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Both US and South Korean markets are riding a tech-heavy rally. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and South Korea’s KOSPI have all hit record highs, with the KOSPI breaking the 8,400 mark. While easing geopolitical tensions and cooling inflation hopes are supporting the market, there's a growing divide between top-performing tech stocks and the rest of the market.
Korea’s stock market is facing profit-taking pressure after a rebound, while US indices hit record highs on optimism over a potential Iran ceasefire. Semiconductor-led gains continue globally, with Europe seeing slight growth and stabilizing energy prices boosting overall market sentiment.
On May 26, 2026, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit all-time highs following the Memorial Day holiday, led by a Micron rally. Hopes for a US-Iran peace deal fueled global risk-on sentiment. KOSPI surged past 8,100 intraday, with foreign investors finally turning to net buying after 12 straight days of selling.
On May 18, the Korean stock market staged a dramatic rebound, with the KOSPI climbing back to the 7,500 level after a sharp early morning drop. While strong rallies in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix pulled the index up, persistent foreign selling for nine straight sessions remains a concern. Global volatility is currently fueled by rising U.S.-Iran tensions and interest rate pressures, with investors now bracing for this week's Nvidia earnings release.
On Friday, May 15, South Korea's KOSPI achieved a historic intraday breakthrough of 8,000 points for the first time, but then plummeted over 6% to the 7,400s as foreign investors dumped positions aggressively. U.S. equities also retreated as surging Treasury yields and inflation concerns halted four consecutive record closes for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. Asia and Europe showed broad weakness, hit by uncertainty over the Trump-Xi Beijing summit outcome and soaring oil prices. As of May 17, markets remain cautious, reacting sharply to KOSPI adjustments and upcoming U.S. inflation data.
On May 15, U.S. stocks fell due to inflation fears and surging bond yields. The KOSPI hit a historic 8,000 points intraday but plunged to the 7,400 level following heavy foreign selling. Asian and European markets also weakened on inflation worries and disappointment over the Trump-Xi Beijing summit.
On May 15, 2026, the KOSPI briefly broke through the 8,000 mark for the first time in history before retreating to the 7,600s due to heavy foreign selling. Meanwhile, U.S. markets saw a strong rally with the Dow reclaiming 50,000 and the S&P 500 crossing 7,500. Markets are now watching the second day of the Trump-Xi Beijing summit. Key drivers include a 6% spike in April PPI, the confirmation of Kevin Warsh as the new Fed Chair, and Nvidia's CEO joining the U.S. delegation to China.
5월 14일 한국 증시는 개인 투자자들의 매수세가 외국인과 기관의 매도 물량을 받아내며 코스피가 7,894선까지 반등했습니다. 미국 증시는 5월 13일 도매물가(PPI)가 예상치를 상회했음에도 기술주가 강세를 보이며 S&P 500과 나스닥이 사상 최고치를 경신했습니다. 시장은 케빈 워시(Kevin Warsh) 연준 의장 인준 소식과 젠슨 황(Jensen Huang) 엔비디아 CEO의 중국 방문 동행 계획에 주목하고 있습니다.
On May 12 (US time), US markets posted mixed results as hotter-than-expected April CPI data and tech selloffs dragged down the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, while the Dow edged slightly higher. South Korea's KOSPI dropped over 2% to close at 7,643, down sharply from the previous day's record high of 7,822, as foreign investors sold off 5 trillion won worth of shares. Asian markets bounced back on May 13 buoyed by AI optimism, and European futures also climbed. Three key variables shaping global markets emerged: the US CPI shock, escalating Iran tensions (Trump's "unacceptable" peace deal comment), and persistent strength in the AI semiconductor sector.
On May 10, 2026, South Korea's stock market maintained record highs as domestic institutions' aggressive buying offset foreign investor selling. U.S. markets hit all-time peaks on May 8 (local time), with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting a sixth consecutive week of gains, fueled by stronger-than-expected April employment data. Asian markets showed overall resilience despite Middle East uncertainties.
On May 8, 2026, global stock markets were driven by two main forces: optimism over US-Iran ceasefire negotiations and strength in AI and semiconductor stocks. South Korea's KOSPI surpassed the 7,500 level intraday and set a new all-time high, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix leading a semiconductor rally. The US S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record closing prices for the second consecutive day, buoyed by strong AMD earnings and Middle East peace hopes. On May 7, as semiconductors took a breather, gains narrowed slightly.
The KOSPI hit a historic 7,500 milestone in early trading on May 7, 2026, but volatile swings followed as foreign investors shifted to a massive ₩6 trillion net sell-off. Meanwhile, U.S. markets continue to break records, with the S&P 500 crossing 7,300 on hopes of an Iran peace deal. Global markets are currently driven by potential ceasefires, AI infrastructure spending, and strong corporate earnings.
On May 6, 2026, the South Korean KOSPI index soared to a record high of 7,384.56, driven by over 3 trillion won in net foreign buying, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix surging by 15% and 10%, respectively. In the U.S., the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached new highs on May 5 as the tech rally continued. Hopes for progress in Iran negotiations and falling oil prices boosted risk appetite, lifting major global indices across the board.
On Friday, May 1st, U.S. markets saw the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reach all-time highs, marking five consecutive weeks of gains. Strong earnings from tech giants like Apple and falling oil prices fueled the rally, with the S&P 500 recording its best monthly gain since 2020. In South Korea, the KOSPI maintained record levels, pushing the total market capitalization past 6,000 trillion won ($4.1 trillion). This week, key variables include employment data, ongoing earnings reports, and risks from surging oil prices.
On May 1st—the first trading day of May—the U.S. S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit fresh all-time highs, buoyed by strong Apple earnings and robust AI investment momentum. South Korea's KOSPI, meanwhile, broke through 6,750 during intraday trading on April 30th—a historic peak—but tumbled to 6,598 as the hawkish Fed hold and surging crude oil prices took their toll, closing in mixed territory. Global markets wrapped the week absorbing both the afterglow of big tech earnings and the headwinds of the Fed's unchanged rate stance plus geopolitical uncertainty.
On Friday, May 1st, US markets hit new records as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at all-time highs, posting their best April performance since November 2020. Apple's strong earnings and surging AI investment drove the tech rally, while the Dow Jones slipped slightly, highlighting divergence across indices. Meanwhile, Korea's KOSPI briefly touched 6,750 intraday on April 30th—an all-time peak—but reversed sharply after the Federal Reserve's hawkish hold and oil prices vaulting past $126 per barrel. Foreign investors dumped roughly 1.5 trillion won, dragging the index down to 6,599 by close. European markets stayed strong, with the pan-European Stoxx 600 and Germany's DAX both notching their best monthly performance since January 2025.
On April 29, global markets retreated from record highs as concerns about OpenAI's slowing growth, a semiconductor sector plunge, and rising oil prices converged, pulling the three major U.S. indices down. South Korea's KOSPI held the 6,600 level, with retail and institutional buying providing a buffer against foreign investor selling pressure, while Asian markets showed a mixed picture blending tech rally enthusiasm with caution. This week marks a critical juncture with major tech earnings releases and a Federal Reserve (FOMC) meeting scheduled simultaneously, intensifying market tension.
On April 28, the Korean stock market saw the KOSPI hit another record high for the second straight day, closing at 6,641, driven by a rebound in SK Hynix to the 1.3 million won level. In the U.S., the S&P 500 and Nasdaq edged higher on Monday (April 27) to fresh highs, though investors remain cautious ahead of big tech earnings and the FOMC meeting. European markets also saw modest gains while keeping an eye on the stalled U.S.-Iran peace talks.
On April 27, 2026, the South Korean stock market hit a historic milestone with the KOSPI breaking the 6,600 mark during intraday trading, pushing the total market capitalization past 6 quadrillion won. The rally, led by semiconductors and AI, saw SK Hynix surge over 5%, reaching 17th in global market cap. Meanwhile, U.S. markets are bracing for a tense week ahead of "Magnificent 7" earnings and the FOMC meeting, while also digesting ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
On April 24th, U.S. markets hit fresh records as Nasdaq and S&P 500 rallied for a fourth consecutive week, powered by Intel's stellar earnings beat. South Korea's Kospi closed roughly flat around 6,470, while Kosdaq made history by breaking the 1,200 level for the first time in 25 years. Asian markets showed mixed performance amid U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations uncertainty and geopolitical headwinds, with semiconductor sector recovery and robust AI demand serving as the main drivers of the broader market rally.
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