Institutions Make Massive 1.3 Trillion Won Purchases... KOSPI Fluctuates Around 4,090 Mark

With institutional investors making massive purchases exceeding 1 trillion won, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) is showing an upward trend of nearly 2%. As of 2 p.m. on the 22nd, the KOSPI was trading at 4,093.16, up 72.61 points (1.81%) from the previous session. The index opened at 4,096.26, up 1.88% from the previous close, and climbed as high as 4,104.39 during the session, reclaiming the 4,100 level intraday for the first time in five trading days.
In the KOSPI Market, institutional investors purchased 1.3746 trillion won worth of shares, driving the index higher. Foreign investors also bought 737 billion won, while individual investors sold a net 2.0726 trillion won, engaging in profit-taking.
By sector, electronics and electrical equipment (up 3.57%), medical and precision instruments (up 2.45%), and manufacturing (up 2.34%) saw gains. In contrast, textiles and apparel (down 1.14%), distribution (down 1.01%), and electricity and gas (down 0.7%) declined.
Among the top market cap stocks, Samsung Electronics (up 3.48%), SK hynix (up 5.48%), and LG Energy Solution (up 2.77%) all rose. On the other hand, Samsung Biologics (down 0.06%), Hyundai Motor Company (down 0.09%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (down 0.96%) posted losses.
On the 19th (local time), U.S. stock markets closed higher, buoyed by a rally in AI-related stocks. Micron Technology, Inc. hit a record high, while optimism over Nvidia Corporation's expected H200 sales to China and Oracle Corporation's completion of a TikTok U.S. unit contract contributed to the positive sentiment.
Han Ji-young, a researcher at KIWOOM Securities, stated, "Micron Technology, Inc.'s super surprise earnings late last week and the November CPI, which did not further heighten inflation uncertainty, have helped alleviate negative sentiment in the market." She added, "Domestically, the upcoming dividend record date on the 26th could spur increased demand for dividend investment, which is also worth noting."
At the same time, the Korea Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (KOSDAQ) was trading at 928.63, up 13.36 points (1.46%) from the previous session. The index started at 923.07, up 0.95% from the previous close, and its gains widened throughout the session.
In the KOSDAQ market, individual investors showed a net buying advantage of 130 billion won. Institutional investors also purchased 29.7 billion won, while foreign investors sold 34.8 billion won worth of shares.

nodelay@fnnews.com Park Ji-yeon Reporter