The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.2% to around 4,160 on Friday, recovering losses from the previous session and moving closer to a one-month high, supported by firmer global risk appetite after Wall Street closed at fresh record highs. Confidence improved further as investors continued to assess the impact of the recent US Federal Reserve rate cut, which has eased pressure on yields and encouraged flows back into large-cap equities in Seoul. Momentum also picked up in the semiconductor sector after Broadcom delivered stronger-than-expected earnings, helping calm recent concerns over an overheated AI trade. Samsung Electronics (+1.4%) and SK hynix (+2.3%) both traded higher, anchoring the index and reinforcing the recovery tone across major chip names. Gains extended to Hyundai Motor (+1.6%), Doosan Enerbility (+1.9%), Hanwha Aerospace (+4.4%), and Kia Corporation (+1.6%). A steadier won also added a layer of support, drawing foreign inflows and helping stabilize overall trading conditions.
