Lead

Seoul shares ended higher Thursday as institutional buying helped offset heavy retail selling amid a reassessment of the outlook for artificial intelligence (AI) demand, according to Yonhap News. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 45.12 points, or 0.62 percent, at 7,291.91, after opening 3.3 percent higher and trimming earlier gains.

Coverage Comparison

Both reports from Yonhap News emphasized the role of institutional buying in offsetting retail selling, and both attributed the market's resilience to a reassessment of AI demand. The reports also highlighted ongoing concerns about renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty over the AI outlook. The tone of both articles was neutral, with direct quotes from an analyst.

The first report added details on bond prices, noting that bond prices closed lower, with the yield on three-year Treasurys rising 0.3 basis point to 3.778 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds climbing 1.7 basis points to 4.016 percent. The second report focused on stock movements and the won's decline.

Key Claims

  • The KOSPI closed up 45.12 points, or 0.62 percent, at 7,291.91, after opening 3.3 percent higher.
  • Trade volume was moderate at 574.75 million shares worth 37.46 trillion won (US$24.9 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 651 to 235.
  • Institutions and foreigners bought a net 1.29 trillion won and 137.54 billion won, respectively, while individuals sold a net 1.33 trillion won.
  • U.S. stocks ended mixed overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.81 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite rising 4.19 percent.
  • The Korean won was trading at 1,506.1 won per U.S. dollar as of 3:30 p.m., down 7.6 won from the previous session.
  • Bond prices closed lower, with the yield on three-year Treasurys rising 0.3 basis point to 3.778 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds climbing 1.7 basis points to 4.016 percent.
Analysts said investors remained concerned about renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty over the AI demand outlook. Kang Jin-hyuk, an analyst at Shinhan Securities Co., was quoted as saying, "Renewed tensions between the United States and Iran and selling by retail investors amid heightened market volatility weighed on the benchmark index."

In individual stocks, market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 0.18 percent to 278,000 won, while chip giant SK hynix climbed 5.3 percent to 2,186,000 won. Korea Aerospace Industries, the country's sole aircraft manufacturer, jumped 5.6 percent to 150,000 won, and S-Oil gained 1.44 percent to 133,500 won. Among decliners, top carmaker Hyundai Motor fell 3.68 percent to 445,500 won, and flag carrier Korean Air backtracked 5.15 percent to 26,700 won.