05.12.202502:04:41UTC+00South Korean Shares Lifted by Wall Street Gains

The benchmark KOSPI index experienced a 0.67% increase, reaching approximately 4,055 on Friday. This rise represents a recovery from the prior session’s declines as investor sentiment improved following positive overnight movements in the U.S. markets. Among large-cap stocks, performance was mixed. Gains were led by Samsung Electronics at 0.38%, LG Energy Solution at 3.72%, Hyundai Motor at 6%, and Hanwha Ocean at 0.82%. Conversely, SK Hynix fell by 1.85%, Samsung Biologics declined by 1.25%, and SK Square dropped by 4.16%. Marking a new record high, Hyundai Motor experienced a boost in share value, driven by increasing investor confidence and its strategic partnership announcement with France’s Air Liquide SA. The collaboration aims to create significant hydrogen hubs across Europe, Korea, and the United States. Additionally supporting the KOSPI’s ascent, South Korea’s accumulated current account surplus for the first ten months of 2025 reached an unprecedented $89.58 billion, sustaining a 30-month streak of surpluses.