[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 2nd, both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ indices closed higher. Positive news related to the COVID-19 vaccine and strong U.S. economic indicators acted as the driving forces behind the rise. In particular, it is also analyzed that the listing of SK Biopharm on the Korea Exchange led to a simultaneous rise in large pharmaceutical and bio stocks, which supported the index.
On this day, the KOSPI closed at 2,135.37, up 1.36% from the previous trading day.
Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics closed at 52,900 KRW, up 0.57% from the previous day, while SK Hynix closed at 84,400 KRW, down 1.06%. Notably, Samsung Biologics (4.52%) and Celltrion (3.70%) showed remarkable gains.
In the KOSDAQ market, pharmaceutical and bio-related stocks such as Celltrion Healthcare (4.39%) and Celltrion Pharm (2.31%) showed strength, which is analyzed to have been influenced by the listing of SK Biopharm on that day.
SK Biopharm attracted strong investor interest by achieving the so-called 'ttasang'?opening at twice the public offering price and then hitting the upper price limit?right from its first day of listing. SK Biopharm's opening price was 98,000 KRW, twice the public offering price of 49,000 KRW. Shortly after the market opened, it immediately hit the upper price limit, rising to 127,000 KRW.
The KOSDAQ index closed at 742.55, up 2.06% from the previous day, with strong performances from Celltrion Healthcare and Celltrion Pharm as well as Pearl Abyss (3.26%), Studio Dragon (7.41%), and Hugel (3.42%).
In terms of trading volume, in the Korea Exchange market, individuals and foreigners sold net amounts of 209.9 billion KRW and 18.4 billion KRW respectively, while institutions bought a net amount of 214.8 billion KRW. In the KOSDAQ market, individuals sold a net amount of 182.9 billion KRW, whereas foreigners and institutions bought net amounts of 147.9 billion KRW and 31.3 billion KRW respectively.
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