On the 12th, the KOSPI set a record high again intraday. The KOSDAQ, which was weak early in the session, turned higher as foreign buying flowed in.
As of 11:40 a.m. that day, the KOSPI was at 4,644.06, up 57.74 points (1.26%) from the previous trading day. Early in the session, the index jumped to 4,652.54, setting a new record high once again.
In the main board, individuals and institutions were net buyers of 150 billion won and 170 billion won, respectively, lifting the index. However, more than 60% of institutional funds were inflows into financial investment such as exchange-traded funds (ETF). Foreign investors alone sold 430 billion won.
Shares of 8 out of the top 10 by market capitalization were rising. Semiconductor bellwether Samsung Electronics (0.86%) and SK hynix (1.88%) were strong on gains in New York stocks. Hyundai Motor (1.91%), LG Energy Solution (4.13%), Hanwha Aerospace (0.58%), and Doosan Enerbility (5.23%) were also advancing.
By contrast, Samsung Biologics (-1.06%) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-0.82%) were struggling.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ was at 952.40, up 4.48 points (0.47%) from the previous trading day. After opening higher at 948.48, the KOSDAQ fell to the 943 level on foreign selling intraday but succeeded in turning higher during the session.
On the KOSDAQ, foreigners and institutions were net buyers of 28 billion won and 14 billion won, respectively. Individuals alone were on the "sell" side for 25 billion won, limiting the index's upside.
Among top KOSDAQ market-cap stocks, performance was mixed. Shares tied to secondary batteries, including EcoPro BM (5.99%) and EcoPro (7.39%), were surging. In contrast, Alteogen (-5.48%), LigaChem Biosciences (-1.49%), and Peptron (-3.39%) were trading below the previous trading day's prices.
In the Seoul foreign exchange market that day, the won-dollar exchange rate stood at 1,463.10 won per $1, up 3.2 won from the previous session.