KOSPI Opens Higher at 2262... KOSDAQ Remains Around 690 Level

On the 14th, the KOSPI index opened at 2243.06, up 13.80 points (0.62%) from the previous trading day, amid expectations for the signing of the first phase trade agreement between the US and China. Dealers are working in the dealing room of KEB Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul. In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate started at 1153.7 won, down 2.3 won from the previous trading day. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] The KOSPI opened higher and is maintaining the mid-2260s level. The KOSDAQ started with gains but has slightly declined, fluctuating around the 690 mark.

As of 9:29 AM on the 20th, the KOSPI is up 14.78 points (0.66%) from the previous close, standing at 2265.35. In the securities market, individuals and institutions sold net amounts of 14.1 billion KRW and 40.7 billion KRW respectively, while foreigners bought a net 58.2 billion KRW.

By sector, steel and metals are showing strength with a 1.07% increase. Electrical and electronics (1.04%), distribution (0.99%), and chemicals (0.95%) are also on the rise. Conversely, machinery (0.44%), construction (0.36%), and pharmaceuticals (0.34%) declined.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, LG Chem posted the largest gain at 3.75%. POSCO (2.28%), SK Hynix (1.01%), and LG Household & Health Care (1.00%) also rose. Meanwhile, Celltrion (1.14%), NAVER (0.79%), and Hyundai Motor (0.42%) fell.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ is up 1.09 points (0.16%) from the previous close, standing at 689.50. It opened at 690.85 but has been fluctuating around the 690 level. Individuals and institutions sold net amounts of 2.9 billion KRW and 69.8 billion KRW respectively, while foreigners bought a net 22.9 billion KRW.

By sector, paper and wood recorded the largest gain at 1.68%. Other manufacturing (0.88%), entertainment and culture (0.74%), textiles and apparel (0.71%), and pharmaceuticals (0.64%) also rose. On the other hand, software (1.29%), internet (1.20%), computer services (0.89%), and information devices (0.66%) declined.

Among the top 10 market capitalization stocks, Medytox rose the most at 2.16%. It was followed by Paradise (1.86%), KMW (1.08%), Studio Dragon (1.06%), and Celltrion Healthcare (0.73%). Meanwhile, Pearl Abyss (1.08%), SK Materials (0.67%), and CJ ENM (0.26%) fell. HL Biotech remained unchanged.

Kim Hyung-ryul, head of the Kyobo Securities Research Center, analyzed, "While a few growth industries such as IT sectors with high expected profit growth, Chinese consumer stocks, and healthcare are leading the market, sectors like energy, insurance, and transportation have very low returns despite high operating profit growth forecasts. This seems to be due to investors' lack of trust in current profit forecasts amid sluggish business conditions, and while operating profits improve, net profit growth remains weak." He added, "This year, the disparity in profit growth rates across sectors is expected to be very large, and the differentiation in returns between leading and lagging sectors will continue domestically."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.