The Kospi is showing an upward trend in the 2% range during early trading today (the 22nd), boosted by strength in U.S. semiconductor-related stocks.

As of 9:19 AM today, the Kospi stands at 7,157.13, up 149.41 points (2.13%) from the previous day.

The index opened at 7,161.61, up 153.89 points (2.20%) from the previous session, and briefly surged to 7,171.44 (+2.34%) in early trading.

In the main bourse, foreign investors and institutional investors have maintained a trend of net buying together for three consecutive sessions up to today, while individual investors are net sellers.

Currently, foreign and institutional investors are net buyers of 201.2 billion won and 161 billion won, respectively, jointly lifting the index.

Individual investors appear to be taking profits, recording a net sale of 465.7 billion won in the Kospi market.

Foreign investors also hold a buying advantage in the Kospi 200 futures market, with 106.4 billion won.

Overnight, Wall Street saw its three major stock indices rise together, driven by strength in artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks.

In particular, the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 2.3% from the previous session to close at 27,122.09, breaking its all-time high on a closing basis.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index also closed up 0.7% and 1.5%, respectively.

Looking at individual stocks, Meta's personal task-performing AI agent "Muse," launched on the 8th, sparked a craze by ranking first in the free app category of the Apple App Store, contributing to an 11.43% surge in its stock price.

As expectations for AI expansion and investment partially offset recent concerns over the "AI speed-control theory," AI-related stocks showed strong performance.

In particular, semiconductor companies AMD (9.95%) and Intel (12.14%) surged, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 4.29%.

Growing expectations for peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran overnight also injected vitality into investor sentiment.

Consequently, international oil prices continued their downward trend for four consecutive sessions, and Treasury yields also fell.

Ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, expectations of a summit-level meeting between the U.S. and Iran drove international oil prices down sharply.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for October delivery fell 4.5%, and Brent crude for November delivery declined 3.4%.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield, a benchmark for global interest rates, fell 2 bps (1 bp = 0.01 percentage point) to 4.972%.

Accordingly, the domestic stock market is also gaining upward momentum centered on large-cap semiconductor stocks.

Samsung Electronics is trading up 2.55% from the previous day at 281,000 won.

Its stock price, which opened 3.28% higher, briefly surged to 283,500 won (+3.47%) in early trading.

SK Hynix is up 3.32% at 1.93 million won.

Similarly, it started 2% higher and peaked at 1.935 million won (+3.59%) in early trading.

Among other top market-cap stocks, SK Square (3.02%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (6.58%), LG Energy Solution (0.43%), Hyundai Motor (1.39%), and Samsung C&T (1.50%) are rising.

Samsung Biologics (-0.07%), KB Financial Group (-1.32%), Shinhan Financial Group (-0.53%), Celltrion (-0.61%), and Hana Financial Group (-0.88%) are showing declines.

By sector, securities (3.97%), electrical and electronics (2.92%), and construction (2.48%) are posting high gains.

Food and tobacco (-0.57%), entertainment and culture (-0.40%), and pharmaceuticals (-0.23%) sectors are falling despite the bull market.

At the same time, the Kosdaq index is up 5.48 points (0.66%) at 841.75.

The index opened at 846.14, up 9.87 points (1.18%), and has maintained its upward momentum.

In the Kosdaq market, individuals are driving the index with 87.5 billion won in net purchases.

Foreigners and institutions hold a selling advantage of 71.7 billion won and 15.1 billion won, respectively.

Alteogen (0.20%), EcoPro (1.13%), and EcoPro BM (0.97%) are showing upward trends, while Eotechnics (-0.31%), Robotis (-0.16%), and HLB (-0.94%) are currently weak.
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)