KOSPI Rises Over 4% on Strong Foreign and Institutional Buying

Semiconductor-related Stocks Gain Momentum
Samsung Electro-Mechanics Surges Over 13%
KOSDAQ Turns Weaker

The KOSPI began trading strong on the morning of the 13th. Easing concerns over rising U.S. interest rates, along with a sharp increase in semiconductor stocks, are the main drivers behind the index's rise.

As of 9:20 a.m., the KOSPI index was up 292 points (4.44%) from the previous trading day, trading at 6,871.13. The index started at 6,773.92, up 194.88 points (2.96%) from the previous session, and further extended its gains shortly after opening. Foreign investors and institutional investors have each made net purchases of KRW 514.4 billion and KRW 314.6 billion, respectively, leading the index higher. Individual investors alone have recorded a net selling amount of KRW 830.5 billion.

On the 13th, the KOSPI and others were displayed on the status board in the Hana Bank dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

By sector, most are displaying upward trends. The KOSPI Electrical & Electronics sector is surging over 6% (6.31%). Other strong performers include Manufacturing (5.02%), Securities (4.53%), Financial (3.88%), Insurance (3.01%), Retail (2.75%), Machinery & Equipment (2.39%), and Telecommunications (2.06%). In contrast, sectors such as Electricity & Gas (-3.63%) and Leisure & Culture (-1.40%) are showing declines.

Among the largest stocks by market capitalization, a surge is particularly noticeable in major technology and financial stocks. Samsung Electro-Mechanics is soaring at 13.18%. Others rising sharply include SK Square (10.35%), SK hynix (8.18%), Samsung C&T (5.45%), Samsung Electronics (5.38%), SK Inc. (5.14%), Samsung Life Insurance (4.63%), Hyundai Motor Company (3.66%), and Kia (3.47%). Conversely, pharmaceutical and biotech stocks such as Samsung Biologics (-1.03%) and Celltrion (-0.99%) are experiencing declines.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is recording 853.29, down 5.62 points (0.65%) from the previous session. The index opened at 863.15, up 4.24 points (0.49%) compared to the prior day, but turned downward early in the session. Foreign investors and institutions have been net sellers of KRW 109.3 billion and KRW 56.8 billion, respectively, putting pressure on the index. Individual investors are recording net purchases amounting to KRW 172.5 billion.

In the KOSDAQ's top market cap stocks, semiconductor-related stocks are showing upward momentum. WoneiK IPS (5.11%), EO Technics (4.54%), ISC (4.42%), Jusung Engineering (2.47%), and Simmtech (2.20%) are on the rise. However, declines are being seen in bio and secondary battery-related stocks such as Pharmaresearch (-2.57%), Alteogen (-2.05%), ABL Bio (-1.96%), HLB (-1.92%), Ecopro BM (-1.57%), and Legochem Bio (-1.22%).

Meanwhile, on August 12 (local time), the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow Jones) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) closed at 53,770.27, down 21.58 points (0.04%) from the previous session. The S&P 500, which is composed mainly of blue-chip stocks, rose 20.30 points (0.26%) to 7,748.50, while the tech-heavy NASDAQ increased 143.04 points (0.54%) to close at 26,588.48.

The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July rose 3.4% year-on-year, in line with market expectations, leading to analyses that the likelihood of the Federal Reserve raising its benchmark interest rate has diminished. In response, CoreWeave and Super Micro Computer surged 19.28% and 19.02%, respectively, after announcing their latest quarterly results. Other artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks such as Dell Technologies (9.87%), Micron Technology (4.92%), Cisco Systems (2.86%), SK hynix American Depositary Receipt (ADR) (9.01%), and NVIDIA (3.03%) also gained.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.