Won-Dollar Exchange Rate Hits 1325.7, Reaching Monthly High... KOSPI Closes Above 2550

On the 12th, the KOSPI closed above the 2550 level. The exchange rate hit a new yearly high as the won continued to weaken.

On that day, the KOSPI closed at 2550.64, up 2.78 points (0.11%) from the previous session. Foreign investors' net buying drove the index higher. Foreigners net purchased 214.3 billion won. Meanwhile, individuals and institutions net sold 91.6 billion won and 143.3 billion won, respectively.

Among the top market capitalization groups in the KOSPI market, Samsung Electronics showed a slight gain, closing up 0.15% at 66,000 won. LG Energy Solution fell 3.25%, dropping below the 600,000 won mark to close at 590,000 won. SK Hynix (-1.63%), Samsung Biologics (-1.48%), and LG Chem (-3.85%) also showed declines.

Hyundai Motor, which announced a massive investment of around 24 trillion won in the electric vehicle sector the previous day, closed up 3.18% at 198,200 won. Kia also showed a strong performance, closing up 1.29% at 86,100 won.

Kim Seok-hwan, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities, explained, "Ahead of the release of the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes, caution increased, leading to expanded profit-taking mainly in secondary battery and semiconductor stocks that had surged recently." He added, "While the KOSPI rose, the KOSDAQ fell, showing a mixed pattern." He further noted, "The automobile, steel, and machinery sectors showed strength. Expectations rose due to Hyundai Motor's 24 trillion won electric vehicle investment plan through 2030, and the machinery sector, including excavators, benefited from the Chinese government's expanded infrastructure investment."

On the same day, the KOSDAQ closed down 8.32 points (0.93%) at 890.62. Individuals and foreigners net bought 118.3 billion won and 65.3 billion won, respectively, but institutions sold 115.4 billion won.

EcoPro BM and EcoPro, ranked first and second in KOSDAQ market capitalization, both declined. EcoPro BM fell 6.28% to 276,000 won, and EcoPro dropped 16.78% in a single day to close at 640,000 won.

In particular, regarding EcoPro, whose stock price had recently soared, a sell rating report was issued for the first time in the securities industry on that day, which is interpreted as worsening investor sentiment. Kim Hyun-soo, a researcher at Hana Securities, said, "Currently, EcoPro's market capitalization exceeds the expected corporate value five years from now." He added, "It is a great company, but I judge that it is difficult to consider it a good stock at present," issuing a 'sell' rating. He emphasized, "It is a time that requires a thorough review of the appropriate value," and warned, "Both hasty chase buying (FOMO buying) and avoidance should be guarded against."

Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market on the same day, the won-dollar exchange rate closed at 1,325.7 won, up 3.5 won from the previous day's closing price. This surpassed the previous yearly high closing price of 1,324.2 won on the 10th of last month, marking the highest level this year.

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