"Stock Market 'January Effect' Expected…Focus on Robot and Bio Stocks" [Weekly Outlook]

NH Investment & Securities suggests "KOSPI index 4100~4350"

Expectations for CES and J.P. Morgan events due to the 'January effect'

Focus on physical AI and pharmaceutical/biotech-related sectors

The securities industry (street) expects that the domestic stock market this week (5~9) will show an upward trend, buoyed by the 'January effect' as expectations for new fund inflows grow. In particular, advice has emerged that attention should be paid to robot and bio-related stocks on the KOSDAQ market ahead of events such as the world's largest IT and home appliance exhibition, 'CES 2026'.

According to the financial investment industry on the 4th, NH Investment & Securities presented an expected KOSPI index range of 4100~4350 for this week. The maximum upside potential compared to the previous week's last trading day's closing price (4309.63) is 0.94%.

Securities firms offer the assessment that the so-called 'January effect' is worth expecting. Typically, at the beginning of the year, the market has tended to rise due to investor optimism even without special positive news. It is observed that investors who sold holdings at the end of the year to avoid designation as major shareholders for capital gains tax may resume buying, and one can expect buying volumes from institutional investors rebalancing their portfolios.

Na Jeong-hwan, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities, noted, 'The beginning of the year is a time when expectations for new capital inflows expand,' adding, 'It is also the time when government measures to support the KOSDAQ market and venture-related policies such as the National Growth Fund are being implemented in earnest.'

In particular, there is also expectation that CES 2026 (coming 6~9) and the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (12~15) to be held this month could act as upward momentum for the robot and bio sectors. The key theme at this CES 2026 is 'physical AI' (physical artificial intelligence), and since major domestic companies will showcase humanoid-related technologies, interest from foreign investors in robot stocks could increase.

Na emphasized, 'In Hyundai Motor's case, the fact that its subsidiary Boston Dynamics will demonstrate the humanoid 'Atlas' for the first time could act as an upward momentum for the stock price.'

Kim Jong-min, a researcher at Samsung Securities, said, 'If the AI sector is adjusted due to short-term overheating or liquidity noise, bio stocks will complement portfolio stability and provide another opportunity for excess performance,' and he pointed out, 'CES 2026 and the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference held this month will inject strong momentum into the two pillars of AI and bio.'

In this situation, it is recommended to pay attention to physical AI and pharmaceutical/biotech-related stocks on the KOSDAQ market. NH Investment & Securities recommended Hyundai Motor and Robotis as physical AI-related stocks and ABL Bio as a bio stock. Samsung Securities listed Hyundai Motor and Robotis as physical AI stocks, and Samsung Bioepis Holdings, ABL Bio, and Olix among biotech stocks.

Ko Jeong-sam, Hankyung.com reporter jsk@hankyung.com