KOSPI hits another all-time high despite U.S. market decline [Morning Market Brief]

[Financial News] The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) has broken its all-time record again just one day after the previous high.
As of 11:21 a.m. on the 13th, the KOSPI was trading at 5,546.35, up 24.08 points (0.44%) from the previous session. The index opened at 5,513.71, down 8.56 points (0.16%) from the prior close, then fluctuated before turning higher.
At one point during the session, it climbed to 5,558.82, surpassing the previous all-time high of 5,522.27 set the day before.
Retail investors were net buyers of 625.2 billion won, helping to lift the index. Foreign investors and institutions showed net selling of 517.7 billion won and 144.0 billion won, respectively.
Among large-cap stocks by market capitalization, Samsung Electronics (up 1.29%), SK hynix (0.23%), SK Square (1.23%), KB Financial Group (0.30%) and Doosan Enerbility (2.72%) were advancing. In contrast, Hyundai Motor (down 1.19%), LG Energy Solution (2.56%), Samsung Biologics (0.41%) and Kia (0.48%) were weaker.
By sector, securities, telecommunications, financials, entertainment and culture, machinery and equipment, and utilities such as electricity and gas were showing strength. Retail, metals, IT services, textiles and apparel, chemicals and pharmaceuticals were declining.
Overnight, the U.S. stock market fell across the board amid heavy selling in sectors seen as threatened by artificial intelligence (AI). Investors grew increasingly concerned that advances in AI could undermine existing business models.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dropped 1.34%. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500) and the Nasdaq Composite Index also closed down 1.57% and 2.03%, respectively.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 1,107.06, down 18.93 points (1.68%) from the previous session. It had opened at 1,113.53, down 12.46 points (1.11%) from the prior close.

jisseo@fnnews.com Seo Min-ji Reporter