KOSPI Opens Higher at 2,620 Level on Strength in Semiconductor Stocks

SK Hynix Up 3.27%, Samsung Electronics Gains 1.23%
KOSDAQ Slips into Slight Decline During Session

In early trading on May 14, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets showed mixed trends. The KOSPI opened higher at the 2,620 level, supported by strength in semiconductor stocks, while the KOSDAQ turned lower during the session and is currently showing slight weakness.

On the 13th, despite the news of a sharp rise in the US New York stock market following the US-China mutual tariff agreement, the KOSPI started slightly lower. The status board in the dealing room at the Hana Bank headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, displayed the KOSPI and the won/dollar exchange rate. On that day, the KOSPI opened at 2,609.16, up 1.83 points from the previous session, while the won/dollar exchange rate started at 1,415.0 won, up 12.6 won. 2025.5.13 Photo by Cho Yongjun

As of 9:08 a.m. on this day, the KOSPI index is at 2,627.93, up 0.75% from the previous trading day. The index started the session at 2,625.36, up 0.65% from the previous close. Foreign investors and institutions are net buyers, purchasing 75.7 billion won and 12.7 billion won respectively, while individual investors are net sellers, offloading 92.9 billion won.

By sector, machinery and equipment (2.43%), textiles, apparel, electrical and electronics (1.22%), finance (1.21%), securities (0.98%), construction (0.87%), and chemicals (0.86%) are gaining. In contrast, pharmaceuticals (-0.88%), metals (-0.59%), and distribution (-0.45%) are declining.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics (1.23%) and SK Hynix (3.27%) are showing strength. This appears to be due to improved investor sentiment after US semiconductor stocks surged together on May 13 (local time), following Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s announcement of supplying AI chips to Saudi Arabian companies. In addition, Hanwha Aerospace (1.87%) is also rising. On the other hand, LG Energy Solution (-0.32%), Samsung Biologics (-0.60%), Celltrion (-1.30%), and Kia (-0.53%) are declining.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is at 729.62, down 0.31% from the previous trading day. The index opened at 732.20, up 0.04% from the previous session, but turned lower shortly after the market opened. Currently, foreign investors and institutions are net sellers, offloading 29.1 billion won and 12.0 billion won respectively, while individual investors are net buyers, purchasing 44.1 billion won.

The market is showing sectoral divergence. Machinery and equipment (1.43%), non-metallic minerals (0.78%), construction (0.62%), electrical and electronics (0.24%), and textiles and apparel (0.19%) are rising, while pharmaceuticals (-1.25%), finance (-0.68%), telecommunications (-0.31%), and chemicals (-0.26%) are declining.

Among the top 10 KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, except for Rainbow Robotics (1.97%) and PharmaResearch (0.25%), all others are declining: Alteogen (-7.04%), EcoPro BM (-0.20%), HLB (-0.70%), EcoPro (-1.28%), Peptron (-4.52%), Hugel (-1.74%), Classys (-1.22%), and LIG ChemBio (-3.01%).