KOSPI Closes Above 4,100 on Institutional and Foreign Buying... Up 0.81% [fn Closing Market]

[Financial News] The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) successfully closed above the 4,100 mark on the 11th, driven by buying from institutional and foreign investors. The market was influenced by expectations for an end to the United States federal government shutdown and optimism surrounding semiconductor stocks.
On this day, the KOSPI finished at 4,106.39, up 33.15 points (0.81%) from the previous session. The index opened at 4,124.30, a rise of 51.06 points (1.25%), and at one point in the morning climbed as high as 4,187.46, but gains narrowed in the afternoon.
Net purchases by institutional and foreign investors fueled the rise. In the domestic stock market, institutional investors bought 223.6 billion won and foreign investors purchased 78.3 billion won. In contrast, individual investors sold 282.8 billion won.
Among the top 14 stocks by market capitalization, semiconductor stocks stood out. Samsung Electronics gained 3.08% to close at 103,700 won, while SK hynix rose 2.31% to 620,000 won. LG Energy Solution (up 1.72%), KB Financial Group (up 0.93%), and Kia Corporation (up 1.58%) also finished higher. On the other hand, Hyundai Motor (down 0.37%), Doosan Enerbility (down 1.63%), and Hanwha Aerospace (down 1.87%) declined.
By sector, electricity and gas (up 5.92%), textiles and apparel (up 4.89%), and electrical and electronics (up 2.29%) showed strong performances. In contrast, entertainment and culture (down 5.48%), securities (down 3.05%), and food, beverage, and tobacco (down 1.47%) were weak.
Expectations for an end to the United States federal government shutdown appear to have improved foreign investor sentiment. Foreign investors had been net sellers from the 3rd to the 10th, but turned to net buyers on this day.
Lee Jae-won, a researcher at Shinhan Securities, stated, "Foreign investors had been net sellers, but today turned to net buyers, with a clear reduction in selling volume." He explained, "Semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix benefited the most from expectations of a 'supercycle.'"
He added, "The announcement of various economic indicators, such as U.S. consumer prices following the end of the shutdown, and Nvidia Corporation's earnings on the 20th, are two key turning points." He pointed out, "After confirming the economic indicators, the possibility of a rate cut in December will be assessed, and after Nvidia Corporation's earnings, attention should be paid to whether the debate over an artificial intelligence (AI) bubble will further subside."
The KOSDAQ Index closed at 884.27, down 4.08 points (0.46%) from the previous session. The index opened at 893.91, up 5.56 points (0.62%) from the previous close.
In the KOSDAQ market, individual and foreign investors were net buyers of 77.1 billion won and 16.3 billion won, respectively. Conversely, institutional investors sold 82.2 billion won.


yimsh0214@fnnews.com Im Sang-hyuk Reporter