K-Market Midday Report: KOSPI Slips While KOSDAQ Edges Higher as Nuclear and Tech Stocks Rally

The Korean stock market presented a mixed picture at midday, with the benchmark KOSPI declining by 0.61% to 6,656.23, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ gained 0.24% to reach 815.27. Foreign exchange markets saw the USD/KRW trading at 1,385.48, reflecting cautious sentiment amid sector-specific movements.

DOOSAN ENERBILITY (034020) +7.12%

Doosan Enerbility rose 7.12% at midday, driven by strong expectations of securing new nuclear power plant orders in North America and the US [1], [3]. The market was also buoyed by news of a contract win in Oman [6]. However, the stock experienced some early-session weakness due to investor concerns regarding the exact timing of earnings contributions and overall profitability from its expanding overseas power generation projects [5]. Despite these initial worries, the positive outlook for overseas nuclear contracts successfully pushed the stock higher.

Woori Technology Investment Co., Ltd (041190) +15.33%

Woori Technology Investment surged 15.33% as cryptocurrency-related shares rallied. The surge was fueled by Bitcoin's price approaching $80,000 after previously breaking the $70,000 mark [7], [12]. Additionally, market interest was stimulated by rumors surrounding the potential Nasdaq listing of Dunamu [11]. The stock saw strong upward momentum during the August 25 session, reaching 6,570 KRW intraday [8], supported by simultaneous net buying from both foreign and institutional investors [10].

HyundaiEngineering&Construction (000720) +14.77%

Hyundai Engineering & Construction jumped 14.77% during the August 25 session, peaking at 114,700 KRW intraday [14]. The rally was driven by growing market expectations for the expansion of US nuclear power projects in the second half of the year, which highlights the company's potential to secure additional overseas orders [13], [16], [17]. This optimistic outlook prompted heavy buying, with both foreign and institutional investors simultaneously net purchasing the stock [15], driving its rapid double-digit gain.

Hanwha (000880) +19.68%

Hanwha's stock soared 19.68% on August 25, its first trading day following a spin-off and re-listing. The newly established entity, Hanwha Machinery & Service Holdings, hit the daily limit high, boosting investor sentiment [19], [21]. Major brokerage firms subsequently raised their target prices for Hanwha, further intensifying buying pressure [20], [22], [24]. Meanwhile, speculation regarding Hanwha Engine's entry into the North American power market remains unconfirmed as a direct driver of today's price movement [23].

APR (278470) +7.45%

APR rose 7.45%, continuing its upward momentum from the previous session where it traded at 425,250 KRW on August 25 [30]. The gains were primarily driven by robust earnings expectations across the broader cosmetics sector [25] and anticipation surrounding the company's growth in the beauty tech industry [27]. This positive outlook attracted substantial buying interest, with both institutional and foreign investors net purchasing the stock, fueling its recent upward trajectory [27].

Sources

1. [특징주] 두산에너빌리티, "북미 신규 원전 수혜 기대".. '강세' — 글로벌이코노믹 · 2026-08-25
2. 두산에너빌리티 주가 7만원대 지지 전망은? — v.daum.net · 2026-08-23
3. "美 원전 수주 기대" 두산에너빌리티 주가 상승 — gukjenews.com · 2026-08-25
4. 두산에너빌리티 주가 최근 5거래일 하락 지속 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-22
5. 두산에너빌리티 주가 장초반 약세...해외 발전사업 확대, 실적기여 시점과 수익성은? — CBC뉴스 · 2026-08-24
6. 두산에너빌리티 주가, 오만 수주 소식 주목 — v.daum.net · 2026-08-21
7. [특징주] 비트코인 7만달러 돌파에 가상화폐株 '들썩'…우리기술투자 20%↑ — v.daum.net · 2026-08-21
8. 우리기술투자 주가, 8월 25일 장중 6,570원 11.93% 상승 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-25
9. 우리기술투자 주가, 급등세... 왜? — 금강일보 · 2026-08-25
10. [장중수급포착] 우리기술투자, 외국인/기관 동시 순매수… 주가 +11.93% — 뉴스핌 · 2026-08-25
11. 우리기술투자, 두나무 나스닥 상장설에 주가 '강세' — gukjenews.com · 2026-08-25
12. 비트코인 8만달러 육박…우리기술투자 등 가상자산株 강세 — 이코노뉴스 · 2026-08-25
13. 현대건설 주가 장중 9%대 강세, 하반기 미국 원전 확대에 따른 추가 수주 가능성 부각 — 비즈니스포스트 · 2026-08-25
14. 현대건설 주가, 8월 25일 장중 114,700원 8.62% 상승 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-25
15. [장중수급포착] 현대건설, 외국인/기관 동시 순매수… 주가 +12.03% — 뉴스핌 · 2026-08-25
16. 현대건설 주가 10% 급등 "美 신규 원전 추진 기대" — gukjenews.com · 2026-08-25
17. [특징주] 증권가 하반기 원전 기대감 크다…현대건설, 8% 강세 — 아주경제 · 2026-08-25
18. 현대건설 주가, 급등세... 왜? — 금강일보 · 2026-08-25
19. '인적분할' 한화 주가 장중 19%대 상승, 한화머시너리앤서비스홀딩스는 상한가 — 비즈니스포스트 · 2026-08-25
20. “한화 18만원 뚫을까”...인적분할 후 주가 ‘불기둥’ [오늘, 이 종목] — v.daum.net · 2026-08-25
21. [특징주] 한화, 인적분할 후 재상장 첫날 '급등'.. 신설법인 '상한가' — 글로벌이코노믹 · 2026-08-25
22. 한화, 증권사 목표가 상향에 강세…16.3% — 매일경제 마켓 · 2026-08-25
23. 한화엔진, 그룹사 북미 발전시장 진출 핵심...주가 상승 기대 — 증권일보 · 2026-08-24
24. 한화 주가 24% 급등...인적분할 단행에 목표주가↑ — gukjenews.com · 2026-08-25
25. 에이피알 6% 상승…'실적 기대' 화장품주 일제히 강세[핫종목] — 뉴스1 · 2026-08-24
26. 에이피알 주가 상승 중 — 아시아뉴스통신 · 2026-08-24
27. 에이피알, 뷰티 테크 성장 기대감 속 기관·외국인 매수세 유입하며 급등 : 기업주식정보 — 재경일보 · 2026-08-24
28. 에이피알 주가, 8월 24일 장중 404,000원 4.94% 상승 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-24
29. 에이피알 주가 1,000원 하락 후 장마감 — 아시아뉴스통신 · 2026-08-21
30. 에이피알 주가, 8월 25일 장중 425,250원 3.85% 상승 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-25

This is market commentary, not investment advice.