KOSPI Plunges Over 3% Amid Wuhan Pneumonia Spread... Retreats to 2170 Level

[Asia Economy Reporter Ji-hwan Park] The KOSPI plunged to its largest drop of the year amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), falling to the 2170 level.

On the 28th, the KOSPI closed at 2176.72, down 3.09% from the previous trading day. The KOSPI index opened at 2192.22, down 53.91 points (2.40%) from the previous session, and the decline widened as time passed. During the session, it even broke below the 2170 level, dropping to as low as 2166.23.

On the day, foreigners and institutions sold net amounts worth 524.7 billion KRW and 192.3 billion KRW respectively in the KOSPI market, while individuals bought net amounts worth 668.5 billion KRW.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix fell by -3.29% and -2.43% respectively, whereas Samsung Biologics rose 2.28%, Hyundai Motor 0.38%, and Samsung SDI 0.53%.

The KOSDAQ index closed at 664.70, down 3.04% from the previous trading day. Individuals bought net amounts worth 179 billion KRW, while foreigners and institutions sold net amounts worth 4.5 billion KRW and 162.7 billion KRW respectively.

In the KOSDAQ market, most of the top market capitalization stocks declined. Celltrion Healthcare (-3.99%), HL Biopharma (-1.07%), CJ ENM (-5.76%), Pearl Abyss (-4.04%), and Studio Dragon (-5.78%) all fell.