KOSPI Rises Over 2% Intraday on Strong Institutional Buying

As expectations rise for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the domestic stock market climbed while the won/dollar exchange rate started lower. On the 17th, employees were conducting business in the dealing room at the Seoul Hana Bank headquarters. On this day, the KOSPI opened at 5,711.80, up 161.95 points (2.92%) from the previous day. The won/dollar exchange rate fell 7.5 won to 1,490.0 won, and the KOSDAQ opened at 1,156.83, up 18.54 points (1.63%). March 17, 2026 Photo by Cho Yongjun

The KOSPI is showing strong gains in the 2% range during intraday trading, supported by institutional buying.

As of 10:16 a.m. on March 17, the KOSPI was trading at 5,683.09, up 2.4% from the previous day.

By investor type, institutions recorded a net purchase of 165.1 billion won, while foreigners and individual investors posted net sales of 63 billion won and 90.1 billion won, respectively. In the futures market, institutions recorded a net sale of 317.7 billion won, whereas foreigners and individual investors showed net purchases of 246.3 billion won and 91 billion won, respectively.

All industry sectors are showing strength. The electrical and electronics sector is up 2.98%, electricity and gas 2.83%, chemicals 2.6%, manufacturing 2.51%, pharmaceuticals 2.1%, insurance 1.85%, financials 1.89%, construction 1.89%, telecommunications 1.8%, IT services 1.67%, transport equipment 1.57%, transportation and storage 1.62%, medical precision 1.45%, and entertainment and culture 1.37% are all posting gains.

Most of the KOSPI's large-cap stocks are also on the rise. Samsung Electronics is up 3.87%, SK Hynix 2.16%, Hyundai Motor 4.74%, LG Energy Solution 1.5%, SK Square 5.69%, Samsung Biologics 1.21%, Doosan Enerbility 0.09%, Kia 3.64%, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries 0.86%, KB Financial Group 0.94%, Samsung C&T 1.44%, and Celltrion 2.5% are all advancing.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is also trending upward. The KOSDAQ index is trading at 1,154.35, up 1.41% from the previous day. By investor type, institutions and foreign investors have net bought 42.4 billion won and 25.5 billion won, respectively, while individual investors have net sold 37.4 billion won.

Most of the KOSDAQ's large-cap stocks are also gaining. Ecopro is up 2.54%, Alteogen 1.83%, Ecopro BM 0.88%, Samchundang Pharm 3.7%, Rainbow Robotics 2.22%, ABL Bio 3.53%, Kolon TissueGene 0.97%, Lino Tech 0.27%, Rigakem Bio 8.46%, Peptron 2.69%, and HLB 5.23% are among the notable gainers.

Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won/dollar exchange rate is trading at 1,493.4 won, up 1.3 won from the previous day.

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