KOSPI Hits Another Record High... Breaks 3,800 During Session on Hopes for Eased Trade Tensions [fn Afternoon Market Report]

[Financial News] The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) reached an all-time intraday high, driven by strong performances in major sectors such as semiconductors, defense industry, and biotechnology industry.
As of 2 p.m. on the 20th, the KOSPI was trading at 3,789.69, up 40.80 points (1.09%) from the previous session. The index opened at 3,775.40, a 0.71% increase, and at one point during the session surged to a record high of 3,803.86.
In the KOSPI Market, individual investors purchased 43.9 billion KRW and institutions bought 296.3 billion KRW, helping lift the index. Meanwhile, foreign investors showed a net selling position of 374.5 billion KRW.
By sector, securities (8.13%), finance (2.20%), and transportation equipment and parts (2.13%) were on the rise, while electricity and gas (-1.27%), distribution (-0.63%), and non-metallic minerals (-0.30%) declined.
Among the top market cap stocks, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (-0.51%) and LG Energy Solution (-1.15%) declined. In contrast, SK hynix (3.33%), Samsung Biologics (1.16%), Hyundai Motor (1.85%), and Hanwha Aerospace (4.11%) turned upward along with most other major stocks.
Last weekend, the U.S. stock market closed higher, as concerns over regional bank instability did not escalate into systemic risk, and optimism over a possible U.S.-China summit boosted risk appetite. This week, the U.S. is set to release its September Consumer Price Index (CPI) on the 24th.
Today, the domestic stock market is up more than 1%, buoyed by expectations of eased U.S.-China trade tensions and reduced credit risk, with Asian stock markets also showing strong gains.
Jaewon Lee, a researcher at Shinhan Securities Co., Ltd., stated, "Recently, risk appetite for assets has resumed as concerns over tariffs on China and credit risk—two factors that had prompted profit-taking in the domestic market—have eased. Sectors such as semiconductors, defense industry, and healthcare are rising, pushing the KOSPI past the 3,800 mark."
At the same time, the Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (KOSDAQ) was trading at 873.96, up 14.42 points (1.68%) from the previous session. The index started the day at 864.98, a 0.63% increase.
In the KOSDAQ market, foreign investors purchased 89.9 billion KRW and institutions bought 58.3 billion KRW. Individual investors, on the other hand, showed a net selling position of 135.5 billion KRW, taking profits.

nodelay@fnnews.com Park Ji-yeon Reporter