The KOSPI index has reclaimed the 7500 mark, bolstered by significant buying from individual investors despite a sell-off by foreign investors. In contrast, the KOSDAQ index is experiencing a decline of over 2%, primarily driven by weakness in biotech and robotics stocks.
According to the Korea Exchange, as of 10:50 a.m. on May 18, the KOSPI rose by 18.83 points (0.25%) to reach 7512.01. Earlier in the session, it had dipped below 7200 but rebounded thanks to strong buying from individual investors, who recorded a net purchase of 1.6191 trillion won. Meanwhile, foreign investors sold off 1.7513 trillion won, while institutional investors made a net purchase of 85.2 billion won.
Among the top stocks by market capitalization on the KOSPI, the performance was mixed. Semiconductor and IT-related stocks like Samsung Electronics (up 4.25%), Samsung Electronics Preferred (up 2.29%), SK Hynix (up 1.76%), and Samsung Electro-Mechanics (up 0.79%) showed strength. Conversely, stocks such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (down 4.38%), Hyundai Motor (down 4.14%), LG Energy Solution (down 2.52%), Samsung Biologics (down 2.04%), Doosan Enerbility (down 1.99%), and SK Square (down 1.37%) faced declines.
The KOSDAQ index, at the same time, recorded a drop of 23.05 points (-2.04%), settling at 1106.77. In the KOSDAQ market, foreign investors made a net purchase of 39.2 billion won, but individual and institutional investors sold off 10.2 billion won and 48 billion won, respectively, contributing to the index's downward trend.
Most of the top stocks by market capitalization on the KOSDAQ are also in decline. Stocks such as Rainbow Robotics (down 6.79%), ABL Bio (down 6.87%), Samchundang Pharm (down 5.93%), Alteogen (down 3.93%), Kolon TissueGene (down 3.23%), and HLB (down 3.08%) are experiencing losses. However, JUSUNG Engineering saw a significant surge of 29.96%, while EcoPro BM (up 1.39%) and Rino Technology (up 1.39%) showed slight gains.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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