The KOSPI closed higher, buoyed by strong performances from major semiconductor stocks, including Samsung Electronics. After starting the day with a decline, the index reversed course and surpassed the 6,400 mark during trading.
On August 11, the Korea Exchange reported that the KOSPI rose by 45.87 points (0.73%) to close at 6,345.53. The index opened at 6,240.06, down 59.60 points (0.95%), but turned positive during the morning session, reaching a high of 6,405.81.
Individuals sold a net 72.4 billion won worth of shares, while foreign and institutional investors bought a net 44.6 billion won and 31.9 billion won, respectively.
Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics finished at 239,500 won, up 9,500 won (4.13%) from the previous trading day. Other gainers included Samsung Electronics preferred shares (4.77%), SK Hynix (0.35%), Samsung Biologics (2.55%), Samsung Life (3.21%), and Samsung C&T (3.87%). Conversely, LG Energy Solution (-3.54%), Hanwha Aerospace (-4.69%), KB Financial (-2.97%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-0.94%), and Hyundai Motor (-1.23%) saw declines.
The KOSDAQ also closed higher, gaining 3.37 points (0.39%) to finish at 857.84. The index opened at 848.59, down 5.88 points (0.69%), but turned positive during the morning session, reaching a high of 875.16 before giving back some gains and fluctuating in a narrow range.
Individuals were net buyers, purchasing 435.2 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 358.1 billion won and 96.7 billion won, respectively.
Top KOSDAQ stocks showed mixed results. JUSUNG Engineering (12.15%), Wonik IPS (6.40%), HLB (3.07%), IoTech (3.22%), and Rino Industry (1.13%) gained, while Alteogen (-5.89%), EcoPro (-3.42%), EcoPro BM (-4.36%), ABL Bio (-4.81%), and Rainbow Robotics (-1.84%) declined.
Lim Jeong-eun, a researcher at KB Securities, noted, "The KOSDAQ initially rose by over 2% but gave back some gains as capital flowed toward Samsung Electronics, which saw a 4% increase. The KOSPI recorded a slight rise due to net buying from foreign and institutional investors. From August 1 to 10, total exports reached $21.3 billion, a 45% increase compared to the same period last year, with semiconductor exports hitting $10 billion, up 155%, both setting records for the period and improving overall investment sentiment in the semiconductor sector."
Looking ahead, Lim mentioned that earnings reports from companies like Kolmar Korea and Classys are scheduled for tomorrow, and there is interest in whether the strong performance of the cosmetics and beauty device sector will continue.
Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the weekly closing exchange rate for the won against the dollar was recorded at 1,416.0 won, down 2.4 won from the previous trading day.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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