KOSPI Uptrend... Net Buying by Foreigners and Institutions

On the 13th, dealers are working in the Hana Bank dealing room in Euljiro, Seoul, where the KOSPI index showed an early morning upward trend. The index started at 3,253.24, up 6.77 points (0.21%). Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The stock market continues its upward trend on the afternoon of the 13th. While individual investors are offloading shares to realize profits, institutions and foreigners are maintaining net purchases.

As of 1:55 PM, the KOSPI is up 0.74% at 3,270.57. Amid individual investors' net selling of 456.1 billion KRW to realize gains, institutions and foreigners are net buying 308.4 billion KRW and 170.6 billion KRW respectively. Among all listed stocks, 611 are rising, 277 are falling, and 74 remain unchanged.

Looking at the top market capitalization stocks, the perennial leader Samsung Electronics is striving to break into the 80,000 KRW range. Its current price is 79,900 KRW, up 0.25%. SK Hynix is trading at 123,500 KRW, up 2.92%.

NAVER is fiercely competing for the third spot in market capitalization. Currently ranked fourth, NAVER's stock price is up 4.06% at 435,500 KRW, with a market cap of 71.7831 trillion KRW. Meanwhile, Kakao, currently third, is down 0.31% at 161,500 KRW, with a market cap of 71.7803 trillion KRW.

By sector, distribution, services, finance, and medical precision industries are showing gains in the 1% range. In distribution, Hanse MK (12,200 KRW per share) is up 21.39%, iMarketKorea (11,900 KRW) is up 14.42%, and Inbiogen (5,030 KRW) has risen 12.78%, standing out.

The KOSDAQ continues a mild upward trend, trading at 1,040.76, up 0.59% from the previous day. While individuals and institutions are net sellers of 52.2 billion KRW and 19.1 billion KRW respectively, foreigners are net buyers of 107 billion KRW.

Among the top market cap stocks, Celltrion Healthcare (112,300 KRW) rose 0.45%, and Kakao Games (82,400 KRW) increased about 3%. Conversely, Celltrion Pharm and Pearl Abyss fell 1.52% and 1.88%, respectively.

By sector, paper and wood products and IT components jumped 3.62% and 3.41%, respectively. Entertainment (2.44%), chemicals (1.53%), construction (1.34%), and metals (1.28%) also showed notable gains.

Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, analyzed, "The KOSPI is attempting to stabilize above the 3,270 level, continuing yesterday’s rebound with net buying by foreigners in cash and futures markets. The strong U.S. stock market and the decline in the won-dollar exchange rate yesterday eased foreign investor supply concerns. Expectations for Q2 earnings are rising, and China’s June export-import data showed better-than-expected results, positively influencing investor sentiment."