KOSPI Closes Higher Driven by Foreign and Institutional 'Buy'... Battery Sector Leads

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Weaken
Hyundai Motor Closes Lower Despite Record High Earnings
Battery Stocks All Close Higher

Securities company app, stock trading scene. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 26th, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ closed higher. On this day, the Korean stock market was driven by the battery sector showing strength despite weakness in the semiconductor sector.

The KOSPI closed at 2478.56, up 0.33% (8.22 points) from the previous day. The KOSPI started at 2458.05, down 0.50% (12.29 points) from the previous close, but turned to an upward trend supported by foreign demand.

Foreign investors and institutions net bought 376 billion KRW and 6.7 billion KRW respectively, lifting the index. Individual investors alone net sold 388.6 billion KRW. In the futures market, institutions alone bought 132 billion KRW, while individuals and foreigners sold 108.5 billion KRW and 5.4 billion KRW respectively.

Looking at the top 10 stocks by market capitalization, sectoral fluctuations were clear. Semiconductors such as Samsung Electronics (-0.94%) and SK Hynix (-1.02%) showed weakness. Batteries such as LG Energy Solution (+3.53%), POSCO Holdings (+3.13%), and LG Chem (+2.97%) closed higher. Hyundai Motor, which recorded record-high earnings, closed slightly down (-0.74%), while Kia recorded an increase (+1.51%).

The KOSDAQ closed at 837.24, up 1.64% (13.50 points) from the previous day. The KOSDAQ started at 818.76, down 0.60% (4.98 points) from the previous close, but turned to an upward trend and showed a steady flow. Foreign investors alone net bought 178.5 billion KRW, driving the index. Individuals and institutions net sold 153.6 billion KRW and 10.8 billion KRW respectively.

The top 10 stocks by market capitalization mostly showed gains. Battery stocks showed clear strength with EcoPro BM (+7.49%), EcoPro (+9.28%), and L&F (+19.20%, +1.21%). Biotech stocks also closed higher, including HLB (+19.20%), Celltrion Pharm (+1.94%), and Alteogen (+4.08%).