KOSPI Closes Higher on Foreign and Institutional Buying

The KOSPI index closed at 3,431.21 points on September 29, up 45.16 points (1.33%), marking its first rebound in four sessions. The KOSDAQ also gained 1.38% to finish at 846.71, ending a five-day losing streak. Both markets were buoyed by strong foreign and institutional inflows, with semiconductors, securities, and biotech shares leading the rally.

According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI200 futures settled at 477.05 points (+1.63%) with trading volume of 216,154 contracts. The broader KRX300 index advanced 1.51% to 2,165.00.

Market Drivers

Analysts noted that a rebound in the U.S. stock market provided momentum for Korean equities. Foreign investors and institutions turned net buyers, while individual investors sold heavily.

Large-cap sectors posted broad-based gains. IT services jumped 3.4%, securities rose 3.1%, electronics climbed 1.8%, and insurance added 1.7%. In terms of flows, foreigners bought ₩4.47 trillion worth of shares, led by electronics (+₂,362B), chemicals (+604B), and transportation equipment (+577B). Institutions purchased ₩3.03 trillion, while retail investors offloaded ₩7.47 trillion.

KOSDAQ Rebound

The KOSDAQ index surged 11.52 points (1.38%) to 846.71, driven by strong performances in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and robotics. Sector-wise, non-metallic minerals gained 3.2%, general services 2.6%, and telecom 2.3%. Foreigners net-bought ₩800B and institutions ₩1.36 trillion, while individuals sold ₩1.92 trillion.

Currency & Commodities

The Korean won strengthened for the first time in five sessions, closing at ₩1,398.7 per U.S. dollar, up ₩11. Crude oil prices eased, with WTI falling 0.82% to $65.18 per barrel. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield inched up to 4.173%.

Global Markets

Global equities ended mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.7%, the Nasdaq gained 0.4%, and Germany’s DAX advanced 0.9%. Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.7%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged 2.0%