KOSPI Recovers to 2,600 Level After Nearly Two Months, Closes Up 1.17%

Semiconductor and Automotive Stocks Lead Gains
Defense and Biotech Sectors Extend Losses

The KOSPI index closed above the 2,600 mark for the first time in nearly two months. The index was lifted by simultaneous net buying from both foreign investors and institutions.

On May 12, the KOSPI finished trading at 2,607.33, up 1.17% from the previous session. After opening slightly higher at 2,593.94 and moving sideways for most of the session, a surge in buying at the end of the day pushed the index higher. This marks the first time since March 27 that the KOSPI has closed above 2,600.

By investor type, foreigners and institutions were net buyers of 27.8 billion won and 397.2 billion won, respectively. Individual investors were net sellers of 482 billion won.

Most sectors rose. The paper and lumber sector recorded the largest gain at 5.64%, followed by securities (4.24%), transportation and storage (3.79%), construction (3.71%), electrical and electronics (3.60%), machinery and equipment (2.19%), textiles and apparel (2.13%), and non-metallic minerals (2.01%). In contrast, pharmaceuticals (-3.69%), food, beverage and tobacco (-1.92%), and transportation equipment and parts (-1.72%) declined.

Among large-cap stocks, trends diverged sharply. Samsung Electronics (4.5%), Kia (3.2%), Hyundai Motor (2.9%), SK Hynix (2.3%), and LG Energy Solution (1.1%) all gained more than 1%. On the other hand, Hanwha Aerospace (-6.4%), Samsung Biologics (-4.4%), Celltrion (-3.9%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-2.3%) posted significant losses. KB Financial Group closed unchanged from the previous day.

The KOSDAQ index closed at 725.40, up 0.40% from the previous session. After opening slightly higher, it fluctuated throughout the session and moved sideways.

Foreigners and institutions were also net buyers in the KOSDAQ market, purchasing 107.4 billion won and 9.5 billion won, respectively. Individual investors were net sellers of 83.4 billion won.

Sector performance was mixed. Several sectors posted gains of more than 1%, including non-metallic minerals (4.64%), transportation and storage (3.08%), electrical and electronics (2.46%), machinery and equipment (2.34%), textiles and apparel (1.90%), construction (1.64%), chemicals (1.39%), and food, beverage and tobacco (1.38%). In contrast, medical and precision instruments (-1.83%), entertainment and culture (-1.81%), general services (-1.54%), and pharmaceuticals (-1.10%) all fell by more than 1%.

Among large-cap stocks, more declined than rose, and the losses were substantial. Classys plunged 9.2% to close the session. Hugel (-3.9%), Alteogen (-2.7%), Legochem Bio (-1.7%), HLB (-1.5%), and PharmaResearch (-0.8%) also posted notable losses. On the other hand, Ecopro BM (4.2%), Peptron (3.2%), Ecopro (1.1%), and Rainbow Robotics (0.7%) advanced.