KOSPI rebounds to 5,200 level on 1.8 trillion won in retail buying [Afternoon Market Brief]

According to The Financial News, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed back to the 5,200 level, supported by nearly 2 trillion won in net purchases by individual investors.
As of 2:20 p.m., the KOSPI was trading at 5,208.68, up 37.87 points, or 0.73%, from the previous session. The index opened 1.40% higher at 5,243.42 and rose intraday to 5,252.61 before turning lower, but it has since moved back up.
In the KOSPI market, individual investors alone have bought 1.899 trillion won worth of shares, driving the index higher. In contrast, foreign investors and institutions have been net sellers, offloading 1.5568 trillion won and 351.8 billion won, respectively.
By sector, securities (8.84%), machinery and equipment (2.84%), electricity and gas (2.56%), metals (2.53%), finance (2.38%), and IT services (2.06%) are showing strong gains. Pharmaceuticals (-0.90%), paper and wood (-0.18%), and entertainment and culture (-0.13%) are weaker.
Among large-cap stocks by market capitalization, SK hynix (2.50%), Hyundai Motor (2.94%), SK Square (4.76%), Hanwha Aerospace (2.14%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (0.51%), Doosan Enerbility (2.28%), and Kia (3.07%) are advancing. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics (-0.99%), LG Energy Solution (-3.48%), and Samsung Biologics (-0.45%) are declining.
The KOSPI started the session strong, breaking above the 5,200 mark for the first time ever, but then turned lower. The reversal was driven by profit-taking after SK hynix and Samsung Electronics released their preliminary results for last year on the previous day and today, respectively. However, bargain hunting led mainly by retail investors has helped the index recover and move higher again.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ was trading at 1,155.07, up 21.55 points, or 1.90%, from the previous session. The index opened at 1,153.43, up 19.91 points, or 1.76%.
In the KOSDAQ market, institutions and foreign investors are net buyers of 1.6872 trillion won and 120.8 billion won, respectively. Individual investors, on the other hand, are net sellers of 1.6898 trillion won.

yimsh0214@fnnews.com Reporter Im Sang-hyuk Reporter