KOSPI Nears 3,800 Mark but Closes Flat... Semiconductors and Secondary Batteries Lead Gains

KOSPI Closes at 3,748.89, Up 0.01%
Hits Intraday High of 3,794.87

The KOSPI index set a new intraday record high on the 17th, coming close to the 3,800 mark, but ultimately gave up its gains and closed flat.

On this day, the KOSPI closed at 3,748.89, up 0.52 points (0.01%) from the previous trading day. This marks another all-time closing high, following the previous day.

Foreign investors recorded a net purchase of 442.3 billion won, while institutions and individuals posted net sales of 169.9 billion won and 311.1 billion won, respectively.

On the 17th, KOSPI closed at 3748.89, up 0.52 points (0.01%). Dealers are working in the dealing room at the Hana Bank headquarters in Myeongdong, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The KOSPI opened lower, reflecting the weakness in the U.S. stock market overnight. However, the index reversed course and climbed higher, led by strong performances in semiconductors and secondary battery stocks, reaching a new intraday high of 3,794.87.

After giving up most of its gains, the index fluctuated around the 3,750 level throughout the afternoon.

The performance of major large-cap stocks was mixed. Semiconductor stocks continued their upward trend, with Samsung Electronics (up 0.20%) and SK Hynix (up 2.87%) both hitting new record highs. LG Energy Solution (up 3.21%), Hyundai Motor (up 0.41%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (up 0.20%), Kia (up 0.72%), and KB Financial Group (up 0.26%) also closed higher.

In contrast, Samsung Biologics (down 1.41%), Doosan Enerbility (down 4.18%), Hanwha Aerospace (down 2.56%), Celltrion (down 0.57%), NAVER (down 1.92%), and Samsung C&T (down 3.00%) declined.

Secondary battery stocks were also strong. Ecopro surged 27.04%, Chunbo rose 21.02%, L&F climbed 12.80%, LG Chem gained 8.65%, and Samsung SDI advanced 8.26%.

Investor sentiment appeared to concentrate on related stocks, driven by expectations of increased demand for energy storage systems (ESS) due to expanded AI investment, as well as hopes for a resolution to the temporary demand stagnation in electric vehicles.

The KOSDAQ index ended the session at 859.54, down 5.87 points (0.68%). Foreign investors and institutions recorded net purchases of 42.9 billion won and 99.1 billion won, respectively, while institutions posted a net sale of 124.6 billion won.

The index opened at 862.71, down 2.70 points (0.31%) from the previous session, then reversed course and briefly climbed to 871.06 before falling again.

Among the top KOSDAQ market cap stocks, Rainbow Robotics and Samchundang Pharm dropped 3.49% and 2.43%, respectively, while Peptone and PharmaResearch also fell by more than 1%.