'Battle for 2400 Level' KOSPI Ends Higher on Individual Investors' 'Buying'... Recovers to 2410 Level

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The KOSPI index, which had been battling around the 2400 level, closed slightly higher due to individual investors' buying dominance. The KOSDAQ index was driven upward by foreign investors buying alone.

On the 27th, the KOSPI index closed at 2415.53, up 2.57 points (0.11%) from the previous trading day. The index started trading at 2412.52, down 0.44 points (0.02%) from the previous close, then widened its losses and fluctuated around the 2400 level. However, it reduced its losses toward the end of the session, eventually turning positive and settling above the 2410 level, marking a third consecutive day of gains. Individual investors led the rise with net purchases worth approximately 212.5 billion KRW, while foreign and institutional investors net sold about 118.5 billion KRW and 55 billion KRW, respectively.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Biologics rose 1.57%, showing the largest gain. This was followed by NAVER (0.41%) and Samsung Electronics (0.16%). On the other hand, Kia (-2.06%) recorded the largest decline, followed by Samsung SDI (-1.24%), Kakao (-0.69%), SK Hynix (-0.50%), and LG Chem (-0.35%). LG Energy Solution, which accounts for 86% of the listed shares and had its 6-month lock-up period lifted, fell more than 2% during the session but narrowed its losses in the afternoon to close down 0.13%. Hyundai Motor remained flat.

By sector, pharmaceuticals (1.44%), electric and gas utilities (0.73%), construction (0.71%), telecommunications (0.55%), paper and wood (0.53%), chemicals (0.52%), and machinery (0.36%) showed gains. Conversely, medical services (-1.36%), services (-0.57%), transportation equipment (-0.42%), food and beverages (-0.37%), and distribution (-0.29%) declined.

Analysis suggests that the domestic stock market showed a cautious stance ahead of the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) is expected to implement a giant step by raising the benchmark interest rate by 0.75 percentage points at the FOMC. Huh Jae-hwan, a researcher at Eugene Investment & Securities, said, "The market seems to be digesting the burden of the Fed's policy, but it does not feel like there is strong momentum for a rebound," adding, "It is still a cautious phase ahead of the FOMC." Kim Seok-hwan, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities, explained, "Since the big event of the FOMC remains, significant movements are expected to occur afterward," and noted, "The narrowing losses of LG Energy Solution, a top market capitalization stock, also seemed to have influenced the index."

The KOSDAQ index closed at 795.70, up 5.77 points (0.73%) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ index started trading at 789.16, down 0.77 points (0.10%) from the previous close, but turned positive early in the session and recovered above the 790 level. Foreign investors led the rise by purchasing about 42.3 billion KRW, while individual and institutional investors net sold approximately 7.1 billion KRW and 33.9 billion KRW, respectively.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Celltrion Healthcare rose more than 3%, and Celltrion Pharm also increased by 2.07%. This was followed by HLB (1.11%) and L&F (0.31%). On the other hand, Pearl Abyss (-1.73%), Kakao Games (-1.49%), Alteogen (-0.44%), Chunbo (-0.39%), Studio Dragon (-0.26%), and EcoPro BM (-0.09%) recorded declines.

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