On the 12th, the KOSPI opened more than 1% higher. In early trading, it climbed to the 4,652 level, setting an intraday record high.
As of 9:12 a.m., the KOSPI was at 4,622.07, up 35.75 points (0.78%) from the previous session. The KOSPI began transaction at 4,639.89, up 53.57 points (1.17%) from the previous session, setting a new all-time record high at the open.
In the main board, individual investors alone turned net buyers to the tune of 340 billion won. Foreign investors and institutions were net sellers of 310 billion won and 40 billion won, respectively.
Nine of the top 10 stocks by market capitalization were rising. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix were up more than 1%, leading the index higher. Samsung Biologics (0.43%), LG Energy Solution (1.38%), Hyundai Motor (2.73%), and Doosan Enerbility (6.65%) were also strong. By contrast, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-0.66%) was weak.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ was at 949.97, up 2.05 points (0.22%) from the previous session. The KOSDAQ opened at 948.48, up 0.56 points (0.06%) from the previous session.
On the KOSDAQ, individual investors also had the upper hand, with net buying of 21 billion won. Foreign investors and institutions were net sellers of 7 billion won and 9 billion won, respectively.
Among the top KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, trading was mixed. ECOPRO BM (1.27%), HLB (4.74%), and Sam Chun Dang Pharm (4.06%) were rising. By contrast, Alteogen (-5.09%), ABL Bio (-1.71%), and Rainbow Robotics (-1.69%) were weak.
In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate stood at 1,460.10 won per $1, up 0.2 won from the previous session.
On the 9th (local time), bolstered by strength in semiconductor stocks, all three major New York indexes closed higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 rose 0.48% and 0.65%, respectively, hitting record highs. The Nasdaq also gained 0.81%. In particular, with Micron (5.49%) and Intel (10.80%) strong, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumped 2.73%.
With the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference kicking off today, attention is focusing on the performance of biotech stocks. Lee Kyung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities Co., said, "In the short term, pressure from an overheated KOSPI may ease, leading to a phase of digesting supply," and noted, "With the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference underway, it is worth paying attention to growth stocks such as pharmaceuticals and biotech from a rotational perspective."
Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the legality of U.S. President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff is scheduled to be announced on the 14th. Even if it is ruled unlawful, the impact on the stock market is expected to be limited.
Han Ji-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities, said, "Aside from the reciprocal tariff, tariffs can be maintained through alternative means such as Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act," and added, "While this week's Supreme Court decision on the reciprocal tariff may be a key issue in political and trade terms, from a stock market perspective it is reasonable to focus on macro and earnings events."