KOSPI recovers early losses, buoyed by surge in foreign buying

Graphics by AJP Song Ji-yoon

SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korean stocks reversed early losses Wednesday morning, buoyed by strong foreign buying and a sharp rebound in the won, even as global markets remained cautious amid lingering trade uncertainty from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff pressures.

As of 10:40 a.m., just a few hours into the day's trading, the benchmark KOSPI was up 0.43 percent at 4,907.1, rebounding from an earlier 0.6 percent decline. The KOSPI 200 rose 0.9 percent to 715.3, signaling renewed demand for large-cap stocks, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell 2.5 percent to 952.6, showing a widening divergence between blue chips and growth-oriented shares.

Foreign investors drove the turnaround with net purchases of 435.6 billion won ($320 million) on the KOSPI, joined by institutions at 71.5 billion won. But retail investors sold 570.6 billion won. On the junior KOSDAQ, foreigners and institutions sold while individuals bought.

The won's sharp recovery shaped market sentiment. Strengthening to 1,472.8 per dollar, a gain of 7 won, or 0.5 percent, the currency eased pressure and helped stabilize the day's volatile start.

Investor confidence was further bolstered by remarks from President Lee Jae Myung, who said he would seek to ease concerns over foreign-exchange volatility. "If there were extraordinary measures needed to stabilize the currency, they would already be in place," Lee said during a press conference earlier in the day. He also said he believes the won's exchange rate against the greenback could return to the 1,400-won range within one to two months.

Auto-related stocks led the early rebound, benefiting from both currency moves and heavy foreign inflows. Hyundai Motor surged 10.2 percent to 528,000 won and Kia jumped 4.7 percent to 171,600 won.

Chip stocks remained strong, with Samsung Electronics climbing 3 percent to 149,600 won and SK hynix rising 0.9 percent to 751,000 won, supported by optimism over artificial intelligence-driven demand.

But not all sectors joined the rally. Energy and infrastructure shares lagged, with Doosan Enerbility falling 3.2 percent to 92,200 won on profit-taking. Portals also underperformed, as NAVER slipped 1.6 percent to 240,000 won.

Elsewhere in Asia, sentiment remained cautious. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.4 percent to 52,785.8, as optimism over an impending snap election and tax relief proposals was overshadowed by U.S. trade concerns.
Yoo Joonha Reporter joonhayoo94@ajupress.com

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