KOSPI to exceed 4,500 in Q1; Record-High $709.7 Billion Exports! Sell an ICE Car and Buy an EV for an Extra 1 Million Won Subsidy... There Are Such Loopholes Too | 3PRO TV Kwon Soon-woo Reporting Team Lead

Summary

Kwon Soon-woo of 3PRO TV reviews the first trading day of 2026, focusing on a Korean fund-manager survey that sees KOSPI reaching 4,500 in Q1 and semiconductors leading the market. He highlights a projected multi-quarter memory upcycle, favorable themes in robotics, aerospace, biotech, and defense, and Samsung's Galaxy S26 price freeze. The show also covers record $709.7 billion Korean exports, with semiconductors strong but many non-AI export sectors weak, and new EV subsidy rules that favor high-density Korean batteries.

• Korean fund managers expect KOSPI to reach 4,500 in Q1 and favor domestic equities over reducing exposure.
• Semiconductors are the top expected 2026 leadership sector, while AI ex-semiconductors is viewed with divided conviction.
• Morgan Stanley sees the memory upcycle lasting more than 10 quarters, with AI inference demand and rising DRAM prices supporting Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron.
• Robotics, aerospace/space, KOSDAQ biotech, and defense are highlighted as key Korean themes for 2026.
• Samsung is freezing Galaxy S26 prices to pursue smartphone share gains despite higher costs.
• Korea's record $709.7 billion exports were led by semiconductors, but display, auto parts, chemicals, steel, textiles, and batteries remain structurally weak.
• New EV subsidy rules preserve support and add battery energy-density and smart-charging incentives that favor Korean battery makers.