KOSPI Starts Higher... Samsung Electronics and Hynix Semiconductor Stocks 'Taking a Breather'

On the 5th, the domestic stock market started higher. This is interpreted as a recovery in investor sentiment due to relief over economic prospects following the strong U.S. employment data released on the 2nd.

As of 9:08 a.m. that day, the KOSPI index was at 2611.45, up 10.09 points (0.39%) from the previous session.

Among the top market capitalization groups in the Korea Exchange, semiconductor-related stocks such as Samsung Electronics (-0.28%) and SK Hynix (-0.73%) showed slight declines. On the other hand, secondary battery-related stocks like LG Energy Solution (0.68%), LG Chem (0.69%), and Samsung SDI (0.56%) were slightly up.

Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said, "The KOSPI entered the 2600-point range for the first time in about a year based on the closing price on the 2nd, and it has again broken above the 200-week moving average, which had acted as a long-term resistance line. This price momentum is expected to continue this week." However, she added, "Due to the upcoming simultaneous expiration of domestic futures and options on the 8th, there is a need to prepare for short-term increased price volatility as foreign and institutional investors' futures and spot supply and demand may change rapidly."

Regarding semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which have recently shown a clear upward trend, she forecasted, "Although there is a possibility of a price pullback due to profit-taking from the recent sharp rise in these stocks, the expectation that these industries have passed their bottom and the increasing net buying by foreigners suggest that the downside rigidity will not be compromised."

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 867.66, down 0.40 points (0.05%). It showed mixed trends, rising slightly after the opening but then falling again. Individual investors were net buyers with 99.2 billion won, while foreigners and institutions sold 82.9 billion won and 12.3 billion won respectively.

The top market capitalization group in KOSDAQ also showed mixed price movements. EcoPro BM (0.39%) and EcoPro (0.53%) rose slightly, while Celltrion Healthcare (-1.30%) and JYP Ent. (-2.80%) declined.

Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate was at 1310.80 won, up 0.80 won (0.06%) from the previous session.