On the 25th, the KOSPI index exceeded 3200 during the trading session, continuing from the previous day, but failed to reconquer that level based on the closing price. If it had regained the 3200 mark that day, it would have been after five trading days.
This is interpreted as an effect of increased uncertainty due to difficult tariff negotiations with the U.S. government. Amid persistent wariness, sector rotation continued, preventing the index from rising significantly.
That day, the KOSPI index recorded 3196.05, up 5.6 points (0.18%) from the previous trading day. The KOSPI index opened the session at 3187, down 0.11% from the previous day. In the stock market, foreign investors and institutions purchased 277.9 billion won and 92.1 billion won, respectively, while individuals sold 447.4 billion won.
The top 10 companies by market capitalization in the stock market mostly fell. Samsung Biologics had the largest decline at 2.02%, and Samsung Electronics and SK hynix also fell by 0.15% and 1.3%, respectively. LG Energy Solution (-1.22%), Hyundai Motor (-0.46%), and Kia (-0.86%) also showed weakness. In contrast, KB Financial (1.37%) and Doosan Enerbility (0.76%) showed strength.
Lee Kyung-min, chief of the investment strategy team at DAISHIN SECURITIES, noted, “The domestic stock market showed a standoff as it kept an eye on tariff negotiations with the U.S., and there was continuous sector rotation depending on the issues.” He added, “In a situation where the negotiation deadline (August 1) is fast approaching, the wariness remains, resulting in only a slight increase in the KOSPI index.”
By sector, shipbuilding, defense, display, holding companies, and financial holdings rose. In contrast, secondary batteries, healthcare, semiconductors, and petrochemicals declined. Lee Jae-won, a researcher at Shinhan Investment Corp, explained, “The display and shipbuilding sectors rose as companies reported good performances,” adding, “The uncertainty around tariffs and concerns about weakened policy momentum only highlighted the performance momentum.”
The KOSDAQ index closed at 806.95, down 2.94 points (0.36%) from the previous day. In the KOSDAQ market, institutions sold a net 146.7 billion won, while individuals and foreigners bought a net 84.7 billion won and 94.4 billion won, respectively.
The top 10 companies by market capitalization in the KOSDAQ showed mixed trends. Ecopro and ECOPRO BM rose by 4.21% and 2.32%, respectively, while Sam Chun Dang Pharm and HLB increased by 2% and 0.91%, respectively. In contrast, Alteogen fell by 3.14%, and PharmaResearch and LigaChem Biosciences declined by 3.63% and 2.41%, respectively.
Meanwhile, as of the market closing time, the exchange rate of the won against the U.S. dollar traded at 1378.1 won, up 6.8 won from the previous trading day.