KOSPI Opens Above 2,600... KOSDAQ Slightly Weaker

KOSPI Rebounds After Previous Day's Decline
Fluctuates Around the 2,590 Level in Early Trading

On the 23rd, both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets opened higher, supported by individual investors' buying, but have since pared their gains.

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

On this day, the KOSPI began trading at 2,603.57, up 0.38% from the previous session, but gave up some of its early gains and is fluctuating around the 2,590 level. As of 9:15 a.m., it is trading at 2,596.12, up 0.09% from the previous day. Individuals have purchased 84.3 billion won worth of shares, while foreigners and institutions have sold 27.1 billion won and 59.7 billion won, respectively.

A differentiated trend by sector is emerging. Construction (up 3.70%), machinery and equipment (up 1.88%), insurance (up 1.05%), electricity and gas (up 0.87%), distribution (up 0.71%), finance (up 0.48%), and electrical and electronics (up 0.38%) are rising. In contrast, pharmaceuticals (down 1.44%), medical and precision instruments (down 1.12%), chemicals (down 0.87%), metals (down 0.66%), telecommunications (down 0.68%), and securities (down 0.02%) are declining.

Among the top 10 stocks by market capitalization, Samsung Electronics (up 0.37%), SK Hynix (up 1.57%), and KB Financial Group (up 1.14%) are on the rise. However, Samsung Biologics (down 1.48%), LG Energy Solution (down 1.64%), Hanwha Aerospace (down 1.56%), Hyundai Motor (down 0.77%), Kia (down 0.45%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (down 0.89%) are showing declines.

The KOSDAQ also started higher at 720.50, up 0.39% from the previous session, but soon turned downward. At the same time, it is trading at 714.11, down 0.50% from the previous day. Individuals have made a net purchase of 83.7 billion won, while foreigners and institutions have sold 42.0 billion won and 22.5 billion won, respectively.

By sector, textiles and apparel (up 1.13%), distribution (up 0.22%), and construction (up 0.01%) are rising, while chemicals (down 1.12%), finance (down 0.85%), medical and precision instruments (down 0.79%), pharmaceuticals (down 0.76%), manufacturing (down 0.56%), and electrical and electronics (down 0.49%) are declining.

Among the top 10 KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, except for Hugel (up 0.28%), all others are falling: Alteogen (down 0.31%), Ecopro BM (down 1.71%), HLB (down 1.13%), Ecopro (down 2.54%), Rainbow Robotics (down 0.75%), Peptron (down 0.24%), PharmaResearch (down 0.45%), LIG ChemBio (down 1.27%), and Classys (down 0.51%).