Amid buying pressure from foreigners and institutions, secondary battery-related stocks showed strength, leading the KOSPI index to close higher on the 20th.
On the day, the KOSPI index closed at 2491.20, up 21.35 points (0.86%) from the previous session. The index opened at 2464.72, down 5.13 points (-0.21%), but quickly rebounded and closed above the 2490 level. Foreigners and institutions were net buyers of 100.4 billion KRW and 437.8 billion KRW respectively, while individuals sold off 539.8 billion KRW.
Among the top market capitalization stocks, POSCO Future M (5.07%), Samsung SDI (3.72%), SK Innovation (3.31%), LG Energy Solution (2.78%), LG Chem (1.96%), and POSCO Holdings (1.83%) rose. On the other hand, Hyundai Mobis (-1.74%), KB Financial (-1.28%), Kia (-0.94%), and Samsung C&T (-0.85%) declined.
By sector, machinery (2.38%), steel and metals (1.47%), chemicals (1.25%), and electrical and electronics (1.18%) rose in order. Conversely, textiles and apparel (-0.75%), medical precision (-0.55%), securities (-0.28%), and food and beverages (-0.14%) sectors fell.
The KOSDAQ index closed at 813.08, up 14.02 points (1.75%) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ opened at 797.83, down 1.23 points (-0.15%), but soon gained upward momentum. Foreigners and institutions bought approximately 170.9 billion KRW and 53.3 billion KRW respectively, while individuals were net sellers of 214.2 billion KRW.
Among the top market capitalization stocks, EcoPro (7.22%), EcoPro BM (5.46%), Rainbow Robotics (3.78%), Celltrion Pharm (3.04%), and Ligno Industrial (2.88%) rose. Meanwhile, ISC (-2.85%), Alteogen (-1.88%), Classys (-1.02%), and SM (-0.33%) declined.
Researchers Kim Seok-hwan and Park Su-jin from Mirae Asset Securities said, "Secondary battery, semiconductor, and machinery sectors were strong. Expectations of the end of US interest rate hikes led to a decline in government bond yields, and the dollar weakened, restoring risk appetite across Asian stock markets." They added, "The machinery sector was also strong. With the implementation of the revised Robot Promotion Act, the use of robots in logistics delivery, patrol, and various other industries is expected to expand."
In the Seoul foreign exchange market on the day, the exchange rate closed at 1291.6 KRW, down 5.3 KRW from the previous trading day.
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