On the 19th, the KOSPI index opened higher, lifted by overnight gains in U.S. tech stocks. It pushed past the 5,600 level and set a new intraday record high.
As of 9:13 a.m., the KOSPI index was at 5,653.23, up 146.22 points (2.66%) from the previous session. The KOSPI started trading at 5,642.09, up 2.45% from the prior session. Right after the open, it climbed to as high as 5,673.11, repeatedly breaking the intraday record high.
In the main board, individuals bought 576.5 billion won worth, lifting the index. Foreigners and institutions were net sellers of 409.4 billion won and 192.6 billion won, respectively.
Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics jumped nearly 5%, showing strength. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries surged more than 7%.
Elsewhere, SK Square (3.58%), Doosan Enerbility (3.41%), SK hynix (2.73%), Kia (2.38%), LG Energy Solution (0.86%), KB Financial (0.54%), and Hyundai Motor (0.40%) were advancing.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 1,122.64, up 16.56 points (1.50%) from the previous session. The KOSDAQ started at 1,122.20, up 1.46% from the prior session.
In the KOSDAQ market, foreigners and institutions were net buyers of 43.5 billion won and 15.9 billion won, respectively, while only individuals were net sellers of 53.3 billion won.
Among top KOSDAQ names by market cap, all were rising except Kolon TissueGene (-2.12%). Sam Chun Dang Pharm and Caregen were strong, up in the 5% range, and Alteogen jumped 4.45%. EcoPro BM (1.94%), HLB (0.98%), ABL Bio (0.60%), EcoPro (0.53%), and LEENO Industrial (0.10%) were also gaining.
In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate opened at 1,451 won per $1, up 6.1 won from the previous session.
Meanwhile, on the 18th (local time), New York stocks extended their rebound for a second day on bargain hunting. In particular, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose nearly 1%, and Nvidia gained 1.63%, with tech shares leading the strength.
However, volatility was high, as gains were largely given back on news that a rate hike scenario was discussed at the January Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, before a sharp late-session rebound.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended up 0.26% at 49,662.66. The Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 rose 0.56% to 6,881.31, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.78% to 22,753.63.