Amid U.S. President Donald Trump's retreat from a hardline tariff policy, the KOSPI index is rising on the 15th. The KOSDAQ index, which started weak, successfully turned positive during the session. However, due to lingering uncertainties surrounding tariffs, the increase is not substantial.
As of 11:05 a.m. on the 15th, the KOSPI index has recorded an increase of 17.06 points (0.69%) to 2472.95 compared to the previous day. In the securities market, foreigners and institutions are selling off 50 billion won and 800 million won, respectively, while individuals are purchasing 14 billion won.
The top market capitalization stocks show a mixed trend. Expectations for exemption from automobile tariffs have led to a rise of over 3% in the stocks of automotive-related companies, including Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Hyundai Mobis. The stocks of Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, LG Energy Solution, and KB Financial are also on the rise.
In contrast, the stocks of Samsung Biologics, Hanwha Aerospace, Celltrion, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries are declining.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ index has recorded an increase of 1.41 points (0.20%) to 710.39, successfully turning positive. The KOSDAQ index had fallen to the 705 level early in the session but rebounded due to significant net buying by individuals. In the KOSDAQ market, individuals are net buying 120 billion won, while foreigners and institutions are net selling 8 billion won and 3 billion won, respectively.
In the KOSDAQ market capitalization top stocks, Alteogen, Ecopro BM, Ecopro, and Kolon TissueGene are weak. The stocks of HUGEL and Peptron have fallen by over 4%.
In contrast, the stocks of entertainment companies are strong. The stocks of SME, JYP Entertainment, and DearU are rising together. HLB, Rainbow Robotics, and Medytox stocks are also on the rise.
Analysts suggest that next week's tariff negotiations between the U.S. government and South Korea and President Trump's indication that he could exempt tariffs on auto parts positively influenced investment sentiment. However, uncertainties surrounding tariffs remain significant, resulting in limited momentum for further increases.
At the same time in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the exchange rate of the won to the U.S. dollar is trading at 1425.40 won, an increase of 3.4 won compared to the previous trading day.