The KOSDAQ index has surged past the 900 mark, driven by strong buying activity in major sectors such as secondary batteries and biotechnology. The buying frenzy triggered a trading halt known as a "buy-side circuit breaker" early in the session.
According to the Korea Exchange, as of 10:07 a.m., the KOSDAQ was trading at 901.09, up 49.72 points (5.84%) from the previous day. The index opened at 860.40, up 9.03 points (1.06%), and quickly expanded its gains, reaching a peak of 907.69 during the session.
Institutional investors led the rise, purchasing a net 263.9 billion won ($198 million), while foreign investors bought a net 19.8 billion won. In contrast, individual investors sold a net 277.3 billion won.
The strong early gains prompted the KOSDAQ market to activate a buy-side circuit breaker at 9:28 a.m. The KOSDAQ 150 futures rose by 6.18%, and the KOSDAQ 150 index increased by 6.22%, maintaining this momentum for over a minute, which halted program buy orders for five minutes. This marks the 11th activation of a buy-side circuit breaker in the KOSDAQ this year, and the 16th if including sell-side circuit breakers.
Most of the top market-cap stocks in the KOSDAQ are also performing well. Notable gainers include Alteogen (up 9.02%), EcoPro (up 14.47%), EcoPro BM (up 10.77%), Rainbow Robotics (up 4.58%), Kolon TissueGene (up 3.88%), JUSUNG Engineering (up 4.65%), HLB (up 4.30%), Lino Biotech (up 0.59%), and Rigakem Bio (up 16.31%). Conversely, Wonik IPS is down by 1.71%.
Market analysts suggest that a rotation of funds is flowing into large-cap KOSDAQ stocks that have been overlooked. Seo Sang-young, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities, stated, "As the concentration on semiconductors eases, expectations for KOSDAQ revitalization policies are rising. The significant gains in sectors like secondary batteries and biotechnology are driving the index higher, and similar rotations are also occurring in the KOSPI."
Meanwhile, the KOSPI index was trading at 8,329.07, down 82.14 points (0.98%) at the same time. The index dipped to 8,127.99 early in the session but partially recovered.
Individual and institutional investors bought a net 1.7 trillion won and 914.6 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors sold a net 2.71 trillion won. Among the top market-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics is down 3.83%, SK Hynix is down 2.39%, and SK Square is down 5.06%, while LG Energy Solution is up 9.05%, Samsung Electro-Mechanics is up 3.36%, and Samsung Biologics is up 3.57%.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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