On May 9, Shares of companies reporting strong earnings results led the gainers on the KOSPI as investors turned their attention to stock-specific catalysts amid lingering uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy and mixed broader market sentiment.
As of 11:10 a.m., SK Chemicals (285130) was trading at 48,950 won, up 6,050 won, or 14.10%, from the previous session. The stock had risen as high as 49,800 won during intraday trading. SK Chemicals Preferred (28513K) also gained 8.53%, trading at 22,250 won.
Jinhyuk Kang, an analyst at Shinhan Investment Corp., noted, “While the market remains focused on Fed Chair Powell’s remarks about economic resilience, disappointment over delayed rate cuts has created a tug-of-war in sentiment. In this environment, companies with strong earnings have helped stabilize the market.” He added, “On May 8, the top two contributors to the KOSPI index were both companies that posted robust earnings.”
Netmarble (251270), which delivered a major earnings surprise, also saw significant gains. The stock jumped 7,250 won, or 16.12%, to 52,200 won. The company announced that first-quarter operating profit surged 1,243% year-on-year to 49.7 billion won, driven by the strong performance of game titles such as Solo Leveling: ARISE and RF Online Next. Netmarble was the second-best performer on the KOSPI that morning.
KOLMAR KOREA (161890) advanced 8.42% to 86,300 won, up 6,700 won from the previous day. The company reported first-quarter operating profit of 59.94 billion won, an 84.83% increase year-on-year, citing higher sales and profit margins in sun care products across key overseas markets, including the United States and China.
LIG Nex1 (079550) rose nearly 8% after reporting operating profit of 113.6 billion won for the first quarter, exceeding market consensus by 75% and marking a 69.6% increase compared to the same period last year. The strong results were attributed to growth in domestic defense production contracts, particularly for PGM systems—including Cheongung-II Phase 2, Hyeongung Phase 3-2, Haegung Phase 2, and heavyweight torpedoes—as well as ISR systems such as follow-up orders for local air defense radar.
Market analysts expect the broader market to remain in a wait-and-see mode until greater clarity emerges on U.S. tariff policy, with investor focus likely to remain on individual stock performance in the interim.
Kyungmin Lee, an analyst at Daishin Securities, stated, “In the near term, some volatility is to be expected as investors await economic indicators that reflect trade policy outcomes. However, a rebound is forming in undervalued segments, and sectors with strong fundamentals and discounted valuations deserve close attention.”
On May 9, Shares of companies reporting strong earnings results led the gainers on the KOSPI as investors turned their attention to stock-specific catalysts amid lingering uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy and mixed broader market sentiment.
As of 11:10 a.m., SK Chemicals (285130) was trading at 48,950 won, up 6,050 won, or 14.10%, from the previous session. The stock had risen as high as 49,800 won during intraday trading. SK Chemicals Preferred (28513K) also gained 8.53%, trading at 22,250 won.
Jinhyuk Kang, an analyst at Shinhan Investment Corp., noted, “While the market remains focused on Fed Chair Powell’s remarks about economic resilience, disappointment over delayed rate cuts has created a tug-of-war in sentiment. In this environment, companies with strong earnings have helped stabilize the market.” He added, “On May 8, the top two contributors to the KOSPI index were both companies that posted robust earnings.”
Netmarble (251270), which delivered a major earnings surprise, also saw significant gains. The stock jumped 7,250 won, or 16.12%, to 52,200 won. The company announced that first-quarter operating profit surged 1,243% year-on-year to 49.7 billion won, driven by the strong performance of game titles such as Solo Leveling: ARISE and RF Online Next. Netmarble was the second-best performer on the KOSPI that morning.
KOLMAR KOREA (161890) advanced 8.42% to 86,300 won, up 6,700 won from the previous day. The company reported first-quarter operating profit of 59.94 billion won, an 84.83% increase year-on-year, citing higher sales and profit margins in sun care products across key overseas markets, including the United States and China.
LIG Nex1 (079550) rose nearly 8% after reporting operating profit of 113.6 billion won for the first quarter, exceeding market consensus by 75% and marking a 69.6% increase compared to the same period last year. The strong results were attributed to growth in domestic defense production contracts, particularly for PGM systems—including Cheongung-II Phase 2, Hyeongung Phase 3-2, Haegung Phase 2, and heavyweight torpedoes—as well as ISR systems such as follow-up orders for local air defense radar.
Market analysts expect the broader market to remain in a wait-and-see mode until greater clarity emerges on U.S. tariff policy, with investor focus likely to remain on individual stock performance in the interim.
Kyungmin Lee, an analyst at Daishin Securities, stated, “In the near term, some volatility is to be expected as investors await economic indicators that reflect trade policy outcomes. However, a rebound is forming in undervalued segments, and sectors with strong fundamentals and discounted valuations deserve close attention.”