KOSPI Reclaims 3,200 Mark... KOSDAQ Closes Up 1.98%

by Lee Seungjin

Published 25 Aug.2025 16:14(KST)

Driven by expectations of a U.S. interest rate cut and the upcoming South Korea-U.S. summit, the KOSPI surged over 1%, reclaiming the 3,200 mark. The KOSDAQ also rose nearly 2%.

On the 25th, the KOSPI closed at 3,209.86, up 41.13 points (1.30%) from the previous trading day. Foreign investors and institutions made net purchases of 26.8 billion won and 252 billion won, respectively, while individuals sold 386.9 billion won.

On the 25th, the KOSPI index opened at 3195.14, up 26.41 points from the previous trading day. Dealers are working in the dealing room at the Hana Bank headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. On the same day, the won-dollar exchange rate opened at 1385 won, down 8.2 won from the previous trading day. 2025.8.25 Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Global stock markets rallied across the board as Jerome Powell, Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, made remarks last weekend that heightened expectations for a rate cut in September.

In particular, securities stocks performed strongly on anticipation that a rate cut would inject liquidity into the stock market and act as a positive factor. Bukook Securities rose 9.98%, Hanwha Investment & Securities gained 5.90%, and Shin Young Securities increased by 5.17%.

Additionally, expectations for the South Korea-U.S. summit to be held early on the 26th further fueled the rally. Hopes that the summit may produce a plan for bilateral nuclear cooperation led to a sharp rise in nuclear-related stocks, including Doosan Enerbility, which jumped 5.95%.

Lee Sangheon, a researcher at iM Investment & Securities, stated, "At today's South Korea-U.S. summit, plans for nuclear-related cooperation and a revision of the South Korea-U.S. nuclear agreement are expected to be pursued. South Korea possesses strong business management, construction technology, and nuclear equipment manufacturing capabilities, making it an essential partner for the United States in the nuclear supply chain."

All of the top 10 KOSPI stocks by market capitalization saw gains. LG Energy Solution rose 3.4%, SK Hynix 3.39%, KB Financial Group 1.75%, Hanwha Aerospace 1.35%, Hyundai Motor 0.91%, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries 0.72%, Samsung Electronics (preferred shares) 0.34%, and Samsung Electronics 0.14%.

The KOSDAQ also closed at 798.02, up 15.51 points (1.98%) from the previous trading day.

Institutions and foreign investors purchased 79.2 billion won and 226.8 billion won, respectively, while individuals sold 284.1 billion won.

Among the top 10 KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, the robot-themed sector drew attention as a beneficiary of the Yellow Envelope Act, with Rainbow Robotics soaring 10.08%. Other notable gainers included ABL Bio (8.56%), Samchundang Pharm (5.02%), Legochem Bio (4.6%), Alteogen (3.79%), Ecopro BM (2.81%), and Ecopro (2.79%). HLB fell by 0.94%, and PharmaResearch declined by 0.86%.

On the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate closed at 1,385.5 won, down 4 won (0.03%) from the previous day.