(ATTN: UPDATES para 2; ADDS additional info at bottom; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) — Seoul stocks opened higher Wednesday, boosted by a continued chip rally, while investors brace for the nation pension fund’s stock rebalancing.
After opening sharply higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stocks Price Index (KOSPI) rose 45.89 points, or 0.54 percent, to 8,522.37, as of 9:15 a.m.
The index followed overnight gains on Wall Street, as chip stocks continued their rally and prospects for peace talks between the United States and Iran still remain valid.
The two sides are poised to hold fresh talks in Qatar this week, following a weekend of hostilities in the Middle East.
Investors are also keeping an eye on the rebalancing of the National Pension Service (NPS)’s stock portfolio, which is scheduled to start on Wednesday.
June’s export results are likely to provide varying degrees of momentum in the stock prices of chip-related sectors, according to Han Ji-young, an analyst from Kiwoom Securities.
The country’s exports topped US$100 billion for the first time in June, with exports of semiconductors growing nearly threefold on-year, to surpass $40 billion, according to the industry ministry.
“Though risks related to the Middle East war and inflation has yet to disappear, the market has already digested some of the concerns through multiple corrections,” the analyst said.
Most large-cap shares were trading higher.
Chip giant Samsung Electronics fell 0.45 percent, while its industry rival SK hynix added 0.26 percent.
Top car maker Hyundai Motor advanced 2.73 percent, ship builder HD Heavy Industries moved up 4.39 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace climbed 5.13 percent.
The Korean won was trading at 1,550.1 won against the U.S. dollar, down, 0.7 won from the previous session.
Financial data is shown on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, on July 1, 2026. (Yonhap)
fairydust@yna.co.kr
(END)
