SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) -South Korean shares emerged as regional winners on Wednesday, with Japanese markets closed for the National Foundation Day, as strong foreign and institutional buying and easing currency pressure lifted investor sentiment.
The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.0 percent to close at 5,354.5, extending its rebound as heavyweight stocks regained momentum. The KOSPI 200 advanced 1.02 percent to 788.8, reflecting renewed strength in large-cap names.
Foreign and institutional investors led the rally. Foreigners posted net purchases of 847.4 billion won ($582 million), while institutions added 689.6 billion won. Retail investors locked in gains, selling 1.71 trillion won, underscoring a rotation out of recent outperformers.
Technology and industrial shares drove advances. Samsung Electronics climbed 1.2 percent to 167,800 won, while Hyundai Motor surged 5.9 percent to 509,000 won.
Nuclear power–related stocks rallied sharply. Woori Technology soared 30 percent to 12,350 won on expectations that its domestically developed nuclear control systems would benefit from ongoing reactor construction and future decommissioning projects.
LG Electronics jumped 23 percent to 127,900 won, hitting a fresh high, as investors piled into the stock on expectations that it could gain from the expansion of physical AI businesses. The rally accelerated mid-morning as the theme gained traction, with LG seen as a potential beneficiary of next-generation robotics, smart devices and AI-integrated hardware ecosystems.
In contrast, chip and battery stocks showed mixed performance. SK hynix fell 1.8 percent to 860,000 won, while Samsung SDI slipped 1.1 percent to 377,000 won amid reports that Stellantis is reviewing its stake in their U.S. battery joint venture as part of broader restructuring efforts. Concerns over EV-sector profitability weighed on sentiment in select battery names.
The tech-heavy KOSDAQ edged down 0.03 percent to 1,114.9, as gains in select mid-cap shares were offset by profit-taking. Foreign investors bought 2.1 billion won, while institutions added 75.5 billion won. Retail investors sold 48.4 billion won.
The Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar, providing additional support for equities. The currency rose to 1,453 won per dollar, up 6.0 won, or 0.41 percent, easing pressure on foreign capital flows.
Precious metals declined alongside a firmer dollar tone. International gold prices fell 1.0 percent to $5,031.0 per troy ounce, while silver dropped 2.2 percent to $80.4 per ounce.
Across Asia, markets showed a mixed tone. With Tokyo closed for the National Foundation Day holiday, regional direction was muted. China’s Shanghai Composite was little changed, inching up 0.2 percent to 4,134.4, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index traded mostly flat as investors consolidated recent gains.
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