The Seoul stocks market extended its winning streak for a second day, supported by strong gains in technology shares. This rise came despite investor concerns about possible US tariffs targeting South Korean goods. The Korean won also showed a slight increase against the US dollar.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 13.25 points, or 0.41 percent, closing at 3,215.28. Investors credited the positive momentum on Wall Street overnight for helping lift the local market. Moderate trading volume reached 415.06 million shares worth 11.94 trillion won, equivalent to about $8.6 billion.
Foreign investors continued their buying spree, purchasing a net 212.29 billion won worth of shares. In contrast, institutional investors and retail traders sold off 20.8 billion won and 311.19 billion won in stocks, respectively. This mix of activity helped the Seoul stock market maintain upward pressure throughout the session.
US President Donald Trump recently warned key trade partners of new tariffs set to start unless better terms are reached. His administration sent notice to South Korea about imposing a 25 percent tariff on certain products beginning August 1. However, analysts say these developments have already been priced into the market, limiting their immediate impact.
“Investors anticipated the tariff news, and it caused no major disruptions today,” said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities. He noted that strong demand for tech shares kept sentiment positive.
However, large-cap stocks showed mixed results. Samsung Electronics advanced 1.92 percent to 63,700 won, while Hanwha Aerospace jumped 5.08 percent to 848,000 won. Leading shipbuilder HD Hyundai rose 0.51 percent to 139,000 won, and shipping giant HMM climbed 1.76 percent to 25,950 won.
However, several major companies saw declines. Hyundai Motor dropped 2.76 percent to 211,000 won as investors worried about global demand. Steelmaker POSCO Holdings edged down 0.16 percent to 321,000 won, reflecting broader sector weakness.
The Korean won strengthened slightly, closing at 1,380.20 won per dollar, up 1 won from the previous session. Currency traders attributed the movement to stable foreign inflows and cautious optimism in the equity market.
The Seoul stocks market outlook remains uncertain as global trade tensions continue to loom. Yet, tech stocks and foreign investor interest could provide support in the near term. Analysts advise investors to monitor developments in US-South Korea trade talks closely.
