Boosted by overnight strength on Wall Street and the return of foreign investors, the Kospi rose more than 2% today, reclaiming the 6,890 level.

Today (September 18), the Kospi closed up 178.82 points (2.66%) at 6,894.23 compared to the previous session.

The index opened 170.29 points (2.54%) higher at 6,885.70, briefly climbing as high as 6,914.08 (2.96%) and recovering the 6,900 mark.

In the Kospi market, foreign investors and institutional investors net purchased 438.8 billion won and 1.5055 trillion won, respectively, while other corporations showed a buying advantage of 1.6602 trillion won.

On the other hand, retail investors net sold 3.5929 trillion won.

Foreign investors turned to net buyers for the first time in 8 trading sessions since the 8th.

Foreign investors also showed a buying advantage of 594.2 billion won in the Kospi 200 futures market.

The Kospi rebounded in just one day after holding firm with a slight decline (-0.04%) yesterday despite the U.S. Federal Reserve's hawkish benchmark interest rate hike.

Domestic stock markets today received upward pressure as the three major New York stock indices rebounded together amid declines in overnight U.S. Treasury yields and international oil prices.

Earlier overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.61%, while the S&P 500 index and Nasdaq index gained 1.14% and 1.69%, respectively.

As the Bank of England, the central bank of the U.K., froze its benchmark interest rate at 3.75% and government bond yields fell, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note also declined to the 4.9% range, improving investment sentiment in the stock market.

International oil prices continued their downward trend as concerns over crude oil supply disruptions in Saudi Arabia were partially eased.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures for October delivery finished 0.51% lower at 101.91 dollars.

In particular, technology stocks showed strength, with Nvidia (2.54%) and Micron Technology (5.50%) advancing, leading to a 3.14% increase in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index.

The domestic stock market also tended to expand its gains, centered around semiconductor stocks.

In particular, a massive influx of foreign buying pushed up stock prices.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's remarks that the company's chip sales next year are expected to double compared to this year also appear to have stimulated semiconductor investment sentiment.

During trading hours today, the Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points at its Monetary Policy Meeting.

As a result, Japan's benchmark interest rate reached its highest level in 31 years since 1995.

Among top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics (3.37%) rose to recover the 260,000 won level, and SK Hynix (6.42%) also surged to climb into the 1.85 million won range.

In addition, SK Square (7.04%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (4.36%), Hyundai Motor (0.55%), Samsung Biologics (0.14%), and Samsung Life Insurance (1.07%) also moved higher.

Conversely, banking stocks such as KB Financial Group (-2.40%) and Shinhan Financial Group (-2.82%), along with LG Energy Solution (-0.27%), Samsung C&T (-1.27%), and Hanwha Aerospace (-1.73%), declined.

By sector, electrical and electronics (4.46%), information technology (4.40%), and steel and materials (1.41%) advanced, while healthcare (-2.63%) and finance (-1.73%) retreated.

The Kosdaq index also finished up 4.94 points (0.60%) at 827.12, extending its winning streak to 4 consecutive sessions.

The Kosdaq index opened 10.54 points (1.28%) higher at 832.72 and briefly climbed to 833.57 (1.39%).

The upward momentum subsequently narrowed somewhat.

Retail and institutional investors net purchased 12.2 billion won and 21.7 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors recorded a selling advantage of 42.8 billion won.

Among major market cap stocks, EcoPro BM (2.14%), Jusung Engineering (0.74%), Rainbow Robotics (1.75%), Wonik IPS (2.97%), and Leeno Industrial (4.82%) gained.

On the other hand, Alteogen (-0.20%), EcoPro (-1.46%), and EO Technics (-1.95%) declined.

Trading values for the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) and Kosdaq markets on this day were tallied at 25.563 trillion won and 7.196 trillion won, respectively.

Trading volume for the pre-market and main market of the alternative trading system Nextrade totaled 9.0684 trillion won.

(Photo: Yonhap News)