Semiconductor Stocks Rise, KOSPI Up 0.6% Early in Trading Session

The KOSPI is showing a strong upward trend in the early session, supported by gains in the semiconductor sector.

At 9:15 a.m. on the 16th, the KOSPI stood at 2,496.55, up 0.69% (17.20 points) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 2,494.40, up 0.61% (15.05 points) from the previous day, and has continued its upward momentum. Looking at investor trends, foreigners were net buyers, purchasing stocks worth 66.5 billion KRW. Individuals and institutions sold stocks worth 51.3 billion KRW and 17 billion KRW, respectively.

In the early session, semiconductor stocks showed strength, helping the domestic market maintain its upward trend. Last night in the U.S. market, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose more than 2.6%, driven by news of Western Digital's merger with Kioxia and strong AI (artificial intelligence) demand for Micron, raising expectations for industry improvement. Currently, Samsung Electronics is up 1.71% at 65,600 KRW, and SK Hynix has risen 3.01%.

Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said, "Recently, semiconductor stocks like Samsung Electronics have been trapped in a trading range, and growing concerns about delayed industry recovery have weighed on their prices. However, the strong performance of the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index is expected to improve investor sentiment toward semiconductor stocks."

Among other large-cap stocks, LG Energy Solution (1.1%), Samsung Biologics (0.51%), LG Chem (2.17%), and Samsung SDI (1.48%) rose, while Hyundai Motor (-1.44%), Kia (-1.22%), and NAVER (-0.24%) declined.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is up 0.77% (6.27 points) at 820.80. The KOSDAQ opened at 818.96, up 0.54% (4.43 points) from the previous day, and has maintained its upward trend. Currently, individuals and institutions have purchased stocks worth 36.8 billion KRW and 8.8 billion KRW, respectively, while foreigners have sold stocks worth 47.2 billion KRW.

Among the top market cap stocks, EcoPro and EcoPro BM rose 5.18% and 2.46%, respectively. JYP Ent. surged 14.45%, and Celltrion Healthcare (0.27%), L&F (0.2%), Celltrion Pharm (1.35%), Kakao Games (0.39%), and Pearl Abyss (0.22%) also increased. On the other hand, Osstem Implant fell 0.05%.