KOSPI Composite Index and KOSDAQ market both jump 3% on hopes for U.S.–Iran talks [fn Afternoon Market Report]

[The Financial News] The KOSPI Composite Index and KOSDAQ market were both climbing on the 15th, boosted by expectations for ceasefire talks between the United States of America (U.S.) and Iran. News that the U.S. and Iran could resume face-to-face negotiations within as little as two days prompted foreign investors and institutions to turn net buyers.
As of 2:00 p.m., the KOSPI Composite Index was trading at 6,151.02, up 3.07% from the previous session. The index opened at 6,141.60, a gain of 2.91% from the prior close, and at one point climbed as high as 6,183.21.
In the Stock Market Division, foreign investors and institutions were net buyers of 601.8 billion won and 91.0 billion won, respectively. In contrast, individual investors were net sellers of more than 1 trillion won.
Large-cap stocks by market capitalization were broadly stronger. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix were up 3.63% and 5.26%, trading at 214,000 won and 1,161,000 won, respectively. SK Square (up 6.09%) and Samsung Electro-Mechanics (up 5.82%) were also on an upward trend.
By sector, construction (up 6.54%), IT services (up 4.52%), and electrical and electronics (up 3.77%) were gaining. Real estate (down 1.88%), paper and lumber (down 1.34%), and securities (down 1.00%) were declining.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ market was trading at 1,155.81, up 3.02% from the previous session. In the KOSDAQ market, foreign investors and institutions were net buyers of 77.2 billion won and 126.7 billion won, respectively, while individual investors were net sellers of 165.8 billion won.
Kang Jinhyuk, senior researcher at Shinhan Securities, noted, "The successful talks between Israel and Lebanon, along with President Donald Trump's mention of the possibility of a second face-to-face negotiation, are raising expectations that Middle East risks will ease," adding, "The market has already recovered 92% of the decline triggered by the Iran situation."

elikim@fnnews.com Kim Mi-hee Reporter