As the KOSPI continues to hit record highs day after day since the start of the year, about 1 in 10 listed stocks has posted a 52-week high.

The Korea Exchange said on Jan. 18 that a total of 117 stocks on the main board recorded intraday 52-week highs through Jan. 16 this month.

That equals 13 percent of all KOSPI-listed issues currently traded, or 929 stocks.

Large South Korean chipmakers rose across the board, setting fresh 52-week highs on expectations of stronger global demand for artificial intelligence and news of record results from Taiwan chipmaker TSMC.

Samsung Electronics climbed as high as 149,500 won intraday on Jan. 16, marking a 52-week high and an all-time high. Samsung Electronics preferred shares also rose to 111,500 won the same day, hitting a 52-week high.

SK Hynix rose as high as 788,000 won intraday on Jan. 8, marking a 52-week high and an all-time high.

As trading value surged in the market rally, brokerage shares also joined the list of stocks hitting record highs on expectations of benefits.

Mirae Asset Securities on Jan. 16 hit 32,600 won and Kiwoom Securities on Jan. 15 hit 338,000 won, setting new 52-week highs this month.

Hyundai Motor also set a 52-week high at 426,500 won on Jan. 16 as robotics momentum highlighted at CES, the world's biggest IT and home appliance trade show, continued. Group shares also posted 52-week highs, including Kia at 159,500 won on Jan. 16 and Hyundai Mobis at 468,500 won on Jan. 13.

As geopolitical tensions grew on the Venezuela situation and the possibility of a U.S. attack on Iran, defence stocks also set new 52-week highs, including Hanwha Aerospace at 1,329,000 won and Hanwha Systems at 99,300 won on Jan. 15.

The KOSPI has risen for 11 straight sessions this month and is setting new all-time highs day after day.

The rise reflects a combination of gains in chipmakers on expectations of increased global AI demand and strength in auto and robot shares driven by momentum from CES.

On Jan. 16, the KOSPI broke above 4,800 for the first time, moving closer to an era of a 5,000-point KOSPI.

In the securities industry, there is also an atmosphere of growing expectations that the index could reach 5,000 as early as this month.

With legislative discussions moving faster on the government's third revision of the Commercial Act, centred on making share buyback cancellations mandatory, there is a suggestion that investors should focus on holding companies and brokerage shares.

NH Investment & Securities researcher Jung-hwan Na said that the news that the ruling party would submit the third Commercial Act revision to the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee next week could serve as stock price momentum for holding companies and brokerages with high proportions of treasury shares.

Uncertainty remains as the U.S. Supreme Court has delayed its ruling on the legality of tariffs under the Trump administration, while concerns over a military clash between the United States and Iran are cited as downside factors for share prices.

There is also a suggestion that investors should refrain from chasing leading shares, given the heavy short-term price burden following the recent sharp rise in the KOSPI.

Daishin Securities researcher Kyung-min Lee said market sensitivity to issues could rise as the KOSPI's valuation burden increases. He said the medium- to long-term earnings direction for leading sectors such as semiconductors, defence, shipbuilding and holding companies remains solid, but he advised increasing exposure on pullbacks during rotation rather than chasing rallies.

[Yonhap News Agency]