KOSPI Rises for Four Consecutive Sessions
Relief as Concerns Over Reciprocal Tariffs Ease
On the 14th, the KOSPI index closed around the 2590 level, continuing its upward trend for the fourth consecutive trading day. As U.S. inflation pressures eased and concerns over Trump-induced reciprocal tariffs subsided, a sense of relief seemed to spread in the domestic market. The KOSDAQ index also closed higher for the second consecutive day.
On the 14th, amid the removal of uncertainties regarding U.S. reciprocal tariffs, the New York stock market showed a simultaneous rise. The status board in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul, displayed the KOSPI index and the KRW/USD exchange rate. On that day, the KOSPI opened at 2,589.59, up 6.42 points (0.25%) from the previous session, while the KRW/USD exchange rate started at 1,441.30 won, down 6.20 won. 2025.2.14 Photo by Jo Yongjun
On this day, the KOSPI market closed at 2591.05, up 0.31% from the previous trading day's closing price. Institutions led the index's rise by purchasing 364.4 billion KRW alone. Foreigners and individuals sold 322.2 billion KRW and 64.4 billion KRW, respectively. The index, which opened at 2588.20, showed strength by surpassing the 2600 mark at one point during the session.
Most sectors rose. Insurance led with a 6.41% increase, followed by machinery and equipment (3.68%), food and tobacco (2.43%), telecommunications (1.78%), distribution (1.73%), and securities (1.62%). Transportation equipment and parts (-0.92%), chemicals (-0.56%), and IT services (-0.53%) declined.
Among the top 10 market capitalization stocks, all rose except LG Energy Solution (-1.40%) and Hyundai Motor (-1.20%). The order of gains was Celltrion (1.63%), Kia (0.74%), SK Hynix (0.72%), NAVER (0.45%), and Samsung Electronics (+0.36%).
The KOSDAQ closed at 756.32, up 0.94% from the previous session. The index, which started with a 0.37% gain, expanded its rise by mid-session, reaching a new high. This marked the second consecutive day of gains following the previous day's 0.55% increase. Although individuals net sold 183.9 billion KRW, foreigners and institutions led the rise by purchasing 195.5 billion KRW and 12.8 billion KRW, respectively.
Sector performance showed mixed trends. Pharmaceuticals (2.59%), machinery and equipment (2.02%), telecommunications (1.41%), food and tobacco (1.05%), and manufacturing (0.96%) were strong, while finance (-0.83%), non-metallic minerals (-0.62%), textiles and apparel (-0.61%), and construction (-0.58%) were weak.
The fortunes of top market cap stocks diverged as well. Hugel (11.20%), HLB (9.42%), Alteogen (6.34%), and Rainbow Robotics (5.93%) rose sharply, whereas Rino Industrial (-2.39%), EcoPro BM (-2.36%), and EcoPro (-1.94%) declined.
Ji-won Kim, a researcher at KB Securities, said, “The resolution of uncertainties over U.S. reciprocal tariffs extended the upward trend,” adding, “Next week's stock market is likely to be linked to the U.S. government's tariff policies.” However, he predicted, “Volatility will not be as large as before.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
