Korea Macro Daily(Beta Mode)
KOSPI Surges on Ceasefire, BoK Eyes Hike
Market Snapshot
| Asset | Level | Change |
|---|---|---|
| KOSPI | 8,123.62 | +4.63% |
| KOSDAQ | 1,029.05 | +3.22% |
| USD/KRW | 1,517.04 | -0.02% |
| Samsung | 322,500.00 | +7.86% |
| SK Hynix | 2,150,000.00 | +2.33% |
| Brent Crude | 83.51 | -4.37% |
| Gold | 4,331.00 | +2.75% |
| Bitcoin | 66,498.14 | +1.20% |
| Korea Short-term Rate | 2.52% | -0.40% |
| Korea Long-term Rate | 3.74% | +0.24% |
Prior Economic Events
| Data | Prior | Cons | Actual |
|---|---|---|---|
| No events available | |||
Korea Industrial Production YoY | Type: macro_line | Industrial Production YoY %: 1.898 (2026-03-01) | Range: -12.45–10.23 | Trend(5pt): 10.23,-1.382,6.411,3.857,1.898
Today's Economic Events
| Data | Prior | Cons | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| No events available | |||
- KOSPI jumped 4.63% to 8,123.62 while KOSDAQ rose 3.22%, led by Samsung’s 7.86% gain on AI chip demand.
- USD/KRW eased 0.02% to 1,517.04 as risk appetite improved after US-Iran ceasefire news and BoK hawkish signals.
- May trade surplus widened on semiconductor exports, supporting the won despite 39 trillion won in monthly outflows.
Yesterday's Recap
South Korean equities staged a sharp rebound after news of a US-Iran ceasefire reduced risk aversion and lifted the KOSPI 4.63%. Samsung and SK Hynix advanced 7.86% and 2.33% respectively on sustained AI chip export strength. The won gained modestly against the dollar as foreign buying returned and the Bank of Korea reiterated its readiness to tighten policy.
May trade data showed a wider surplus, reinforcing the positive export outlook for memory chips. Short-term rates fell 0.40 percentage points to 2.52% while the long-term yield rose 0.24 points to 3.74%. Market participants also noted ongoing FX stabilization measures announced to counter recent won weakness.
Overall sentiment improved despite continued net outflows from domestic funds.
The Day Ahead
No major data releases are scheduled for the coming session. Attention will remain on any further BoK comments regarding inflation risks and possible rate adjustments. Traders will monitor USD/KRW moves for signs of renewed intervention following the recent stabilization package.
Semiconductor export figures and global chip demand updates are expected to influence equity flows. FX reserve data and foreign portfolio updates may also affect won sentiment later in the week.
Other Economic Notes
Semiconductor demand continues to anchor Korea’s export performance and trade balance. Power-chip R&D commitments totaling 750 billion won aim to broaden the industry base beyond memory. Persistent monthly outflows of 39 trillion won highlight domestic investor caution even as equities rally.
The combination of stronger chip exports and policy support for the won is helping offset external volatility.
Global Macro News
The US-Iran ceasefire eased global risk aversion and supported Asian equity markets including Korea. Brent crude fell 4.37% to $83.51 on reduced supply concerns while gold rose 2.75% to $4,331. Bitcoin gained 1.20% amid improved sentiment.
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