KOSPI starts at around 4,660 with purchases from individuals and institutions... Leading cyclical stocks

Source: BlockMedia Original Title: [Market Opening] KOSPI Starts at 4,660 with Love Calls from Individuals and Institutions… Again ‘All-Time High’ Original Link: https://www.blockmedia.co.kr/archives/1031482 The KOSPI index is starting at the 4,660 level, showing a slight upward trend in the early trading hours amid buying from individuals and institutions. While cyclical and export-related stocks lead the index, large semiconductor stocks showed mixed movements within the flat range.

As of 9:20 AM on the 13th, according to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI index was up 35.76 points, (0.77%) higher than the previous trading day, recording 4,660.55. The index opened at 4,662.44, up 37.65 points, (0.81%) from the previous day’s close of 4,624.79.

Rise in KOSPI Driven by Buying from Individuals and Institutions

In the securities market, individuals bought approximately 111 billion won, while institutions also supported the demand with about 102 billion won. Meanwhile, foreigners sold around 220 billion won, taking profits.

By industry, cyclical and export-related sectors are leading the index with strength. Air freight transportation and logistics (+5.13%) saw the largest gains, followed by non-ferrous metals (+5.07%), IT services (+4.20%), auto parts (+3.88%), and automobiles (+3.75%). There is a broad influx of buying in transportation, manufacturing, and automotive sectors.

On the other hand, domestic and defensive sectors showed weakness. Healthcare companies and services (-0.80%), electrical equipment (-0.87%), construction (-1.29%), and publishing (-1.38%) declined, highlighting a clear sectoral temperature difference.

Top market cap stocks showed early strength in cyclical stocks and defense/shipbuilding stocks, while semiconductor stocks remained flat. Samsung Electronics slightly weakened by 100 won, (-0.07%) to 138,700 won, and SK Hynix traded at 744,000 won, down 5,000 won, (-0.67%), indicating a pause among large semiconductor stocks.

Automotive, shipbuilding, and defense stocks showed strong early gains. Hyundai Motor surged by 25,500 won, (+6.95%), to 392,500 won, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rose by 23,000 won, (+3.81%). Hanwha Aerospace continued its strength, rising 2.06%, and SK Square opened slightly higher with a 0.58% increase. Conversely, Doosan Enerbility fell by 2.61%, showing relative weakness among energy stocks.

Semiconductor, Shipbuilding, and Defense Momentum Continues… Profit Taking and Volatility as Variables

Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, commented, “The leading sectors such as semiconductors, shipbuilding, and defense still maintain their own momentum, driven by the benefits of the memory supercycle and geopolitical risk reflections.” However, he noted, “While the KOSPI is reaching an all-time high based on closing prices, intra-day fluctuations are widening, especially around semiconductors, which is characteristic of increased volatility,” adding, “This seems to reflect profit-taking desires following the high gains since the beginning of the year compared to major global markets.”

He further explained, “Despite the intra-day rebound in the US stock market, the domestic market is likely to experience high intra-day volatility with limited upper limits due to uncertainties stemming from Trump-related issues and cautiousness over December’s Consumer Price Index (CPI).”

KOSDAQ Slightly Down… Bio and Secondary Battery Sectors Under Pressure

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is down 2.60 points, (0.27%) to 947.11, compared to the previous trading day. It opened at 954.75, up 4.94 points, (0.52%) from the previous close of 949.81.

In the KOSDAQ market, individuals net bought 91.6 billion won, while foreigners and institutions net sold 68 billion won and 21.9 billion won, respectively.

Top KOSDAQ market cap stocks mostly showed weakness. Major biotech and secondary battery stocks such as Alteogen (-0.11%), EcoPro BM (-0.13%), EcoPro (-0.75%), and ABL Bio (-1.39%) declined together, adding pressure. HLB (-2.20%), LIG Nex1 (-1.19%), and Peptron (-2.17%) continued their downward trend.

Conversely, some stocks are attempting to rebound. Rainbow Robotics rose 0.56%, and Kolon TissueGene surged 3.98%, showing notable strength. Samchun Pharma also increased by 0.38%, fluctuating within the flat range.

In Seoul’s foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate opened at 1,468.5 won, up 0.1 won from the previous week’s closing of 1,468.4 won.