KOSPI recovers on bargain hunting, institutional net buying totals 575.8 billion won
KOSDAQ reclaims 800 level; battery shares rally on expanding ESS demand and U.S. decoupling hopes
South Korean equity markets closed higher across the board on the 19th. Triggered by bargain-hunting inflows following recent steep corrections, both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ indexes rebounded for the second consecutive session. The KOSPI settled above the 5,700 level, while the KOSDAQ successfully reclaimed the 800 threshold.
According to the Korea Exchange (KRX), the KOSPI finished up 99.96 points, or 1.76%, at 5,768.01. The KOSDAQ gained 14.11 points, or 1.78%, to close at 808.89. In the interbank currency market, the won-dollar exchange rate ended daytime trading down 1.1 won at 1,330.3 won.
The KOSPI opened lower, pressured by dampened sentiment surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) investments and weak overseas market leads from the previous weekend. However, the index soon reversed course into positive territory as bargain-hunting capital flowed into undervalued sectors, led by pharmaceuticals, biotech, and chemicals.
By sector, pharmaceuticals rose 5.8%, metals gained 5.0%, entertainment and culture advanced 4.2%, and chemicals increased 3.6%. Large-cap stocks grew 1.8%, mid-caps added 2.1%, and small-caps moved up 1.4%.
In the supply-demand breakdown, institutional investors were net buyers, picking up 575.8 billion won, whereas foreign and retail investors net sold 36.4 billion won and 1.0871 trillion won, respectively. Foreign capital targeted net sales in transport equipment and parts (48.1 billion won), food, beverage, and tobacco (42.0 billion won), and finance (27.4 billion won).
The KOSDAQ finished higher, propelled by secondary battery-related shares amid combined net buying from institutional and retail investors. Sector-wise, finance surged 7.1%, metals rose 4.0%, and paper and wood climbed 3.1%. Institutions and individuals recorded net purchases of 67.0 billion won and 64.0 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors net sold 143.8 billion won.
Secondary Battery and ESS Shares Rally Amid Order-Driven Surges
Secondary battery equities advanced in tandem, buoyed by U.S. initiatives to decouple supply chains from China and growing market expectations for energy storage systems (ESS). Samsung SDI gained 11.70%, LG Energy Solution rose 7.20%, and SK innovation advanced 7.24%.
Among cathode material manufacturers, POSCO Future M jumped 10.90% and EcoPro BM climbed 8.33%. POSCO Holdings advanced 6.07% on expectations of benefiting from tighter regulatory controls on Chinese supply chains, while EcoPro surged 11.19% on prospects of ESS market expansion.
Samwha Aluminum rose 13.87% on optimism over soaring ESS demand sparked by AI data centers. Aekyung Chemical gained 14.53% as plans to expand anode production capacity regained market attention.
Huneed Technologies advanced 17.07% following news that it secured a 103.1 billion won aircraft wire harness supply contract with U.S.-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
KBI Dongyang Steel Pipe hit the daily upper limit, surging 29.96% on the announcement that it will supply approximately 950 tons of steel pipes for SpaceX's rocket launch facilities. SM Vina Tech also rose 29.90% on expectations of securing battery technology for low-Earth orbit satellites.
Myung Shin Industrial climbed 15.03% on anticipation of Tesla's next-generation Roadster demonstration. Almec advanced 20.85% on projected component demand growth driven by strong electric vehicle sales at Rivian, while Sangsin EDP gained 12.18% amid rising profile as a Rivian-linked stock.
DRTECH rose 13.53% after obtaining U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for its next-generation digital X-ray system, 'New EXSYS DEXi.'
Camsys gained 12.63% on news that its third-quarter consolidated operating profit swung to a black, recording 7.4 billion won.
Secu Inc. rose 4.02%, drawing attention to its announcement on the 16th regarding its first commercial production order for X-ray inspection equipment from a global semiconductor back-end processing firm.
Selected Equities Plunge on Delisting and Disclosure Risks
ANP plummeted 29.91% amid growing concerns over a potential delisting due to failing minimum stock price requirements.
Newbotech dropped 9.89% in the wake of a designation warning as an unfaithful disclosure corporation, following its withdrawal of a new facility investment filing. RFTech fell 9.02% due to mounting uncertainties stemming from its subsidiary Hanju Hi-Tech filing for rehabilitation procedures alongside a creditor's bankruptcy petition.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics declined 1.52% as investor sentiment remained subdued following sharp drops in U.S. semiconductor stocks.
