KOSPI Slightly Rises to 2370 Level... "COVID-19 Spread Remains a Concern"

On the 21st, KOSPI opened at 2,306.16, up 31.94 points (1.40%), with employees busy at work in the Hana Bank dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul. KOSDAQ opened at 801.14, up 10.00 points (1.26%), and the won/dollar exchange rate opened at 1,184.5 won, down 2.4 won. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ji-hwan Park] The KOSPI showed a slight upward trend, supported by net buying from individuals and foreigners. Although it briefly declined as the number of new COVID-19 cases rose again to the 300s, it reduced the losses in the afternoon and turned to an increase.

According to the Korea Exchange on the 26th, as of 2:31 p.m., the KOSPI was trading at 2,372.78, up 0.26% from the previous trading day. The KOSPI opened the session at 2,367.34, up 0.04% (1.01 points) from the previous day.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that 320 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed as of midnight that day. The number of confirmed cases had dropped to the 200s for two days but rose again to the 300s. After the announcement, the index fell to the 2,330s but soon reduced the decline.

By investor type, individuals were net buyers of 222.9 billion KRW, and foreigners bought 94.8 billion KRW. In contrast, institutions engaged in large-scale selling worth 339.9 billion KRW.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, most rose except Samsung Electronics (-0.18%), Samsung Biologics (-0.37%), and LG Household & Health Care (-2.08%). SK Hynix (2.60%), NAVER (3.08%), LG Chem (7.57%), Hyundai Motor (1.20%), and Celltrion (1.79%) increased.

The KOSDAQ index recorded 841.87, up 0.66% from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ opened at 838.86, up 0.30% (2.55 points) from the previous day.

In the KOSDAQ market, individual buying continued. Meanwhile, foreigners and institutions were net sellers of 91.4 billion KRW and 34.2 billion KRW, respectively.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Celltrion Healthcare (0.48%), Seegene (0.17%), Alteogen (0.86%), and Celltrion Pharm (3.46%) rose, while HL Biopharma (-2.20%) and CJ ENM (-2.09%) declined.

Sang-young Seo, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, explained, "For the time being, the number of new COVID-19 cases reported by health authorities is likely to affect the index. However, considering recent indications of a moderate monetary policy by Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol, the burden is expected to be limited."

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