Market sees historic highs with 11 stocks surpassing 1 million won, including Samsung Electric and SK Square
Category: Business
On May 15, 2026, the KOSPI index reached an all-time high, breaking through the 8000-point mark for the first time in history, much to the excitement of investors. As the index continues its remarkable ascent, the number of stocks classified as 'Hwangjeju' or 'Emperor Stocks'—those with prices exceeding 1 million won—has also surged to a record 11, marking a new milestone in South Korea's stock market.
The question on many investors' minds is: what factors are driving this surge, and which companies are positioned to join the ranks of these high-value stocks?
According to the Korea Exchange, as of May 15, 2026, there are 11 stocks listed on the KOSPI that have surpassed the 1 million won threshold. This figure is the highest in the history of the index. Leading the pack is Hyosung Heavy Industries, whose stock price reached 374,500 won, followed by SK Hynix at 181,900 won, Doosan at 161,400 won, and Samyang Foods at 144,400 won. Other notable mentions include Korea Zinc at 142,600 won, Samsung Biologics at 141,900 won, Hanwha Aerospace at 121,600 won, HD Hyundai Electric at 117,900 won, SK Square at 109,800 won, Taekwang Industrial at 101,100 won, and finally, Samsung Electric, which closed at 1,010,000 won on May 13, 2026.
This remarkable increase in high-value stocks coincided with the KOSPI's first breakthrough of the 7000-point level on May 6, 2026, followed by the historic 8000-point milestone just nine trading days later. The market's bullish momentum has been fueled by a surge in demand for high-quality stocks across various sectors, including semiconductors, power equipment, defense, biotechnology, and food and beverage.
In a notable development this month, Samsung Electric and SK Square have officially entered the exclusive club of Hwangjeju stocks. Samsung Electric achieved this status by closing at 1,029,000 won, marking a 24% increase since the end of April when its stock was valued at 832,000 won. This surge can be attributed to the company's strong first-quarter performance, which exceeded market expectations, coupled with a projected increase in demand for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) used in AI servers.
Similarly, SK Square, which is the largest shareholder of SK Hynix, saw its stock price rise to 1,089,000 won on May 6, 2026. The optimism surrounding the semiconductor industry's recovery has driven investor interest, leading to a surge in SK Square's stock as well.
As the market continues to evolve, attention is shifting toward potential new entrants into the Hwangjeju category. Currently, LIG Defense and Aerospace (LIG D&A) is the closest contender, closing at 834,000 won on May 15, 2026. The heightened demand for missile systems, particularly the Cheongung-II, following geopolitical tensions in Iran, has sparked investor interest, leading to a revised average target price of 1,078,824 won for LIG D&A, up 29% from the previous estimate of 835,588 won.
LG Innotek is also being closely watched, with its stock price at 732,000 won. Analysts expect improved performance based on increased production from North American clients, prompting some firms to raise their target prices for LG Innotek to as high as 1 million won. SK Securities recently increased its target price for LG Innotek to 1 million won, citing the company's attractive valuation among large-cap IT stocks.
Hyundai Motor Company is gaining traction as well, with its stock price surpassing 770,000 won during trading on May 15, 2026. The excitement surrounding Hyundai's robotics division, particularly after Boston Dynamics showcased the capabilities of its humanoid robot Atlas, has boosted investor sentiment. Yu Jin Investment & Securities has set a target price of 1 million won for Hyundai, highlighting the anticipated growth driven by the commercialization of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and the introduction of new humanoid robots.
The increase in Hwangjeju stocks is not merely a reflection of rising prices but rather a broader reassessment of market leadership. As the KOSPI rallies past 8000 points, analysts believe that the inflow of capital into stocks with strong earnings and growth narratives is indicative of a larger trend. A representative from the securities industry noted, "During the KOSPI 8000 rally, stocks with solid performance and growth stories in sectors such as semiconductors, power equipment, defense, and robotics have attracted substantial investment. Nevertheless, as stock prices rise, it becomes increasingly important to assess whether upcoming candidates for Hwangjeju status can also deliver upward revisions in earnings estimates."
As the KOSPI continues its upward momentum, investors will follow closely closely to see which companies can maintain their growth trajectories and potentially join the ranks of South Korea's elite stocks. With the market showing no signs of slowing down, the next few months will be key in determining the future of these rising stars.