South Korea's Stock Market Surges on July 15, With 75.26% of KOSPI Stocks Rising Amid Lower U.S. Inflation

According to Korea Exchange data, on July 15, South Korea's stock market recorded broad-based gains as investor sentiment improved. Of the 946 KOSPI-listed stocks, 712 advanced, representing a 75.26% rise ratio, while the KOSDAQ saw 1,465 of 1,821 issues gain 80.45%. The rally was driven by cooler-than-expected U.S. inflation data: the June consumer price index came in at 3.5% year-over-year (below the 3.8% forecast) and core CPI at 2.6% (below the 2.8% forecast), easing concerns over further U.S. rate hikes.

Semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix led the advance, with buying flows broadening into IT hardware, defense, biotech, and secondary battery stocks. Among defense-related stocks, LIG Defense & Aerospace jumped 13.8%, while securities firms including Samsung Securities (up 9.0%) and Korea Financial Group (up 8.6%) also rallied on expectations of improved trading volumes and commissions.