South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI rose for a second consecutive session on April 15, closing above the 2,470 level amid growing optimism over potential tariff relief from the U.S. Trump administration.
The KOSPI ended the session at 2,477.41, up 21.52 points or 0.88% from the previous day. The index opened at 2,464.51, up 8.62 points or 0.35%, and gradually widened its gains throughout the day.
In the main board, institutional investors net bought 183 billion won, while retail and foreign investors net sold 149.3 billion won and 117.6 billion won, respectively. National pension funds extended their buying streak to a 13th straight session with net purchases of 94.4 billion won.
In the KOSPI 200 futures market, foreign investors posted net purchases of 435 billion won.
As of 3:30 p.m. KST, the won-dollar exchange rate stood at 1,425.5, up 1.4 won from the previous session.
Daishin Securities said, “It appears the Trump administration’s aggressive tariff policy has peaked. With the won stabilizing in the 1,420 range and rising expectations for fiscal stimulus, the KOSPI is finding additional momentum.”
Automotive and parts-related stocks rallied after President Trump suggested the possibility of exempting imported auto parts from tariffs. Hyundai Motor (005380) rose 4.29%, Kia (000270) gained 3.37%, Hyundai Mobis (012330) advanced 2.77%, SL Corporation (005850) climbed 5.94%, and HL Mando (204320) surged 6.23%.
Power equipment stocks also advanced after the government announced plans to help finance the underground transmission infrastructure needed for the construction of a semiconductor cluster. LS ELECTRIC (010120) rose 5.22%, Gaon Cable (000500) jumped 11.45%, and Hyosung Heavy Industries (298040) added 6.32%.
Samsung Electronics (005930) gained 0.71%, posting a second consecutive daily gain, while SK hynix (000660) reversed earlier losses to close 0.22% higher.
Financial stocks were also strong, with KB Financial Group (105560) up 2.5%, Shinhan Financial Group (055550) rising 1.84%, and Hana Financial Group (086790) climbing 3.06%. On the other hand, defense and shipbuilding stocks that had recently rallied showed a breather, including Hanwha Aerospace (012450) down 2.65%, Hanwha Ocean (042660) down 0.87%, and LIG Nex1 (079550) falling 4.27%.
By industry, most sectors gained, with electric and gas up 2.47%, machinery and equipment up 2.35%, transport equipment up 1.41%, and retail up 1.39%. Pharmaceuticals declined 0.81%.
The KOSDAQ index also finished higher, gaining 2.94 points or 0.41% to close at 711.92. The index opened at 709.51, up 0.07%, dipped briefly to a 0.62% loss, but rebounded in the afternoon to close in positive territory.
In the KOSDAQ market, retail investors were net buyers of 118.8 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors net sold 69.5 billion won and 41.2 billion won, respectively.
Among KOSDAQ large caps, HLB (028300) rose 2.46%, Rainbow Robotics (277810) added 0.18%, PharmaResearch (214450) gained 0.14%, and ABL Bio (298380) climbed 2.89%. In contrast, Alteogen (196170) dropped 1.81%, EcoPro BM (247540) declined 1.77%, and EcoPro (086520) fell 2.73%.
AI-related stocks rallied sharply after former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung pledged expanded AI investment as a campaign pledge and the government also indicated plans to boost AI industry competitiveness through fiscal spending. Vact (444110) soared 20.37%, Fourbyfour (389140) hit its limit up with a 30.0% gain, and Deepnoid (315640) surged 18.39%.
Total trading volume reached 6.4063 trillion won on the KOSPI and 6.8021 trillion won on the KOSDAQ. Alternative trading platform NextTrade posted combined pre- and regular session volume of 3.1604 trillion won.
South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI rose for a second consecutive session on April 15, closing above the 2,470 level amid growing optimism over potential tariff relief from the U.S. Trump administration.
The KOSPI ended the session at 2,477.41, up 21.52 points or 0.88% from the previous day. The index opened at 2,464.51, up 8.62 points or 0.35%, and gradually widened its gains throughout the day.
In the main board, institutional investors net bought 183 billion won, while retail and foreign investors net sold 149.3 billion won and 117.6 billion won, respectively. National pension funds extended their buying streak to a 13th straight session with net purchases of 94.4 billion won.
In the KOSPI 200 futures market, foreign investors posted net purchases of 435 billion won.
As of 3:30 p.m. KST, the won-dollar exchange rate stood at 1,425.5, up 1.4 won from the previous session.
Daishin Securities said, “It appears the Trump administration’s aggressive tariff policy has peaked. With the won stabilizing in the 1,420 range and rising expectations for fiscal stimulus, the KOSPI is finding additional momentum.”
Automotive and parts-related stocks rallied after President Trump suggested the possibility of exempting imported auto parts from tariffs. Hyundai Motor (005380) rose 4.29%, Kia (000270) gained 3.37%, Hyundai Mobis (012330) advanced 2.77%, SL Corporation (005850) climbed 5.94%, and HL Mando (204320) surged 6.23%.
Power equipment stocks also advanced after the government announced plans to help finance the underground transmission infrastructure needed for the construction of a semiconductor cluster. LS ELECTRIC (010120) rose 5.22%, Gaon Cable (000500) jumped 11.45%, and Hyosung Heavy Industries (298040) added 6.32%.
Samsung Electronics (005930) gained 0.71%, posting a second consecutive daily gain, while SK hynix (000660) reversed earlier losses to close 0.22% higher.
Financial stocks were also strong, with KB Financial Group (105560) up 2.5%, Shinhan Financial Group (055550) rising 1.84%, and Hana Financial Group (086790) climbing 3.06%. On the other hand, defense and shipbuilding stocks that had recently rallied showed a breather, including Hanwha Aerospace (012450) down 2.65%, Hanwha Ocean (042660) down 0.87%, and LIG Nex1 (079550) falling 4.27%.
By industry, most sectors gained, with electric and gas up 2.47%, machinery and equipment up 2.35%, transport equipment up 1.41%, and retail up 1.39%. Pharmaceuticals declined 0.81%.
The KOSDAQ index also finished higher, gaining 2.94 points or 0.41% to close at 711.92. The index opened at 709.51, up 0.07%, dipped briefly to a 0.62% loss, but rebounded in the afternoon to close in positive territory.
In the KOSDAQ market, retail investors were net buyers of 118.8 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors net sold 69.5 billion won and 41.2 billion won, respectively.
Among KOSDAQ large caps, HLB (028300) rose 2.46%, Rainbow Robotics (277810) added 0.18%, PharmaResearch (214450) gained 0.14%, and ABL Bio (298380) climbed 2.89%. In contrast, Alteogen (196170) dropped 1.81%, EcoPro BM (247540) declined 1.77%, and EcoPro (086520) fell 2.73%.
AI-related stocks rallied sharply after former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung pledged expanded AI investment as a campaign pledge and the government also indicated plans to boost AI industry competitiveness through fiscal spending. Vact (444110) soared 20.37%, Fourbyfour (389140) hit its limit up with a 30.0% gain, and Deepnoid (315640) surged 18.39%.
Total trading volume reached 6.4063 trillion won on the KOSPI and 6.8021 trillion won on the KOSDAQ. Alternative trading platform NextTrade posted combined pre- and regular session volume of 3.1604 trillion won.