KOSPI and KOSDAQ Rise Together in Early Trading... Foreigners Are 'Selling'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Despite the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) reaching its highest level in 40 years, it was evaluated as not being as high as feared, leading the Korean stock market to also show an upward trend in the early trading session.

As of 9:23 a.m. on the 13th, the KOSPI is at 2,675.62, up 0.33% (8.86 points) compared to the previous trading day. On this day, the KOSPI opened at 2,677.53, up 0.40% (10.77 points) from the previous trading day. In the market, institutions are net buying stocks worth 47.7 billion KRW alone. On the other hand, individuals and foreigners are net selling stocks worth 29.3 billion KRW and 17.2 billion KRW, respectively.

Most of the top market capitalization stocks are showing an upward trend. Samsung Electronics is trading at 67,300 KRW, up 0.45% from the previous trading day. SK Hynix (0.90%), Samsung Biologics (0.25%), Samsung Electronics Preferred (0.33%), Kakao (1.17%), Hyundai Motor (0.84%), Samsung SDI (1.21%), LG Chem (0.20%), and Kia (1.17%) are also on the rise.

The U.S. CPI for March, announced on the 12th (local time), recorded 8.5%, exceeding both the previous month (7.9%) and the forecast (8.4%), marking the highest level since 1981. However, it was evaluated as not being as high as feared, which is interpreted as influencing the upward trend.

Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said, "The domestic stock market will show limited price movement due to the coexistence of upward and downward factors such as expectations of inflation peaking, the forecast of a decline in the won-dollar exchange rate, uncertainties regarding the Ukraine situation, and concerns about inflation becoming entrenched. However, after companies announce strong first-quarter earnings, it is judged that the domestic stock market will increase incentives for bargain buying and secure downside rigidity in the index."

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is at 915.58, up 0.19% (1.76 points) compared to the previous trading day. The index opened at 915.89, up 0.23% (2.07 points) from the previous trading day. Looking at investor trends, individuals and institutions are net buying at scales of 58.7 billion KRW and 2.5 billion KRW, respectively. Foreigners are net selling stocks worth 60.7 billion KRW.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, EcoPro BM is trading at 451,500 KRW, up 1.83% from the previous trading day. Celltrion Healthcare (0.67%), Celltrion Pharm (1.03%), HLB (0.34%), and Chunbo (0.03%) are rising, while L&F (-0.69%), Pearl Abyss (-2.19%), Kakao Games (-1.05%), and Wemade (-2.68%) are declining.

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