Fed’s clear signals boost local market
The benchmark Kospi advanced 4.5 points, or 0.67 percent, to close at 2,164.58 on Friday. Trade volume was moderate at 297 million shares worth 4.83 trillion won ($4.27 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 420 to 376.
The local stock market opened slightly lower, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street, but rebounded on gains in top-cap Samsung Electronics and other market heavyweights.
The Kospi has been on a steady rise as foreign investors continued to scoop up local stocks, extending their buying binge to a 10th consecutive day following eased political chaos in Asia’s fourth-largest economy and sound economic data.
Foreign investors snatched up a net 251 billion won worth of local stocks, extending their buying streak to a 10th straight day, while institutional investors offloaded a net 209 billion won.
Top-cap Samsung Electronics rose 1.34 percent to end at a fresh record high of 2,120,000 won on optimism about its shareholder-friendly policies and robust earnings.
Top steelmaker Posco closed flat at 291,500 won after rising 5.05 percent the previous session, and SK Hynix, a major chipmaker, hit 46,750 won out of concerns over the downbeat outlook for the industry.
Hyundai Heavy Industries, a major shipyard, ended flat at 177,500 won after soaring 6.61 percent a day earlier on hopes that its spinoff plan would boost its financial status as well as the competitiveness of each unit.
AmorePacific, a top cosmetics maker, jumped 3.28 percent to end at 283,000 won, and its smaller rival LG Household & Healthcare gained 1.95 percent to finish at 836,000 won.
The local currency closed at 1,130.90 won against the U.S. dollar, up 1.1 won from the previous session’s close. YONHAP
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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