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# South Korea’s KOSPI Index Surges on Foreign and Institutional Buying; KOSDAQ Posts Modest Gains

South Korea's stock markets delivered strong performances on July 21, with the benchmark KOSPI index rallying on robust foreign and institutional investor activity. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy KOSDAQ achieved smaller but positive gains, showcasing resilience despite selling pressure from foreign investors.

The KOSPI kicked off the trading day with a confident start and built upon its momentum throughout the session, underscoring positive market sentiment. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed at 3,210.81, marking an increase of 22.74 points or 0.71% compared to the prior day's finish at 3,188.07. The index opened higher at 3,191.11, advancing 3.04 points or 0.10%, and sustained gains until market close.

Market data revealed contrasting trends among investor groups in the KOSPI. Retail investors net sold shares worth KRW 1.0597 trillion, while foreign investors drove buying activity with net purchases amounting to KRW 896 billion. Institutional investors supported the rally with a net buying value of KRW 101.1 billion.

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# Sector Performances and Key Market Movers

The majority of sectors in the KOSPI market recorded gains, illustrating broad-based strength. The machinery and equipment sector spearheaded the recovery with a 3.58% surge, while the metals sector followed closely with a 3.06% increase. Additionally, electric and gas utilities rose 2.32%, and the entertainment, culture, chemicals, and transportation equipment sectors all gained over 1%. Contrasting this upward trend was the financial sector, which saw a marginal decline of 0.32%.

Key players in the KOSPI also contributed to the index’s robust performance. Samsung Electronics climbed 1.04%, SK Hynix advanced 1.30%, and LG Energy Solution saw a strong rise of 2.64%. In the machinery sector, Doosan Enerbility rallied by an impressive 5.56%. However, a few prominent companies faced headwinds, including Samsung Biologics, which declined by 1.14%, and Hyundai Motor, which dropped 0.71%.

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# Expert Insights: KOSPI Outlook

Han Ji-young, a seasoned researcher at Kiwoom Securities, shared valuable insights into the KOSPI’s outlook for the near term. Han noted that the index is likely to experience fluctuations around the 3,200-point level due to various global and domestic factors. Key considerations include ongoing U.S.-China tariff negotiations, economic data releases like the July U.S. Manufacturing PMI, the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting, and quarterly earnings announcements from major global corporations such as Alphabet and Tesla.

Han projected the KOSPI’s weekly trading range to lie between 3,140 and 3,260 points, offering investors guidance on navigating the market’s potential volatility.

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# KOSDAQ Sees Gradual Uptick Amid Foreign Selling

South Korea’s secondary KOSDAQ index showed resilience despite a mixed trading day, finishing at 821.69, up 1.02 points or 0.12% compared to the previous session’s close of 820.67. The KOSDAQ initially dipped to 819.84, down 0.83 points or 0.10%, before recovering during the session, defying foreign investor selling pressure.

According to trading data, foreign investors sold a net KRW 19.2 billion worth of KOSDAQ shares. In contrast, retail investors displayed confidence, net buying KRW 10.1 billion worth of shares, while institutional investors contributed to the rally by purchasing KRW 11.1 billion.

Sector-wise, metals stole the spotlight with a 3.61% gain, followed by entertainment and culture, which advanced by 2.82%. The chemicals sector also rose by 1.40%, with electrical and electronics and machinery and equipment sectors showing strength as well.

Notable KOSDAQ large-cap stocks showed mixed results. Peptron climbed 2.21%, EcoPro added 2.37%, and PharmaResearch gained 1.23%, indicating positive momentum in specific industries. Conversely, stocks like Alteogen, which dipped 1.43%, Hugel, down 2.36%, and LIG ChemBio, which dropped 2.71%, faced profit-taking pressures.

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# Korean Won Climbs Against U.S. Dollar

Currency markets also reflected optimism as the Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar. The USD/KRW exchange rate wrapped up trading at KRW 1,388.2, marking a depreciation of KRW 4.8 from the previous session’s level. The stronger won further highlighted improved sentiment across financial markets for the day.

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# Key Takeaways

July 21 proved to be a day of positive movement for South Korea’s stock markets, with significant gains in the KOSPI and measured advances in the KOSDAQ. Strong foreign and institutional buying drove the KOSPI’s performance, and sector-specific rallies added clarity to investment opportunities. Analysts expect continued volatility driven by global economic and corporate developments, presenting opportunities for strategic investors to evaluate their positions.

Investors can continue monitoring momentum across key sectors and market drivers while keeping an eye on influential factors such as international trade talks, earnings announcements, and monetary policy updates for informed decision-making.

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