KOSPI Mixed Continues... Paper and Pharmaceutical Industries on the Rise

On the 17th, dealers are working in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Euljiro, Seoul. On this day, the KOSPI index opened at 2603.58, up 7.00 points (0.27%) from the previous trading day. The won-dollar exchange rate started at 1280 won, down 4.1 won. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] On the 25th, the stock market showed mixed trends in the early session but maintained an upward trend in the morning.

As of 10:30 AM, the KOSPI is at 2624.62, up 0.72% from the previous close. While individual investors who had been net buyers in the early session are now realizing profits, only institutions are continuing net purchases. Foreign investors are also selling today. At this time, individuals and foreigners show net selling intentions of 74.1 billion KRW and 73.2 billion KRW respectively, while institutions show net buying intentions of 144.4 billion KRW.

Among all stocks, 562 are rising. Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Biologics is up more than 3% (3.59%) compared to the previous close. The perennial leader Samsung Electronics rose 0.30%, while SK Hynix recorded a decline of more than 2% (-2.62%). LG Energy Solution also fell by 0.46%.

Due to the rise in the price of pulp, one of the raw materials, the paper and wood sector is showing strength today (2.97%). Stocks such as Moorim Paper (22.83%) and Paper Korea (9.02%) are leading the sector's gains. The pharmaceutical sector (2.61%) is also rising amid news of the spread of monkeypox, and construction (1.49%), finance (1.21%), and chemicals (1.119%) sectors are also showing significant gains.

The KOSDAQ, like the KOSPI, fluctuated in the early session but has turned upward. At this time, it is at 870.97, up 0.68% from the previous close. Individual investors are supporting the index with net buying intentions of 77.9 billion KRW. Foreigners and institutions show net selling intentions of 62.2 billion KRW and 9.7 billion KRW respectively. Among the top market cap stocks, Celltrion Healthcare (3.99%) and HLB (4.53%) are strong.

Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said, "The domestic stock market today will also be affected by the sharp decline in U.S. growth and technology stocks. Although volatility will increase from the early session, buying interest will flow in during the session mainly in stocks that had excessive declines in the previous trading day, showing a trend of raising the bottom."