On the 24th, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix showed sluggish trends, leading the KOSPI index to close slightly lower. This is interpreted as being influenced by the drop in the stock prices of major semiconductor stocks such as NVIDIA and Broadcom on the previous trading day at the New York Stock Exchange. On the same day, the KOSDAQ index also closed lower.
On that day, the KOSPI index closed at 2,645.27, down 9.31 points (0.35%) from the previous trading day. In the securities market, foreign investors sold a net 200.1 billion won, institutions sold a net 91.7 billion won, and individual investors alone purchased a net 192.6 billion won. Other corporations, including general companies' stock buybacks, also saw a net purchase of 100 billion won.
By individual stocks, the decline of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix was prominent. Samsung Electronics closed at 57,300 won, down 1.55% from the previous trading day, while SK hynix closed down 2.15% at 205,000 won during the same period.
The weakness of the top two stocks in the domestic market is interpreted as the result of the drop in semiconductor companies' stock prices at the New York Stock Exchange during the prior trading day on the 21st (local time). On that day, NVIDIA fell by 4.05%, and Broadcom dropped by 3.56%. Global investment bank HSBC noted that NVIDIA's stock price had risen sharply, making further increases difficult, and lowered its target price from the previous $185 to $175.
Samsung Biologics (-0.52%), Celltrion (-0.11%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-0.83%) also showed weakness, contributing to the index decline. On the other hand, LG Energy Solution (1.85%), Hyundai Motor (0.49%), and Kia (0.32%) rose.
On that day, fluctuations in shipping stocks and shipbuilding stocks were also significant. The U.S. administration is reviewing a proposal to impose a fee of up to $1 million (approximately 14 billion won) for each entry of ships belonging to Chinese shipping companies into U.S. ports, along with a maximum fee of $1,000 per ton for net vessel capacity. HMM rose by over 7%.
Shipbuilding stocks initially rose at the beginning of the session but turned to a downward trend during the trading day. The 'Trump trade' (investment in assets benefiting U.S. President Donald Trump) seemingly only had an early session impact. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries started trading at 306,500 won, rose to 310,000 won, but ended trading at 298,500 won. Hanwha Ocean also showed a similar trend, starting at 74,600 won, reaching 76,300 won, and closing at 71,500 won.
The KOSDAQ index closed at 773.33, down 1.32 points (0.17%) from the previous day. In the KOSDAQ market, institutions recorded a net sell of 127.7 billion won, foreign investors a net sell of 107.3 billion won, and individuals alone had a net buy of 242.6 billion won.
In the KOSDAQ market, the semiconductor equipment sector showed weakness. DONGJIN SEMICHEM (-1.76%), GAONCHIPS (-1.14%), and LEENO Industrial (-1.10%) saw declines. The large market capitalization stocks Alteogen (-2.30%) and LigaChem Biosciences (-1.92%) also fell. Conversely, in the secondary battery sector, Ecopro (2.47%), Ecopro BM (2.08%), and HLB (7.58%) rose.
On that day, the won-dollar exchange rate in the Seoul foreign exchange market ended the weekly transaction at 1,427.4 won, down 6.9 won.