KOSPI Stabilizes with Uptrend... Pharmaceutical Sector on the Rise

On the 17th, dealers were working in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Euljiro, Seoul. On this day, the KOSPI index opened at 2603.58, up 7.00 points (0.27%) from the previous trading day. The won-dollar exchange rate started at 1280 won, down 4.1 won. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] On the afternoon of the 25th, the stock market has left behind the mixed trend seen in the early session and is maintaining a slight upward trend.

As of 1:48 PM, the KOSPI is at 2626.36, up 0.79% from the previous close. After a mixed start, the index is gradually increasing its gains. Individual and foreign investors have realized profits worth 301.2 billion KRW and 102.1 billion KRW respectively, but institutions have net purchased 401.2 billion KRW, pushing the index upward. Among institutions, financial investment and pension funds have shown significant net buying.

The market was shaky in the early session due to the previous day’s decline in the US stock market caused by inflation concerns affecting technology stocks and worries about a recession following weaker-than-expected US PMI data. However, the market has expanded its gains in the afternoon.

Among all listed stocks, 566 are rising. Samsung Electronics, the perennial market leader, struggled in the early session but is currently trading at 66,800 KRW, up 0.45%. Institutions are showing net buying intentions, while foreigners are net sellers. LG Energy Solution is down 2.96% at 425,500 KRW, with both institutions and foreigners realizing profits.

On the other hand, Samsung Biologics rose 2.97%. NAVER and Samsung SDI are also up 0.38% and 1.03%, respectively.

Among sectors, the pharmaceutical sector (up 2.79%) stands out, led by stocks such as Celltrion (6.21%), JW Pharmaceutical (3.12%), and SK Bioscience (2.66%). Celltrion showed strength after announcing a supply contract worth about 160 billion KRW the previous day for autoimmune disease treatment Remsima, non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer treatment CT-P16, and breast and stomach cancer treatment Herzuma.

The KOSDAQ is also recording a steady rise, up 1.45% from the previous close at 877.63. While individuals realized profits worth 60.1 billion KRW, foreigners and institutions showed net buying intentions of 12.2 billion KRW and 55.8 billion KRW, respectively.

Among all KOSDAQ stocks, 880 are rising. Several large-cap stocks are showing gains of over 5%, including Celltrion Healthcare (6.25%), HLB (5.29%), Kakao Games (5.37%), Pearl Abyss (5.00%), and Celltrion Pharm (5.45%).

The USD/KRW exchange rate fell to 1260 KRW per dollar shortly after the market opened due to overnight dollar weakness. As of now, it stands at 1263.80 KRW, down 0.19% from the previous close.

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