KOSPI Recovers Above 6,300; KOSDAQ Soars Over 5%

The KOSPI index closed higher on August 4 after experiencing volatility, including a brief dip during trading. In contrast, the KOSDAQ surged over 5%, driven by strong buying in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. The KOSDAQ market has seen a notable difference in momentum, with a buying sidecar activated for three consecutive trading days.

According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI finished at 6,358.95, up 101.50 points (1.62%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 6,351.38, up 93.93 points (1.50%), but briefly turned negative during the session.

In the securities market, individual investors made a net purchase of 818.4 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 370.6 billion won and 539.2 billion won, respectively.

Major stocks in the KOSPI showed mixed results. Hanwha Aerospace rose by 9.25%, followed by LG Energy Solution (3.96%), Samsung Biologics (3.72%), SK Square (3.41%), SK Hynix (0.64%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (0.34%), and Samsung Electronics (0.21%). Conversely, Samsung Life Insurance fell by 3.30%, Samsung C&T by 1.98%, KB Financial by 0.41%, and Hyundai Motor by 0.13%.

Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, noted, "Today, the domestic stock market saw profit-taking in the memory sector, leading to a clear decoupling from the U.S. memory sector, with liquidity spreading to sectors outside semiconductors and automobiles."

Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ index closed at 780.72, up 43.37 points (5.88%) from the previous day. It opened at 748.19, up 10.84 points (1.47%), and expanded its gains throughout the session. A buying sidecar was activated around 10:47 AM, marking the third consecutive day of such measures.

In the KOSDAQ market, individual investors sold a net 258.6 billion won, while foreign investors sold 277.2 billion won. Institutions, however, made a net purchase of 543.4 billion won.

All major stocks in the KOSDAQ closed higher, with significant gains from Rigakem Bio (15.62%), ABL Bio (13.66%), HLB (10.68%), Alteogen (9.29%), EcoPro (6.46%), JUSUNG Engineering (6.42%), EcoPro BM (5.79%), Pepton (4.88%), Rino Industrial (4.56%), Wonik IPS (2.99%), and Rainbow Robotics (1.74%).

The researcher added, "Today, the KOSDAQ market saw concentrated buying in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, continuing its upward trend."