Overview

• The KOSPI rose 0.22% to close at 2,579.48, marking its third consecutive session of gains after holiday closures earlier in the week.
• Battery stocks led the charge, with LG Energy Solution up 1.55% and POSCO Future M climbing 3.1%.
• Retailers showed strong performance, including Hyundai Department Store jumping 5.08% and Shinsegae gaining 0.82%.
• Defense firm LIG Nex1 surged 10.7% following a robust first-quarter earnings report, while semiconductor stocks showed mixed results.
• Foreign investors were net buyers of 130 billion won, while the Korean won strengthened to 1,396.6 per dollar, and bond yields edged higher.