▲ A financial data screen in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul on April 26, 2026, shows the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index. (Yonhap)

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(LEAD) Seoul stocks close at a new record high amid AI-led tech rally

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SEOUL, April 27 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks shattered a new record Monday, to close at a fresh high, boosted by an artificial intelligence (AI)-led chip and power equipment rally. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.

The high also comes ahead of upcoming earnings releases from global big tech giants.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 139.4 points, or 2.15 percent, to 6,615.03.

The KOSPI's new high came just two trading days after its previous high on Thursday, when it hit 6,475.81.

Trade volume was heavy at 835.6 million shares worth 33 trillion won (US$22.4 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 495 to 357.

Foreigners and institutional investors were net buyers, purchasing a combined net 1.99 trillion won worth of equities. Retail investors offloaded a net 1.97 trillion won.

The record high closing comes amid growing anticipation over corporate earnings, amid strong earnings from major tech companies in the AI supply chain, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst from Daishin Securities, said.

"Of them, we are seeing anticipation over companies related to AI data centers, particularly those in the AI value chain, such as semiconductor and power equipment companies," Lee added.

Five of the Magnificent Seven (M7) companies are expected to release first quarter earnings this week, including Apple, Alphabet and Microsoft.

Geopolitical uncertainties from the Middle East, which had been weighing on the local market, appear to be easing, the analyst added.

In Seoul, most large cap shares closed higher, led by chips and power equipment companies.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics added 2.28 percent to 224,500 won, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix advanced 5.73 percent to 1,292,000 won.

The two semiconductor giants were boosted by strong first-quarter earnings from Intel, which beat analyst expectations.

Power equipment providers were also bullish, with LS Electric jumping 12 percent to 255,500 won and Hyosung Heavy Industries vaulting 10.95 percent to 3,941,000 won.

In contrast, battery shares lost ground on profit-taking.

LG Energy Solution fell 3.53 percent to 464,000 won, and Samsung SDI inched down 0.94 percent to 635,000 won.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,472.5 won against the U.S. dollar, up 12 won from the previous session.

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