks in the now-stretched pharmaceutical and biotech complex.
⚠️ Investment Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment decisions are the sole responsibility of the investor. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
🇰🇷 Korean Version: https://kai-search.tistory.com/362
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