Slight Rise in KOSPI Due to Individual Buying Pressure

Kakao Rises 5%... Solidifying 3rd Place in Market Cap
KOSDAQ Also Climbs to 1014 Points

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Individual investors are leading the KOSPI's firm upward trend. The KOSDAQ also continued its rise with an increase of over 1%.

As of 1:31 PM on the 18th, the KOSPI recorded 3,269.23, up 0.13% (4.27 points) compared to the previous trading day. It even rose to 3,275.76 at 9:26 AM that day.

The buying power of individual investors is relatively strong. Individuals net purchased 545.7 billion KRW. Foreigners and institutions net sold 368.8 billion KRW and 169.4 billion KRW, respectively. The index also rose to 3,273.19 at 12:23 PM that day.

Almost all sectors declined. The banking sector had the largest drop at 1.40%. This was followed by paper and wood (-1.13%), transportation and warehousing (-1.01%), banking (-0.95%), and insurance (-0.92%). Meanwhile, service industries (2.30%), textiles and apparel (1.40%), medical precision instruments (1.22%), non-metallic minerals (1.04%), and transportation equipment (0.52%) rose.

Many of the top 10 market capitalization stocks increased. Kakao had the largest gain at 5.41%. This was followed by Samsung SDI (3.69%), NAVER (2.57%), Kia (1.26%), Celltrion (0.37%), and Samsung Biologics (0.24%). LG Chem (-1.44%), SK Hynix (-1.19%), and Samsung Electronics (-0.37%) declined. Hyundai Motor remained flat.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ recorded 1,013.75, up 1.00% (10.03 points) from the previous trading day. It even rose to 1,014.05 at 11:21 AM that day.

Foreigners and institutions showed strong buying power. Foreigners and institutions purchased 170.6 billion KRW and 38.9 billion KRW, respectively. Individuals net sold 199.4 billion KRW.

Almost all sectors showed strength. The telecommunications equipment sector had the largest increase at 3.09%. This was followed by transportation equipment and parts (2.08%), computer services (1.62%), IT components (1.60%), and pharmaceuticals (1.51%). Broadcasting services (-0.63%), transportation (-0.56%), other manufacturing (-0.49%), finance (-0.24%), and construction (-0.23%) declined.

All of the top 10 market capitalization stocks except CJ ENM rose. HL Biotech had the largest gain at 7.79%. This was followed by Alteogen (4.50%), Celltrion Pharm (3.01%), Kakao Games (2.86%), EcoPro BM (2.51%), Pearl Abyss (2.50%), SK Materials (1.94%), Seegene (1.26%), and Celltrion Healthcare (1.02%). CJ ENM (-0.51%) declined.

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