South Korea’s Kospi recovered from an opening fall of 3.17% to finish 1.76% higher Monday, with institutional purchases providing support as investors debated returns on AI infrastructure outlays.
Yonhap reported that the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, added 99.96 points and ended at 5,768.01. The benchmark touched 5,488.41 before recovering.
Samsung Electronics ended at 218,000 won after a 1.16% rise, while SK hynix added 0.39% to 1.28 million won. Hyundai Motor advanced 4.49% to 326,000 won, and Hanwha Aerospace gained 1.91% to 905,000 won. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 1.71% to 345,500 won; Hanwha Ocean declined 1.23% to 64,200 won. Both shipbuilders named in the report posted losses, showing that gains were uneven among the listed shares.
Yonhap said institutions recorded net share purchases of 574.66 billion won ($432 million). Foreign investors were net sellers of 37.87 billion won, while retail investors’ net sales totaled 1.09 trillion won.
IBK Securities offered a tentative explanation for the turnaround: some investors may have spotted value in larger stocks after recent losses. The brokerage said that buying may have aided the recovery, although misgivings about substantial AI infrastructure spending remained.
Earlier EconoTimes coverage of AI budget questions during a semiconductor selloff noted that Bloomberg also cited competition, valuation concerns and rising rates.
At 2:30 a.m. ET (06:30 UTC), equivalent to 3:30 p.m. Korea Standard Time, the won traded at 1,330.3 won per dollar, compared with 1,331.4 at the prior session’s close. The lower rate reflected a stronger won against the dollar.
Analysts cited by Yonhap said investors were cautious ahead of earnings due this week from Tesla and Meta Platforms. The Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections and continued uncertainty about interest rates were also on the market calendar.
