KOSPI closes up 1% at 5,350 level; LG Electronics hits new 52-week high [fn Closing Market]

[Financial News] The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) finished more than 1% higher, supported by simultaneous net buying from foreign investors and institutions.
On the 11th, the KOSPI closed at 5,354.49, up 52.80 points (1.00%) from the previous session. The index opened lower but soon turned positive, at one point surging to 5,374.23 during intraday trading, coming close to the intraday record high of 5,376.92 set on the 4th.
However, gains were capped by selling from retail investors. While foreigners and institutions posted net purchases of 849 billion won and 689.6 billion won, respectively, individuals alone were net sellers of 1.7146 trillion won.
LG Electronics hit a new 52-week high both intraday and at the close, driven by expectations for stronger competitiveness in physical artificial intelligence (AI). LG Electronics ended the session at 127,900 won, up 23,900 won (22.98%) from the previous day, after climbing as high as 128,700 won during trading.
Park Kang-ho, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said, "The competitiveness of AI Exaone is diversifying its portfolio from home robots to industrial robots," adding, "Equity investments in ROBOTIS, Robostar and Bear Robotics will further enhance its differentiated competitiveness."
Among other large caps, Samsung Electronics rose 1.21%, Hyundai Motor 5.93%, LG Energy Solution 0.38%, Samsung Biologics 0.12% and Kia 4.59%. In contrast, SK hynix fell 1.83%, SK Square 2.03% and Hanwha Aerospace 1.40%.
By sector, telecommunications, transportation equipment and parts, insurance, IT services, construction, finance and pharmaceuticals advanced, while paper and wood, medical and precision instruments, textiles and apparel, securities and metals declined.
The KOSDAQ ended slightly lower. The KOSDAQ index closed at 1,114.87, down 0.33 points (0.03%) from the previous session.
Lim Jung-eun, an analyst at KB Securities, noted, "In the domestic stock market, sector rotation continues to center on industries with high earnings visibility and on domestic demand and consumer names such as convenience stores and retailers," adding, "On expectations for stronger shareholder returns, financial holding companies, holding firms and telecom stocks also showed solid performance."
She added, "As hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve System (Fed) officials continue and the release of U.S. January employment data is scheduled for tonight, investors should be mindful of heightened short-term volatility."

jisseo@fnnews.com Seo Min-ji Reporter