On the 18th, the Korean stock market showed a brief pause in trading ahead of tariff negotiations. The lackluster market atmosphere was partly due to other financial markets in the U.S. and Europe being closed for 'Good Friday.' On this day, the KOSPI index opened with fluctuations before closing slightly higher, with a transaction value of approximately 5.5 trillion won.
On this day, the KOSPI index closed at 2,483.42, up 13.01 points (0.53%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 2,473.30, up 2.89 points (0.12%) from the previous close, fluctuating between red and blue in the early session. In the morning, individual investors propelled the index higher, while institutional buying in the afternoon led to a closing gain, but the transaction value remained only around 5.5 trillion won.
Selling pressure continued to be led by foreign investors on this day. The foreign investors, who have maintained net selling for six consecutive trading days, sold off shares worth 104.6 billion won. In the morning, individuals who had supported the index with buying turned to selling in the afternoon, net selling 31.9 billion won. In contrast, institutions were recorded as net buyers of 81.6 billion won.
In the securities market, top-capitalization corporations showed mixed performances. Samsung Electronics, the leading semiconductor company, rose by 0.36%, while SK hynix, which had been on a downward trend, closed at 175,000 won, the same as the previous day. Samsung Electronics' preferred stock also increased by 0.22%.
Hanwha Aerospace, which was halted by the financial authorities from a second paid capital increase, renewed its highest price in a year. It even surpassed Hyundai Motor, which ranks fifth by KOSPI market capitalization during the session. Additionally, Kia and KB Financial saw their stock prices rise, while LG Energy Solution, Samsung Biologics, and Celltrion experienced declines.
On this day, shipping stocks were strong. This was expected as the U.S. government decided to impose port fees on Chinese shipping companies and vessels in the U.S. Hyundai GLOVIS closed at 118,300 won, up 5.44% from the previous trading day. Other companies such as STX Green Logis (3.79%), Pan Ocean (1.68%), Korea Line Corporation (0.78%), and HMM (0.42%) also rose.
On this day, the KOSDAQ index finished the day at 717.77, up 6.02 points (0.85%) from the previous trading day. In the KOSDAQ market, foreign investors net sold 22.2 billion won, while individuals and institutions bought shares worth 32.2 billion won and 12.2 billion won, respectively.
Among the top 10 stocks by KOSDAQ market capitalization, Alteogen, Peptron, LigaChem Biosciences, and PharmaResearch saw their stock prices rise. In contrast, Ecopro, ECOPRO BM, HLB, Rainbow Robotics, HUGEL, and CLASSYS experienced declines.
Sangji Construction, a key theme stock of Lee Jae-myung, a leading presidential candidate and former representative of the Democratic Party of Korea, shifted to a downward trend after continuing to reach the upper limit for 11 trading days. On this day, Sangji Construction closed at 38,050 won, down 5,350 won (12.33%) from the previous trading day. Although it recorded the upper limit during the session, it switched to a decline in the afternoon and broadened its drop. Since the 2nd, Sangji Construction had recorded the upper limit for 10 consecutive trading days, causing its stock price to surge nearly 14 times.
In the Seoul foreign exchange market, as of 3:30 p.m., the Korean won to U.S. dollar exchange rate was recorded at 1,423.3 won, up 4.4 won from the previous day.