KOSPI Continues Uptrend on Foreign and Institutional 'Buying'... Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix ↑

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[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] As semiconductor-related blue-chip stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix showed an upward trend, the KOSPI index also rose.

As of 11:11 a.m. on the 18th, the KOSPI index was recorded at 2,459.25, up 16.35 points (0.67%) from the previous trading day. The index started at 2,448.13 and has been increasing its gains since. Foreigners and institutions bought about 99.3 billion KRW and 44.4 billion KRW worth of stocks respectively, while individuals sold a net 145.8 billion KRW.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, semiconductor leader SK Hynix rose more than 2%, and Samsung Electronics also increased by 1.14%. LG Energy Solution (1.51%), Samsung SDI (1.29%), LG Chem (1.14%), and Samsung Biologics (1.03%) also showed gains. On the other hand, Kakao and Naver fell by 1.18% and 0.53%, respectively. Kia remained flat.

By industry sector, machinery (1.50%), electrical and electronics (1.21%), steel and metals (1.18%), transportation equipment (1.08%), construction (1.02%), and manufacturing (0.95%) rose in order. Service (-0.73%), non-metallic minerals (-0.29%), and food and beverage (-0.17%) sectors declined.

The U.S. stock market closed lower due to hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials. James Bullard, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, stated, "We are not yet in the territory where the policy rate can be considered sufficiently restrictive."

On the 17th (local time), the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 7.51 points (0.02%) to 33,546.32, the large-cap-focused S&P 500 index dropped 12.23 points (0.31%) to 3,946.56, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq index declined 38.70 points (0.35%) to 11,144.96.

Lee Jae-sun, a researcher at Hyundai Motor Securities, explained, "Semiconductor stocks performed relatively well in the U.S. stock market, and domestically, the supply and demand remain solid, centered on top semiconductor stocks. It seems that the market still has a wait-and-see sentiment, awaiting November's Consumer Price Index (CPI) and other data."

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index also showed an upward trend. It recorded 738.11, up 0.57 points (0.08%) from the previous trading day. The index started the day at 738.34, up 0.80 points (0.11%). Individuals and institutions bought about 61.3 billion KRW and 20.7 billion KRW respectively, while foreigners sold about 79.6 billion KRW.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, L&F (1.55%), Celltrion Healthcare (0.61%), HLB (0.41%), and EcoPro (0.32%) showed strength. Meanwhile, L&F and Kakao Games fell more than 2%, followed by Cheonbo (-1.18%), Pearl Abyss (-0.68%), and EcoPro BM (-0.63%).

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