KOSPI Ends Slightly Higher After Failing to Regain 5,800 Level; KOSDAQ Gains Over 1% [FN Market Close]

According to The Financial News, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) briefly reclaimed the 5,800 level during trading on the 20th but later gave up those gains and closed slightly higher. Heavy net selling of around 2.6 trillion won by foreign investors in the Stock Market Division of the Korea Exchange capped the index’s upside.
The KOSPI finished the session at 5,781.20, up 0.31% from the previous day. The index opened 0.87% higher at 5,813.35 and climbed to as high as 5,833.68, a gain of 1.22%, but it surrendered the 5,800 level in the middle of the session.
By investor type, foreigners put pressure on the KOSPI by recording net sales of 2.6489 trillion won in the Stock Market Division. In contrast, retail investors and institutions bought a net 2.2091 trillion won and 414.8 billion won, respectively, helping to support the index.
Most large-cap stocks by market capitalization were weak. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both ended lower, down 0.55% and 0.59%, respectively, while declines were more pronounced in Hanwha Aerospace (-4.00%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-3.13%) and Hyundai Mobis (-3.03%). On the other hand, Doosan Enerbility gained 3.10%, Samsung C&T rose 2.23% and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) advanced 1.76%.
By sector, construction jumped 6.59%, while textiles and apparel climbed 3.59% and retail added 3.24%. In contrast, transportation equipment and parts fell 1.69%, and entertainment and culture slipped 1.65%.
KOSDAQ (Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations) closed at 1,161.52, up 1.58%. In the KOSDAQ market, foreign investors were net buyers of about 200 billion won, while individuals and institutions posted net sales of 101.2 billion won and 92.5 billion won, respectively.
Among the top KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, Samchundang Pharm surged 14% to finish the day and rose to the No. 1 spot by market cap. The previous day, Samchundang Pharm had announced that it had completed submission of an Investigational New Drug application (IND) for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in Europe for its oral insulin. Korea Investment & Securities evaluated the disclosure on Samchundang Pharm’s oral insulin clinical trial as positive.

elikim@fnnews.com Kim Mi-hee Reporter