KOSPI Hits All-Time High in Two Days... Breaks Through 3460 Mark [fn Closing Market]

[Financial News] The KOSPI broke through the 3460 mark, once again reaching an all-time high. It continued its upward trend, led by major semiconductor stocks, following the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)'s decision to cut interest rates.
According to the Korea Exchange on the 18th, the KOSPI closed at 3461.30, up 47.90p (1.40%) from the previous day. This is the first time the index has broken through the 3460 mark.
On this day, the index started at 3432.77, up 19.37p (0.57%) from the previous trading day, expanded its gains, touched 3457.92 in the morning, setting a new high, and then surged before closing to break through the 3460 mark.
In the securities market, foreigners and institutions bought a net 341.8 billion won and 426.3 billion won, respectively, while individuals sold a net 843.7 billion won.
By industry, electrical/electronics (3.35%), securities (2.20%), and manufacturing (1.86%) showed strength, while metals (-1.54%), construction (-0.95%), and non-metals (-0.57%) showed weakness.
Among the top market cap stocks, SK Hynix (6.00%), Kakao (3.52%), and Samsung Electronics (2.69%) were on the rise, while Hanwha Ocean (-1.50%), KB Financial (-0.93%), and Hanwha Aerospace (-0.87%) were on the decline.
On this day, the KOSDAQ closed at 857.11, up 11.58p (1.37%) from the previous day. Foreigners and institutions bought 86.1 billion won and 159.9 billion won, respectively, while individuals sold 232.9 billion won.
Jung-eun Lim, a researcher at KB Securities, said, "Chairman Powell assessed that the deterioration of the labor market takes precedence over inflation and stated that the tariff impact would be short-term and one-off, indicating two more rate cuts this year," and predicted, "With the big event of the Fed's rate cut resumption concluded, attention will shift to tariff issues and third-quarter earnings forecasts."
 

koreanbae@fnnews.com Bae Hangul Reporter