On the morning of Oct. 23, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ indices are displayed on the dealing room status board at Hana Bank's main branch in Jung-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

On the 23rd, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose more than 1% during trading.

According to the Korea Exchange, as of 11:23 a.m. on this day, the KOSPI index showed a gain of 33.82 points (1.41%) from the previous trading day, reaching 2437.39. The index started strong, rising 19.21 points (0.8%) from the closing price on the 20th to 2423.36, and even surpassed 2440 during trading.

Institutions led the index rise with a net purchase of over 168 billion won. Foreign investors also joined in with net purchases worth 92.4 billion won. Individuals had a net sale of 296.4 billion won.

Market sentiment improved as the U.S. stock market rose following a lower-than-expected November Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index last week (on the 20th). The strong dollar has also stalled, with the exchange rate recorded at 1448.40 won, down 0.1 won from the previous trading day.

By sector, the stocks of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, the top two by market capitalization in the KOSPI, are all rising. The resolution of uncertainties regarding the U.S. government's semiconductor subsidies influenced this rise. Hanmi Semiconductor is also showing strength.

Financial stocks such as KB Financial Group, Shinhan Financial Group, and Meritz Financial Group are also rising. Additionally, news that Shinsegae Group Chairman Jeong Yong-jin met with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as the first domestic corporate leader has led to gains in Shinsegae I&C, Shinsegae Food, and other Shinsegae Group stocks.

However, stocks like LG Energy Solution, Kia, and Naver (NAVER) are experiencing weakness. The stock price of Naver has dropped by more than 3%.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index rose by 10.62 points (1.59%) to 678.93. The index started at 674.26, up 5.95 points (0.89%), and is increasing its gains. Foreign investors are driving the index rise with a net purchase of 52.3 billion won.

By sector, most of the top stocks by market capitalization in the KOSDAQ, excluding Ecopro, Hugel, and Shinsung Delta Tech, are rising, including Alteogen, Rigakin Biopharma, Rino Industry, and Classys.