As the United States and Iran moved to talks and word spread that Iran would open part of the Strait of Hormuz, Korea's stock market opened higher on the 25th. However, with uncertainty lingering after reports that the U.S. government deployed heavily armed military forces near the Strait of Hormuz, the KOSPI is moving in the 5,600–5,700 range.
As of 9:05 a.m., the KOSPI is trading at 5,692.77, up 138.85 (2.5%) from the previous session.
Foreign investors and institutions are net buying 114.3 billion won and 204.9 billion won, respectively, lifting the index. It is the first net buying by foreigners in four sessions. Among institutions, the national pension funds bought a net 93 billion won, investment trusts 8.1 billion won, and brokerages, including exchange-traded fund (ETF) funds, 99.6 billion won. Individuals alone are net selling 322.9 billion won.
Most large-cap stocks are also rising. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix each gained more than 2%, reclaiming "190,000 jeonja" and "1 million nyx." Hyundai Motor (3.66%), SK Square (4.37%), and Samsung Biologics (2.84%) are also on the rise. Of all listings, 720 are up and 118 are down.
It is seen that investor sentiment was boosted by news overnight that the United States and Iran held talks related to the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 24th (local time), "Iran has given a gift of tremendous value as a sign of good faith for negotiations." He did not mention details but explained it was "not about nuclear, but about oil and gas, matters concerning the flow of the strait."
Afterward, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held an urgent call with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the 24th and directly conveyed the policy to "open the Strait of Hormuz to all countries except belligerents."
As news broke of a partial opening of the Strait of Hormuz, international oil prices fell below $90. According to the New York Mercantile Exchange, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) May futures are trading around $88 per barrel, down about 4% from the previous session.
However, despite talk of negotiations, with President Trump reinforcing military power, including heavily armed U.S. Marine Corps forces near the Strait of Hormuz, without lowering the level of military pressure, the stock market's gains appear limited.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ is trading at 1,139.51, up 18.07 (1.61%) from the previous session.
In the KOSDAQ market, individuals are net buying 77.5 billion won, lifting the index. Foreign investors and institutions are net selling 20.1 billion won and 51.5 billion won, respectively.
Among top KOSDAQ market-cap stocks, Sam Chun Dang Pharm surged 7%, broke through 1 million won, and rose to "emperor stock." Except for declines in Alteogen (0.98%) and Peptron (5.35%), most are showing gains.