KOSPI Hits Intraday Record High... Individuals Make Massive 1 Trillion Won Purchases [fn Afternoon Market Report]

[Financial News] As the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged past the 4,620 mark during intraday trading, individual investors have been net buyers of over 1 trillion won. As of 2:20 p.m. on the 8th, the KOSPI was trading at 4,061.62, up 50.56 points (1.11%) from the previous session. The index opened at 4,531.46, down 0.43% from the previous close, but quickly reversed course and is now maintaining gains of over 1%.
Today, the KOSPI climbed as high as 4,622.32, touching the 4,620 level for the first time ever. On the previous day, July 7, it reached 4,611.72, breaking through the 4,600 mark for the first time in history.
In the KOSPI Market, individuals have net purchased 1.1163 trillion won, driving the index higher. In contrast, foreign investors and institutions have been net sellers, offloading 612.4 billion won and 741.6 billion won, respectively.
By sector, pharmaceuticals (up 3.50%), transportation equipment and parts (up 2.49%), and manufacturing (up 1.30%) posted gains, while insurance (down 2.47%), non-metallic minerals (down 2.10%), and textiles and apparel (down 2.02%) declined.
Among the top stocks by market capitalization, Samsung Electronics was trading at 141,600 won, up 0.43% from the previous session. SK Hynix also rose 3.64% to 769,000 won. Samsung Biologics (up 6.45%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (up 5.57%), and Hanwha Aerospace (up 8.61%) recorded significant gains. On the other hand, LG Energy Solution (down 1.48%), Hyundai Motor Company (down 2.85%), and Kia Corporation (down 3.94%) declined.
Today’s KOSPI rally was fueled by news that Samsung Electronics posted an operating profit of 20 trillion won in the fourth quarter of last year, along with strong performances from shipbuilding, defense, and industrial stocks, driving the index to a new all-time high.
Jaewon Lee, a researcher at Shinhan Securities, stated, "Samsung Electronics achieved record quarterly results, surpassing expectations with sales of 93 trillion won and an operating profit of 20 trillion won. There are no concerns about future earnings, and bargain hunting has led both Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to new record highs."
He added, "Large-cap exporters such as semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding are leading the market, resulting in continued record highs for the index due to a concentration in large-cap stocks. With the employment report set to be released tomorrow as a short-term inflection point, attention will shift to corporate earnings afterward."
At the same time, the Korea Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (KOSDAQ) was trading at 946.69, down 0.70 points (0.07%) from the previous session. The index opened at 950.71, down 0.35% from the previous close, and has been fluctuating within a narrow range.
In the KOSDAQ market, individuals and institutions have purchased 104.8 billion won and 45.1 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors have sold 138 billion won.

nodelay@fnnews.com Park Ji-yeon Reporter