The KOSPI and KOSDAQ both closed higher for the fourth consecutive trading day. The KOSPI rose more than 3% as foreign and institutional investors bought shares, particularly in major semiconductor stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The KOSDAQ also ended on a positive note, recovering above the 860 mark.
According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed at 6,813.34, up 234.30 points (3.56%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 6,773.92, up 194.88 points (2.96%), and expanded its gains throughout the day, reaching as high as 6,895.63 before giving back some of its gains.
Individuals sold a net 27.348 billion won worth of stocks, while foreign and institutional investors bought a net 21.060 billion won and 6.815 billion won, respectively.
Most of the top market capitalization stocks saw gains. Samsung Electronics rose 4.89%, SK Hynix increased by 5.92%, Samsung Electronics preferred shares were up 0.91%, SK Square climbed 9.08%, Samsung Electro-Mechanics surged 12.58%, Hyundai Motor rose 2.20%, LG Energy Solution increased by 1.95%, Samsung Biologics was up 0.97%, Hanwha Aerospace rose 2.51%, KB Financial gained 1.27%, and Samsung C&T increased by 2.10%.
The strength of major semiconductor stocks drove the index higher. The U.S. stock market saw the July Consumer Price Index (CPI) meet market expectations, and AI-related semiconductor stocks performed well. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix continued their upward trend, with companies involved in semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment, such as Wonik IPS, also benefiting with a 7.62% increase.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics surged 12.58% as expectations grew for increased demand for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) due to expanded investments in AI data centers, leading to a broader buying trend in related stocks.
On the same day, the KOSDAQ closed at 861.37, up 2.46 points (0.29%). The index opened at 863.15, up 4.24 points (0.49%), and briefly rose to 870.96 but gave back some gains in the afternoon, finishing in positive territory.
Individuals bought a net 25.71 billion won worth of stocks, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 13.63 billion won and 11.58 billion won, respectively.
Among the top KOSDAQ stocks, Alteogen closed flat, while EcoPro rose 0.88%, EcoPro BM increased by 0.09%, Rainbow Robotics was up 1.43%, Juseong Engineering gained 3.05%, Wonik IPS rose 7.62%, and HLB increased by 2.76%. Conversely, Rino Industrial fell 0.14%, and IOTechniques dropped 1.82%. ABL Bio closed flat.
Lim Jeong-eun, a researcher at KB Securities, stated, "The U.S. stock market's July CPI meeting market expectations and the strong performance of AI semiconductor stocks have contributed to the ongoing rally of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in the domestic market. With large-cap stocks attracting attention, the semiconductor materials and parts sector is also benefiting from positive expectations."
He added, "Attention should be paid to the U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) set to be announced tonight. Following the CPI release, the outlook for a rate freeze in September has risen to about 60%, and it is essential to see if the market maintains a favorable interpretation of inflation."
Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the weekly closing exchange rate for the won against the dollar was recorded at 1,419.4 won, up 3.7 won from the previous day.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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