The KOSPI index surged by over 2%, nearing the 7000 mark, driven by strong foreign buying. The KOSDAQ also showed volatility, briefly turning negative before closing slightly higher. Both indices have now recorded five consecutive days of gains.
On August 14, the Korea Exchange reported that the KOSPI closed at 6977.94, up 164.60 points (2.42%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 6995.67, up 182.33 points (2.68%).
In the securities market, individual and institutional investors sold a net 1.98 trillion won and 1.06 trillion won, respectively. In contrast, foreign investors purchased a net 3.38 trillion won.
Most of the top market capitalization stocks in the KOSPI ended higher, including Hyundai Motor (up 8.12%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (up 3.66%), SK Hynix (up 3.45%), Samsung Life Insurance (up 3.26%), SK Square (up 3.13%), Samsung Electronics (up 2.24%), Samsung C&T (up 1.10%), LG Energy Solution (up 0.82%), and KB Financial Group (up 0.24%). However, Hanwha Aerospace (-1.94%) and Samsung Biologics (-0.96%) saw declines.
Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ closed at 864.65, up 3.28 points (0.38%). The index opened at 868.07, up 6.70 points (0.78%), but at one point fell to 845.41, down 15.96 points (1.85%).
In the KOSDAQ market, individual and institutional investors sold a net 1.64 trillion won and 1.08 trillion won, respectively, while foreign investors bought a net 2.76 trillion won.
The top stocks in the KOSDAQ showed mixed results. IOTech (up 6.61%), EcoPro BM (up 1.75%), EcoPro (up 1.19%), Rainbow Robotics (up 0.80%), and HLB (up 0.58%) gained, while Wonik IPS (-2.83%), ABL Bio (-3.00%), Peptron (-1.37%), Alteogen (-1.10%), JUSUNG Engineering (-0.84%), Rino Technology (-0.70%), and Samchully Pharmaceutical (-0.21%) declined.
Analysts noted that foreign buying supported the KOSPI's rise. Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, stated, "The KOSPI briefly surpassed the 7000 mark due to easing concerns over the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes and improved investor sentiment in the memory sector. However, profit-taking after five consecutive days of gains led to some pullback in the index."
He added, "As foreign investors continue to buy for four consecutive days, a differentiated market trend is emerging based on sector-specific news."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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