▲ The KOSPI and the won-dollar exchange rate are displayed on the electronic board of the dealing room at the Hana Bank headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 19th. The KOSPI opened plunging over 3%, but is narrowing its losses in early trading.
The KOSPI oscillated between gains and losses during trading on the 19th, searching for direction.
As of 11:10 a.m. on this day, the KOSPI stood at 5,638.93, down 29.12 points (0.51%).
The index opened at 5,488.41, down 179.64 points (3.17%), but narrowed its losses and turned higher after 10 a.m., briefly touching the 5,705 level, up 0.66% from the previous session.
However, it has since retreated again, maintaining a back-and-forth battle.
Foreigners, who showed net buying in early trading, shifted direction to a net selling of 64.5 billion won in the main bourse.
While individuals are also maintaining a selling dominance of 538 billion won, institutions, spearheaded by the National Pension Service, are net buyers of 360 billion won.
In the KOSPI 200 futures market, institutions are net sellers of 170 billion won, while foreigners and individuals are net buyers of 200 billion won and 80 billion won, respectively.
The index slumped in early trading as New York equities fell across the board late last week due to lingering concerns over the profitability of AI infrastructure investments, alongside rising international oil prices driven by the Middle East situation. However, the losses were trimmed as bargain hunting flowed in.
Kang Jin-hyuk, a researcher at Shinhan Securities, analyzed, "Linked to the rebound in U.S. futures, bargain hunting recovered the 5,600 line, with net buying from foreign investors in futures and non-non-unsynchronized program trading flowing in," adding, "It is holding its ground well as sector rotation continues in secondary batteries and biotechnology fueled by ESS (Energy Storage Systems) momentum."
Although the Nasdaq index fell 2.15% in New York equities late last week, Nasdaq 100 futures are currently rising in the 1% range, adding warmth to investment sentiment.
At this hour, Samsung Electronics is showing a decline in the 0.3% range, and SK Hynix in the 3% range.
Among top market capitalization stocks, Hyundai Motor (2.08%), Samsung Biologics (7.09%), and Samsung Life Insurance (0.21%) are rising, while SK Square (-4.08%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-5.39%), and KB Financial Group (-0.12%) are declining.
In particular, expectations for expanding demand for ESS originating from North America are growing, causing secondary battery-related stocks to surge significantly. Samsung SDI (7.17%), LG Energy Solution (4.59%), SK Innovation (4.28%), and POSCO Future M (7.17%) are showing meaningful upward trends.
Looking at sector-specific indices, a considerable number were on a downward trend in early trading, but some have turned upward.
Pharmaceuticals (3.10%) are rising the most, followed by metals (1.80%), entertainment/culture (1.16%), IT services (1.08%), and chemicals (0.92%).
On the other hand, medical/precision equipment (-6.73%) is declining sharply, followed by machinery/equipment (-2.08%), electrical/electronics (-1.16%), construction (-1.32%), securities (-1.25%), and finance (-1.13%).
The KOSDAQ, which opened down 21.72 points (2.73%) at 773.06 on this day, also clawed back some of its losses, standing at 786.82, down 7.96 points (1.00%) at the same hour.
While foreigners alone are net selling 100 billion won, institutions and individuals are net buyers of 16 billion won and 80 billion won, respectively.
Among top market cap stocks, secondary battery-related stocks EcoPro (5.90%) and EcoPro BM (4.49%) are showing strength.
Rainbow Robotics (2.27%) turned upward, whereas Alteogen (-0.85%), Jusung Engineering (-5.37%), and HLB (-0.72%) are declining.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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