The dealing room at Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul, on June 12 [Yonhap]
The dealing room at Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul, on June 12 [Yonhap]

About two in every 10 Kospi-listed stocks have touched both a 52-week high and a 52-week low so far this year, underscoring the extreme volatility gripping South Korean markets.

According to Korea Exchange, 587 of the 2,875 stocks listed on domestic markets from the start of this year through June 12 recorded both a 52-week high and a 52-week low during that period. Of those, 192 were Kospi stocks, 383 were Kosdaq stocks and 12 were Konex stocks.

Samsung Biologics hit a 52-week high on Jan. 15 before sliding to a 52-week low on June 8. SJ Group, which had been swept up in theme-stock trading tied to the June 3 local elections Seoul mayoral race, surged to a 52-week high in February but tumbled to a 52-week low after the election concluded. Seoul Semiconductor moved in the opposite direction — it touched a 52-week low in January before riding the semiconductor rally in mid-May to a new 52-week high.

As the Kospi surged toward 8,000 points, 1,508 listed stocks set 52-week highs, including 545 Kospi-listed names. Most of the top 10 stocks by market cap — among them Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, SK Square, Hyundai Motor, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung Life, Samsung C&T and HD Hyundai Heavy — set all-time highs in late May or early this month.

Stocks hitting 52-week lows outnumbered those hitting highs, with 1,763 stocks touching new lows for the period. Of those, 530 were Kospi stocks and 1,172 were Kosdaq stocks.

Market analysts expect volatility to persist for now, citing ongoing Middle East tensions that could influence US interest rate decisions and a continuing upward trend in inflation.

In a research note published last December, analysts Kwon Hee-jin, Ryu Jin-i and Kim Se-young said the US Federal Reserve would likely hold rates steady but could shift toward a more hawkish stance given strong employment figures amid inflation concerns.

The Fed is widely expected to hold its benchmark interest rate at its Federal Open Market Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday local time, though policymakers may leave the door open to future rate increases.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday local time on social media that a deal to end the war with Iran was set to be signed and that the Strait of Hormuz would open immediately after the signing.


park.jiyeong@heraldcorp.com