Market fluctuations reacting to 'flip-flop' Donald Trump, the President of the United States, have continued daily. The same was true on the 15th. On this day, shares related to automobiles rose amid expectations that President Trump might suspend tariffs on auto parts. In addition, with institutional net buying, the KOSPI index successfully closed higher for two consecutive days. The KOSDAQ index rebounded after initially struggling early in the day, marking its fourth consecutive increase.
On the 15th, the KOSPI index in the securities market closed at 2477.41, up 21.52 points (0.88%) from the previous trading day. Individuals and foreigners net sold 150 billion won and 117 billion won, respectively, but institutions led the rise in the KOSPI index by purchasing 180 billion won worth of shares.
Most of the top stocks by market capitalization in the securities market closed higher. The leading stock, Samsung Electronics, rose 0.71%, while SK hynix, LG Energy Solution, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries also showed upward trends.
It was particularly a day marked by the strength of shares related to automobiles. On the 14th (local time), President Trump met with reporters at the White House and noted that "measures are being considered to assist some automobile companies." Thanks to this, Hyundai and Kia saw increases of 4.29% and 3.37%, respectively, while Hyundai Mobis also recorded a rise of over 2%.
The day before, Trump had mentioned regarding tariffs on semiconductors and smartphones (Apple iPhone) that "there may be flexibility for some corporations."
Kang Jin-hyuk, a researcher at Shinhan Investment Corp., said, "Trump's relay of tariff suspensions has calmed the market," and added, "After suspending tariffs on major electronic products like smartphones and semiconductors, the suggestion of additional tariff suspensions on auto parts has stabilized investor sentiment." Kang noted that "the news that the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury will conduct negotiations with South Korea next week is also a factor for the stock market's rise."
However, the stock prices of Samsung Biologics (-0.39%), Hanwha Aerospace (-2.65%), and Celltrion (-2.26%) were weak compared to the previous day.
The KOSDAQ index closed at 711.92, up 2.94 points (0.41%) from the previous trading day, marking its fourth consecutive increase. On this day, the KOSDAQ index initially fell to the 705 level, but rebounded as individual net buying amounted to 120 billion won. Foreigners and institutions net sold 70 billion won and 40 billion won, respectively.
The top stocks by market capitalization on the KOSDAQ showed mixed trends. HLB (2.46%), Rainbow Robotics (0.18%), Kolon TissueGene (3.03%), and ABL Bio (2.89%) rose, pleasing investors.
Alteogen (-1.81%), Ecopro BM (-1.77%), Ecopro (-2.73%), and HUGEL (-4.62%) closed lower.