[Digital Today reporter Sangyeop Oh] So-called group shares driven by defence, robotics and holding-company value-up themes have emerged as a vanguard to lead the KOSPI into the 5,000 era.

The Korea Exchange said the KOSPI ended up 63.92 points, or 1.32 percent, at 4,904.66, marking its first close above 4,900.

Hyundai Motor jumped 16.22 percent on the day to end at 480,000 won. Kia surged 12.18 percent to 175,500 won. Hyundai Mobis rose 5.10 percent, leading broader gains in the group’s shares.

Hyundai Motor also neared a market value of 100 trillion won, overtaking LG Energy Solution to rank third on the KOSPI by market capitalisation. The market analysed that expectations for Hyundai Motor Group to build a new mobility ecosystem combining robotics and AI were reflected in the share price.

Posco Group shares also gained after news of cooperation with Yaskawa Electric, a robotics specialist. Posco DX, which recently set a fresh 52-week high, ended flat on the day. Affiliates including Posco International, up 9.42 percent, and Posco Steelion, up 6.30 percent, drew buying on expectations for the introduction of robotic automation facilities.

Doosan Group also emerged as a beneficiary of the spread of the robotics theme. Doosan Robotics closed up 19.14 percent at 107,700 won. Doosan Enerbility rose 0.10 percent.

Hanwha Group extended gains as a plan for a corporate split disclosed on Jan. 14 fed expectations of easing a holding-company discount and improving business efficiency.

Hanwha Aerospace ended up 2.39 percent at 1,330,000 won, extending its run of record highs. An analysis that a new holding company led by Vice President Dongseon Kim will take charge of non-defence businesses such as robotics and food and beverage, raising the focus of continuing entities such as Hanwha Aerospace on defence businesses, spurred buying.

Hanwha Galleria, which had hit the daily limit up for two consecutive sessions, fell 1.12 percent. Its preferred shares, Hanwha Galleria 우, hit the daily limit up again and ended with a fourth straight session at the limit.

Strength in group shares was also confirmed in exchange-traded fund (ETF) returns. Since the start of the year, many group-share related themes ranked near the top among domestic equity ETFs by performance.

Mirae Asset Management’s TIGER Hyundai Motor Group+Fundamental ranked second overall with a 37.38 percent return. Shinhan Asset Management’s SOL Auto TOP3 Plus, which has a high weighting in Hyundai Motor Group, ranked fifth with 35.09 percent, while Hanwha Asset Management’s PLUS Hanwha Group Shares ranked sixth with 34.23 percent.

Other products that outperformed single-stock picks followed, including KB Asset Management’s RISE Top 5 Group Shares and Korea Investment Management’s ACE Posco Group Focus.

An official in the financial investment industry said demand is concentrating on group shares with clear momentum such as defence, robotics and holding-company value-up themes. The official said the contribution of these group shares, not just semiconductors, was absolute as the KOSPI broke above 4,900.