Samsung Electronics and SK hynix Rebound Together... KOSPI Fluctuates Around 4,070 [fn Afternoon Market Report]

[Financial News] Major semiconductor stocks, which plunged last Friday, rebounded in tandem today, pushing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) up by nearly 2%. As of 1:33 p.m. on the 17th, the KOSPI was trading at 4,076.46, up 64.89 points (1.62%) from the previous session. The index opened at 4,078.57, a 1.67% increase, and has maintained its upward momentum.
In the main stock market, foreign investors and institutions have purchased 379.5 billion won and 10.9 billion won worth of shares, respectively, while individual investors have net sold 389.9 billion won.
By sector, electronics and electrical equipment (3.72%), electricity and gas (2.70%), and medical and precision instruments (2.53%) are showing strong gains. In contrast, paper and wood (-2.16%), insurance (-1.85%), and transportation and warehousing (-1.33%) are declining.
Among the top market cap stocks, Samsung Electronics (3.14%), SK hynix (6.79%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (2.90%), and Hanwha Aerospace (1.99%) are trending upward. Meanwhile, LG Energy Solution (-0.32%), Hyundai Motor (-0.18%), and KB Financial Group (-2.20%) are showing weakness.
Last weekend, the U.S. stock market ended mixed as major big tech companies announced new investments despite concerns over high interest rates and overvaluation of artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. The S&P 500 Index fell 0.1%, while the NASDAQ Composite Index rose 0.1%. Today, the KOSPI rebounded, recovering from Friday's sharp decline in major semiconductor stocks and rising in tandem.
Lee Jae-won, a researcher at Shinhan Securities, stated, "Foreign investors, who had been net sellers throughout November, turned to net buyers today. The continuous rise in DRAM spot and contract prices contributed to the gains in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. In addition, the fact that Buffett's last investment was in Alphabet Inc. helped ease concerns over AI valuations."
At the same time, the KOSDAQ Index was trading at 901.72, up 3.82 points (0.43%) from the previous session. The index started the day at 904.15, a 0.7% increase from the previous close.
In the KOSDAQ market, individual investors purchased 122.3 billion won and institutions bought 17.1 billion won, driving the index higher, while foreign investors sold 84.1 billion won worth of shares.

[email protected] Ji-yeon Park Reporter