What is the KOSPI index?

The KOSPI is an index of all stocks traded on the Korean Stock Exchange. It is the representative stock market index of South Korea, like the Dow Jones Industrial Average or S&P 500 in the United States.

Where have you heard about the KOSPI index?

The KOSPI is one of the most widely tracked stock market indices in Asia, and is made up of some companies you may be familiar with. Top global brands listed include Hyundai and Samsung, whose stock price was memorably affected by the Galaxy Note 7 recall.

What you need to know about the KOSPI index.

In full, KOSPI stands for the Korea Composite Stock Price Index. It’s market cap weighted, which means that firms with the largest market value have the greatest influence on price movements. The most well-known KOSPI index is the KOSPI 200, which is the 200 largest publicly-traded companies on the Korean Exchange. This index is seen as an indicator of the movements of the Korean stock market. It is also used to benchmark the performance of investors and funds in the Korean market.

The KOSPI was introduced in 1983 with a base value of 100. On July 24 2007, it broke the 2,000 barrier for the first time.

The Korea Exchange is one of the largest stock market exchanges in Asia, with more than 2,000 companies listed on it.

Find out more about the KOSPI index.

Read our definition of the Korea Exchange to find out more about the South Korean stock market.