Seoul stocks at highest level since 2015
The Kospi closed at 2,117.59, up 20.24 points, or 0.97 percent compared to the previous trading day. This was the bourse’s highest closing since April 15, 2015.
Foreign investors were the biggest contributors to the uplift, as they net bought 454.8 billion won ($397 million) in Korean shares. Retail investors purchased 282.4 billion won worth, while institutional investors offloaded 215.1 billion won.
By sector, finance shares were strong. Banks gained 3.2 percent and securities added 2.1 percent.
Cosmetics shares, heavily affected by the Thaad issue this month, showed signs of recovery: AmorePacific added 1.83 percent to 277,500 won and LG Household and Health Care rose 2.63 percent to 821,000 won.
Among the top 10 companies by market capitalization, Posco and Hyundai Mobis were the only ones to retreat. The steelmaker slipped 0.71 percent to 281,000 won and Hyundai’s auto parts affiliate lost 0.61 percent to 242,500 won. Lotte Chemical slumped 2.82 percent to 361,500 won and Hankook Tire lost 2.06 percent to 57,100 won.
The secondary Kosdaq closed up 3.33 points, or 0.54 percent from the previous session to 615.59. Shares related to IT hardware and components led gains.
CJ E&M climbed 0.51 percent to 79,600 won. Pharmaceutical Medytox inched up 0.15 percent to 409,900 won while Celltrion slipped 0.2 percent to 98,500 won. Kakao slightly fell 0.59 percent to 84,800 won.
The Korean won strengthened 1.1 percent to 1,144.4 against the dollar.
Three-year and 10-year government bond yields each fell two basis points to 1.77 percent and 2.3 percent.
BY SONG KYOUNG-SON, YONHAP [song.kyoungson@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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