Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) Surges 9.91%, KOSPI Hits Record 7,844 on Robot-AI Catalyst

South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index closed at a record 7,844.01 on May 13, rising 200.86 points (+2.63%) to set a new all-time high — the second record close in three trading days after the 7,822 close on May 11. The session's standout performer was Hyundai Motor (005380.KS), which surged 9.91% to KRW 710,000, clearing the 8% single-session threshold as robotics expectations were re-rated across the Hyundai Motor Group.

Hyundai Mobis jumped 18.43%, and Hyundai AutoEver rose 13.66%. The catalyst: Hyundai Motor Group's robotics pipeline — including its Boston Dynamics division — was highlighted against an intensifying global AI-and-automation investment cycle. Additional momentum came from a report that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang boarded a China-bound flight, reviving semiconductor and AI investment sentiment.

SK Hynix (000660.KS) gained 7.68% to KRW 1,976,000, briefly touching 1,990,000 intraday. Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) added 1.79% to KRW 284,000. Samsung Electro-Mechanics climbed 7.41% and Kia (000270.KS) rose 6.65% in sympathy with the Hyundai group revaluation.

Domestic participation was the decisive factor. Retail investors net-bought KRW 1.887 trillion and institutions added KRW 1.687 trillion, totaling KRW 3.574 trillion in combined domestic support — enough to absorb roughly KRW 4 trillion in foreign net sales. The won-dollar rate edged up 0.7 won to KRW 1,490.6, staying below the KRW 1,500 level. KOSDAQ declined 0.20% to 1,176.93.

The KOSPI has risen more than 10% in two weeks, driven by global AI optimism, U.S.-China trade progress signals, and easing Iran energy shock pressures. Key catalysts to watch: U.S.-China trade deal specifics and Samsung Electronics' Q2 guidance.

Not investment advice. Verify all figures with primary sources before acting.