KOSPI Fluctuates Around 2,560 Amid Cautious Investor Sentiment

by Lee Seungjin

Published 30 Apr.2025 09:31(KST)

On April 30, the domestic stock market opened with a slight downward trend. Despite the rally in the U.S. stock market overnight, investor sentiment remained cautious ahead of the May 1 Labor Day market closure, resulting in a lack of upward momentum.

As of 9:20 a.m. on this day, the KOSPI stood at 2,565.25, down 0.17 points (0.01%) from the previous trading day. The KOSPI had opened at 2,563.86, down 1.39 points (0.06%) from the previous session.

On the 25th, dealers are working in the dealing room at the Hana Bank headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. On this day, the KOSPI opened at 2,544.59, up 22.26 points (0.88%) from the previous trading day, the won/dollar exchange rate fell by 3.0 won to 1,432.0 won, and the KOSDAQ index started the session at 729.56, up 3.48 points (0.48%). 2025.4.25 Photo by Jo Yongjun

Top market capitalization stocks are showing mixed performance. Samsung Electronics, the leading semiconductor stock, is down 0.36%, while SK hynix has fallen 0.66%. Samsung Electronics preferred shares are up 0.56%. LG Energy Solution, Samsung Biologics, Hyundai Motor, and Celltrion are all seeing declines in their share prices. On the other hand, Hanwha Aerospace and Kia are on an upward trend.

Overnight in New York, all three major indexes rose simultaneously, buoyed by expectations of easing trade tensions. This optimism was driven by U.S. President Donald Trump's comments suggesting a possible relaxation of tariffs on auto parts and China's move to exempt U.S. ethane imports from tariffs.

However, the domestic market remains cautious, as the upcoming Labor Day holiday on May 1 will close the market, and major events such as the release of the U.S. Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) and earnings announcements from big tech companies are approaching.

Nevertheless, it is important to pay attention to potential stock price movements, as major industry-leading companies, including Samsung Electronics, are scheduled to announce their earnings today.

In the semiconductor sector, Samsung Electronics is set to release its divisional results, but the outlook for the memory semiconductor industry is expected to be a more significant factor than the earnings themselves. In the defense sector, Hanwha Aerospace's earnings are drawing attention. A key point to watch is whether the market funds that flowed into shipbuilding stocks following last week's earnings announcements will now move into the defense sector.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was at 726.37, down 0.09 points (0.01%) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ index had opened at 726.48, up 0.02 points (0.01%) from the previous session.

Among the top 10 KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, Alteogen, EcoPro BM, EcoPro, Rainbow Robotics, Hugel, PharmaResearch, Peptron, and LIG ChemBio are all experiencing declines. Only HLB is on an upward trend, while Classys is trading at the same price as the previous session.