KOSPI Rises Above 6,200 in Early Trading... KOSDAQ Also Turns Upward

KOSPI Gains 0.43% on Institutional and Individual Buying
KOSDAQ Rebounds After Opening Lower

On April 20, the Korean stock market showed a strong upward trend in both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ indices in early trading. Ahead of the deadline for negotiations between the United States and Iran (set for the morning of April 22), investors are paying close attention to the potential for increased short-term volatility in the stock market.

As of 9:45 a.m. on the same day, the KOSPI index was trading at 6,218.25, up 26.33 points (0.43%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 6,213.92, up 22.00 points (0.36%), and then expanded its gains. Foreign investors recorded a net sell-off of KRW 274.7 billion. In contrast, institutional investors and individual investors recorded net purchases of KRW 103.7 billion and KRW 448.1 billion respectively, contributing to the index's upward momentum.

On the 20th, the KOSPI index started the day at 6213.92, up 22 points from the previous trading day. The domestic stock market index was displayed on the electronic board in the dealing room at the headquarters of Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul. On the same day, the won-dollar exchange rate began trading at 1479.5 won, down 4 won from the previous day. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

By sector, machinery and equipment (2.09%), paper and wood (1.37%), textiles and apparel (0.98%), electrical and electronics (0.65%), metals (0.63%), and general services (0.57%) rose. On the other hand, medical precision devices (-1.58%), electricity and gas (-1.36%), entertainment and culture (-1.36%), telecommunications (-1.34%), construction (-1.02%), and securities (-0.93%) showed weakness.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung SDI (4.48%), Doosan Enerbility (4.15%), SK Square (3.23%), LG Energy Solution (2.39%), SK hynix (2.13%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (1.95%) showed strong gains. Conversely, Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-1.03%), Hyundai Motor Company (-1.12%), Samsung Life Insurance (-0.79%), HD Hyundai Electric (-0.74%), Samsung Electronics (-0.58%), and Hanwha Ocean (-0.62%) declined.

Last week, the U.S. stock market surged on the positive news of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but the situation reversed again after the weekend. This is because, contrary to the announcement from Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has insisted on maintaining control over the strait, revealing internal division. During the weekend, there were reports of two Indian vessels being attacked and several ships turning back, indicating that the Strait of Hormuz has been re-blockaded.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 1,174.62, up 4.58 points (0.39%) from the previous trading day. KOSDAQ had opened at 1,167.10, down 2.94 points (0.25%), but turned upward during the session. Foreign investors and institutional investors recorded net sales of KRW 71.7 billion and KRW 72.8 billion, respectively, while individual investors recorded a net purchase of KRW 146.5 billion.

Among the top market capitalization stocks on KOSDAQ, Voronoi (12.54%), Robotis (3.66%), Alteogen (2.73%), HLB (1.91%), Ligachem Bio (1.82%), and Woori Technology (1.55%) gained ground. Conversely, Caregen (-2.07%), EO Technics (-0.96%), Classys (-0.69%), and Samchundang Pharm (-0.62%) weakened.

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