On the 24th, the KOSPI opened lower due to weakness in semiconductor stocks. The KOSDAQ is pulling the index up as pharmaceutical stocks show strength. This week, market volatility is expected to increase due to tariff issues related to the Trump administration and rulings by the Constitutional Court.
On this day, the KOSPI index opened at 2,636.43, down 6.70 points from the previous trading day. As of 9:10 AM, individuals were net buyers with 105.6 billion KRW, while foreigners and institutions were net sellers with 52.9 billion KRW and 55.2 billion KRW respectively, causing the decline.
On the 4th, the status board in the dealing room of Hana Bank's headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, displayed the KOSPI, KRW/USD exchange rate, and KOSDAQ index. Photo by Yonhap News
Among the top 10 stocks by market capitalization, LG Energy Solution (1.67%), Hyundai Motor (0.24%), Kia (0.84%), and KB Financial Group (0.86%) are rising. On the other hand, Samsung Electronics (-0.97%), SK Hynix (-2.09%), Samsung Biologics (-1.28%), Celltrion (-0.70%), and Naver (-0.48%) are falling.
Hanwha Aerospace (012450), which had plunged due to a large-scale rights offering, is up 1.59% today.
By sector, other capital goods are up 1.5%, with game software and securities showing slight gains. Conversely, steel and semiconductors are down by around 1%.
This week, tariff issues related to the Trump administration are expected to shake the market. On April 21 (local time), President Trump mentioned on his social media that "April 2 is the day of American liberation," reiterating the increase of reciprocal tariffs.
Kim Il-hyeok, a researcher at KB Securities, said, "The market has already reflected the negative impact of tariffs," adding, "Rather, if no large-scale additional tariff schedules are announced after the 2nd, or if the Trump administration is perceived to be making efforts to reduce uncertainty, it will support a market rebound."
The so-called 'Judicial Super Week,' during which the Constitutional Court and courts are consecutively delivering rulings on major cases, is also expected to affect the domestic stock market.
The KOSDAQ index started trading at 721.39, up 1.98 points from the previous day. While foreigners and institutions are net sellers with 35.8 billion KRW and 13.1 billion KRW respectively, individuals are net buyers with 52.1 billion KRW, lifting the index.
Among the top 10 stocks by market capitalization, HLB stood out with a 10.11% increase. Alteogen (2.70%), Samchundang Pharm (1.38%), Hugel (1.35%), Classys (0.51%), and Rigachem Bio (0.90%) are also rising. Meanwhile, EcoPro BM (-1.70%), EcoPro (-1.39%), Rainbow Robotics (-2.08%), and Kolon TissueGene (-3.61%) are falling.
In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate opened at 1,463.0 won, up 0.3 won from the previous session.
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