The KOSDAQ index started at 866.08 in 2024 and finished at 678.19. The annual decline rate of the KOSDAQ index was 21.7%, marking the lowest among major global stock indices. However, despite the sluggishness of the KOSDAQ market, there were certain stocks that recorded significant price increases.
According to Orbis Investment Advisors on the 31st, the stock with the highest price increase in the KOSDAQ market this year was GENIC. When considering the KOSPI market as well, it still ranks first. The stock price of GENIC soared from 3,600 won at the beginning of the year to 22,950 won by year-end, an increase of 6.4 times.
GENIC is a mask pack and basic cosmetics manufacturer established in 2001, known for its development and production (ODM) capabilities. As GENIC's customer brand mask pack products soared to become bestsellers on Amazon, the world's largest e-commerce platform, its stock price surged.
In the KOSDAQ market, not only GENIC but also the growth of cosmetics and beauty stocks was prominent, thanks to the 'K-beauty' craze. SILICON2 also recorded a stock price increase of 324.1% throughout the year. Additionally, stock prices for ▲ Pharma Research saw a 142.2% increase, ▲ VT rose by 141.7%, ▲ CLASSYS increased by 26.2%, and ▲ COSMAX went up by 18.2%.
In the KOSDAQ market, the stock price of Taesung, listed on the KOSDAQ, rose more than sixfold from 3,905 won at the beginning of the year to 24,050 won by year-end. The increase in demand for Taesung's glass substrate business, driven by the growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor market, stimulated investor sentiment.
Furthermore, the stock price of Orient Precision, associated with Lee Jae-Myung, leader of the Democratic Party, rose 450.7% annually. The annual stock price increase rates for secondary battery material companies Central Advanced Materials and Finno were 307.3% and 241.4%, respectively. Stock prices for Techwing, a high bandwidth memory (HBM) testing equipment company, and Alteogen, a bio firm that became a leading stock in the KOSDAQ market, also tripled over the year.
Of course, not all investors in stocks with high price increases have benefited. For example, while Taesung's stock price has risen sixfold compared to the beginning of the year, it has halved from its peak of 45,750 won in October. The burdens stemming from Taesung's rights offering have impacted the stock's performance.
Among the 2,358 investors who invested in Taesung through NH Investment & Securities, only 22.26% recorded a profit as of the 27th. 77.74% are reporting valuation losses. The average investment return rate is also at 1.88%.
On the contrary, the stock that experienced the largest decline in the KOSDAQ market was PCL. The stock price fell from 3,560 won at the beginning of the year to 554 won by year-end. The fallout from allegations that PCL's saliva-based COVID-19 self-diagnosis kit clinical test results were manipulated had a significant impact.
Significant declines in the KOSDAQ market throughout the year include ▲ Point Mobile at -84%, ▲ Quantum On at -82.5%, ▲ Geumyang at -80.6%, ▲ Clinomics at -79.7%, and ▲ MAXST at -79.4%.