KOSDAQ Surges 5.88% as AI and Renewable Energy Themes Fuel Broad Rally

Korean equities closed sharply higher on August 4, 2026, with the KOSDAQ soaring 5.88% to 780.72, outpacing the KOSPI's 1.62% gain to 6,358.95. The session was marked by strong institutional buying on the KOSDAQ and a thematic rush into AI data centers and renewable energy stocks, overshadowing foreign net selling on the KOSPI.

SK eternix (475150) +19.87%

SK eternix surged 19.87%, propelled by a confluence of government policy expectations and sector momentum. The rally was primarily fueled by anticipation surrounding the government's new renewable energy initiatives, alongside specific optimism for solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) and the US supply chain [3][5]. The stock also benefited from a broader uptrend in the renewable energy sector, rising in tandem with peers like HD Hyundai Energy Solutions [4]. This sector-wide strength helped the stock reclaim the 50,000 won level during the session [6].

SKTelecom (017670) +11.46%

SK Telecom jumped 11.46%, driven by a surge of AI-related optimism. A primary catalyst was the news that the company's proprietary AI foundation model, 'Dokpamo', has entered its second phase of evaluation, raising expectations for its commercial potential [7][9]. This was compounded by the official launch of its AI Data Center (AIDC), which investors view as a key growth driver [8]. Additionally, market sentiment was buoyed by hopes that the company will benefit from government-led AI projects [10].

GnCenergy Co., Ltd. (119850) +21.90%

GnCenergy soared 21.90% following a significant contract win that underscores its role in the AI infrastructure buildout. The primary driver was the announcement of a 75.5 billion won contract to supply emergency power generators for KT's data center in Gunsan [13][15][16]. This follows a series of data center generator orders, highlighting a strong growth momentum linked to the trend of larger-scale AIDCs [12][17]. The consecutive order wins are reinforcing the company's growth narrative for 2027 and beyond [12].

GS Engineering & Construction Corp (006360) +18.56%

GS E&C rallied 18.56% as market focus shifted to its massive data center project, overshadowing recent earnings concerns. The primary catalyst was heightened anticipation for the 12 trillion won East Sea data center development, which is being viewed as a potential 'jackpot' and a trigger for a corporate revaluation [20]. This AI data center project is now seen as a core engine that could offset the company's weak second-quarter performance, redirecting investor focus toward future growth prospects [18].

LIG Defense&Aerospace (079550) +14.59%

LIG Defense & Aerospace climbed 14.59%, buoyed by sustained foreign investor interest. The primary driver was a five-day consecutive net buying streak by foreign investors, which significantly boosted market sentiment and buying pressure [21]. The stock's sharp intraday gain of over 13% likely triggered additional momentum-based buying, adding to the upward move [24]. This rally came after a period of sideways movement and a slight dip the previous day, which may have created a technical rebound opportunity [22][23].

Sources

1. SK이터닉스, 신재생에너지 성장에 주목…주가 재도약 가능성은 - s-d.kr — s-d.kr · 2026-08-04
2. SK이터닉스 주가, 8월 4일 장중 54,700원 17.51% 상승 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-04
3. [특징주] 정책 기대에 태양광주 강세…SK이터닉스 18% 급등 - 조선비즈 — Chosunbiz · 2026-08-04
4. 신재생에너지株 강세…SK이터닉스ㆍHD현대에너지솔루션 14~18% 상승 — 이코노뉴스 · 2026-08-04
5. [특징주] SK이터닉스 22%↑…태양광株, PPA·美 공급망 기대에 강세 — 메트로신문 · 2026-08-04
6. [속보] SK이터닉스 주가 급등하며 5만원선 회복…양대지수 강세 흐름 — CBC뉴스 · 2026-08-04
7. SK텔레콤 주가 장중 10%대 상승, 독자AI파운데이션모델·실적 발표 기대 반영 — 비즈니스포스트 · 2026-08-04
8. SK텔레콤, AIDC 출범에 주가 11% 급등 — 매일신문 · 2026-08-04
9. [특징주] SK텔레콤, '독파모' 2차 평가 돌입.. 9%대 '강세' - g-enews.com — g-enews.com · 2026-08-04
10. SK텔레콤, 정부 AI 프로젝트 기대감에 10% 급등세 — 2news.co.kr · 2026-08-04
11. SK텔레콤, IR 기대감에 소폭 상승 마감 : 기업주식정보 — 재경일보 · 2026-08-03
12. [종목 포커스] 지엔씨에너지, AIDC 대형화로 수주 확대…2027년 성장 재가속? — 데일리인베스트 · 2026-08-02
13. [공시 Pick] 지엔씨에너지, KT와 755억원 데이터센터 계약… 15%대 급등 — 뉴스투데이 · 2026-08-03
14. 지엔씨에너지 주가, 급등세... 왜? — 금강일보 · 2026-08-04
15. 지엔씨에너지, 군산 AI 데이터센터에 755억원 비상발전기 공급…주가도 14%대 '껑충' — 핀포인트뉴스 · 2026-08-03
16. 지엔씨에너지, KT 데이터센터 공급계약에 17%대 강세 — 매일신문 · 2026-08-03
17. [공시 Pick] 지엔씨에너지, 데이터센터 발전기 수주 릴레이에 20%대 주가 급등 — 뉴스투데이 · 2026-08-04
18. 2분기 부진 GS건설…주가 향방은 AI데이터센터에[주末머니] — v.daum.net · 2026-08-02
19. GS건설 주가, 8월 4일 장중 26,300원 8.45% 상승 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-04
20. “탄탄한 주택 + 12조 동해 데이터센터 잭팟…GS건설, 확실해진 재평가 신호탄” — 뉴스퀘스트 · 2026-08-03
21. [장중수급포착] LIG디펜스앤에어로스페이스, 외국인 5일 연속 순매수행진... 주가 +8.87% — 뉴스핌 · 2026-08-04
22. LIG디펜스앤에어로스페이스, 계약 불확실성·실적 앞두고 주가 하락 : 기업주식정보 — 재경일보 · 2026-08-03
23. LIG디펜스앤에어로스페이스, 공시 속 횡보 마감… 관망세 짙어져 : 기업주식정보 — 재경일보 · 2026-08-03
24. LIG디펜스앤에어로스페이스 주가, 8월 4일 장중 791,000원 13.16% 상승 — 중앙이코노미뉴스 · 2026-08-04

This is market commentary, not investment advice.