KOSPI and KOSDAQ Close Higher Thanks to FOMC...Semiconductors and Batteries Show Strength

The KOSPI and KOSDAQ closed higher on the 2nd. On the 1st (local time), the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) kept interest rates unchanged as expected by the market, and Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell's less hawkish remarks significantly boosted investor sentiment. In particular, foreign investors and institutions showed strong buying momentum in both markets, driving the indices upward. Stocks in the semiconductor and battery sectors surged significantly.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the KOSPI was displayed on the status board in the dealing room of Hana Bank's headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. On that day, the KOSPI closed at 2,343.12, up 41.56 points (1.81%) from the previous session. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The KOSPI closed at 2343.12, up 1.81% (41.56 points) from the previous day. The KOSPI started the day at 2334.96, up 1.45% (33.40 points), and maintained its upward trend.

Foreign investors and institutions showed solid buying with net purchases of 141.4 billion KRW and 272.8 billion KRW, respectively. In contrast, individual investors sold a net 436.9 billion KRW. In the futures market, only institutions bought, acquiring 345.6 billion KRW, while individuals and foreign investors sold 76 billion KRW and 214.3 billion KRW, respectively.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

All of the top 10 companies by market capitalization closed higher. Notable gains included POSCO Holdings +6.21%, Samsung SDI +5.99%, LG Chem +5.68%, and SK Hynix +4.16%. Samsung Electronics, the largest by market cap, touched 70,000 KRW intraday but closed at 69,700 KRW, up 1.60%. Meanwhile, Young Poong Paper, which had its trading suspension lifted due to stock manipulation, recorded its sixth consecutive day at the lower limit, becoming the longest-running lower limit stock since the trading restriction changes.

The KOSDAQ closed at 772.84, up 4.55% (33.61 points) from the previous day. It started the day at 753.37, up 1.91% (14.14 points), and extended its gains. Foreign investors and institutions drove the index with net purchases of 278.6 billion KRW and 192.8 billion KRW, respectively. Individual investors sold a net 497.2 billion KRW.

Among the top 10 companies by market capitalization, only Celltrion Healthcare (-0.15%) and Pearl Abyss (-0.53%) closed lower. EcoPro BM and L&F surged 15.06% and 12.44%, respectively, ranking among the top gainers. Other notable gainers included EcoPro +8.71%, Alteogen +8.60%, and HPSP +7.79%.

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