The Rebounding KOSPI Closes Higher, Regaining the 3100 Level

KOSDAQ Rises Over 2%... Approaching the 980 Level

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[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] The KOSPI, which had faltered during the session, rebounded to reclaim the 3100 level and closed higher after three trading days.

On the 20th, the KOSPI closed at 3144.55, up 0.71% (21.89 points) from the previous day. It opened higher at 3115.04 but turned downward during the morning session, falling below the 3100 mark. Around 10:41 AM, it dropped to 3077.15, down 0.50% from the previous day. After a brief rise in the morning, it resumed its decline, dipping to 3083.60 around 2 PM. Thereafter, it maintained an upward trend until the close, settling back above 3100.

In the KOSPI market that day, individual investors were net buyers of 1.4359 trillion KRW. Foreigners and institutions were net sellers of 235.9 billion KRW and 1.2342 trillion KRW, respectively.

Many sectors posted gains. The top performers included Medical Precision (3.30%), Non-metallic Minerals (1.98%), Machinery (1.49%), Textiles & Apparel (1.21%), and Chemicals (1.03%). Insurance (-1.33%), Securities (-0.89%), and Banking (-0.89%) sectors declined.

Half of the top 10 market capitalization stocks closed higher. Kia Motors led with a 5.0% increase, followed by Samsung SDI (1.6%), Kakao (0.9%), LG Chem (0.3%), and Samsung Electronics (0.2%). Hyundai Motor (-0.9%), Celltrion (-0.4%), and Samsung Biologics (-0.1%) fell. SK Hynix and NAVER remained flat.

The KOSDAQ closed at 977.66, up 2.08% (19.91 points) from the previous day. Unlike the KOSPI, it showed steady gains from the start of the session. It opened at 959.52, up 0.18% from the previous day, and steadily climbed to close above 970 for the first time since the 14th.

Strong buying by individuals and institutions drove the index. They were net buyers of 105.8 billion KRW and 381.2 billion KRW, respectively. Meanwhile, foreigners were net sellers of 527.2 billion KRW.

Almost all sectors rose. The Entertainment & Culture sector posted the largest gain at 5.74%, followed by Semiconductors (4.38%), IT Hardware (3.04%), and Internet (2.81%). Only Construction (-0.51%) and Transportation (-0.22%) sectors declined.

Most of the top 10 market cap stocks rose. SK Materials led with an 8.5% increase, followed by Seegene (5.5%), Alteogen (3.3%), Pearl Abyss (2.2%), HLB (2.0%), Kakao Games (1.5%), EcoPro BM (1.4%), CJ ENM (0.9%), and Celltrion Healthcare (0.6%). Celltrion Pharm was the only stock to fall, down 0.5%.