Market index
KOSPI Index
Korea's large-cap benchmark, used to read domestic risk appetite and flow conditions.
At a glance
KOSPI Index: latest value and prior change
As of 2026-07-23, KOSPI Index is 7,097 pt. It is 299.2 pt higher than 6,798 pt on 2026-07-22.
Within the default comparison window of 1,000 observations from 2022-06-15 to 2026-07-23, the latest value is at the tie-adjusted 96th percentile. Available history covers 1990-07-11 to 2026-07-23 with 9,167 observations.
- Observed on
- Default comparison window
- 2022-06-15–2026-07-23
- Observations · observed cadence
- 1,000 · Daily
- Data source
- KRX
A high or low percentile does not by itself make the indicator positive, negative, or a buy or sell signal.
Time-series chart
KOSPI Index
1990-07-11–2026-07-23
Long-history series are stored as real provider observations. Index, FX, VIX, and ratio charts use historical backfill where providers expose it; Korean investor flow and margin-credit feeds expand as stable historical endpoints become available.
Interpretation guide
Reading the KOSPI through its flow structure
The KOSPI is a market-cap weighted index of all companies listed on the KRX main board, based at 100 on January 4, 1980. Because mega-cap semiconductors dominate the weighting, the index often tells you more about Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and foreign capital flows than about the average Korean stock.
What the construction implies
Cap weighting means a handful of names can move the whole index. When the two largest semiconductor stocks approach a quarter of total weight, an index rally is not proof of broad market strength.
- On up days, compare advancers versus decliners to separate broad strength from concentration.
- When Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix diverge from the index, the rest of the market is showing its true condition.
- A split between KOSPI and KOSDAQ direction signals that large-cap flows and retail risk appetite have decoupled.
Foreign flows and the won
Foreign investors hold a large share of KOSPI market cap, so the index is sensitive to emerging-market allocation shifts and the direction of the won. In won-weakness phases, currency-driven foreign selling often caps the index.
- A resilient KOSPI against a rising USD/KRW suggests domestic flows are absorbing foreign supply.
- Rallies backed by both foreign net buying and won strength tend to be more durable than purely domestic ones.
- The U.S. semiconductor cycle and the NASDAQ Composite are useful leading references for KOSPI heavyweight flows.
Common misreads and a checking order
Treating an index level as cheap or expensive on its own is the most common mistake. The same 2,500 print can describe very different markets depending on earnings, FX, and leverage conditions.
- Before judging the index, check USD/KRW, the VIX Index, and KOSPI margin credit in that order.
- Around short-selling rule changes or dividend record dates, suspect flow distortion first.
- On sharp down days, identify whether large caps led or small caps were dumped before reacting.
Related views
Related indicators and radar
Market breadth
Advance-decline breadth, high-low balance, and trend participation.
Shows whether the index move has broad participation.
KOSPI heavyweight concentration
Market-cap concentration in the largest KOSPI names.
Checks whether KOSPI is being driven by heavyweight concentration.
KOSPI Foreign Net Buy
Foreign flow tied to FX conditions and large-cap demand.
Connects the benchmark with foreign flow support.
USD/KRW
A key FX gauge for won weakness and foreign-flow pressure.
Checks whether FX is helping or hurting KOSPI flows.