[Asia Economy Reporter Myunghwan Lee] On the morning of the 21st, the KOSPI index fell below the 2700 level and has struggled to rebound even in the afternoon. Although individual investors are countering with net purchases of around 490 billion KRW, the selling pressure from foreigners and institutions is so strong that it is insufficient. The KOSDAQ index is fluctuating within a narrow range.
As of 1:22 PM, the KOSPI stands at 2969.69, down 0.38% (10.33 points) from the previous trading day. The KOSPI opened at 2717.81, up 0.40% (10.79 points) from the previous day, but soon turned downward and fell below 2700 around 10:45 AM. Since then, it has hovered around the 2690 level. By investor type, individuals alone have net purchased 491.3 billion KRW to support the market, while foreigners and institutions sold 236.9 billion KRW and 259.9 billion KRW respectively.
Looking at the top market capitalization stocks, LG Energy Solution rose 2.49%, maintaining a strong upward trend into the afternoon. Other chemical-related stocks such as Samsung SDI (1.19%) and LG Chem (0.61%) also increased. Most other stocks, including Samsung Electronics which fell 0.71%, declined. Kakao dropped 1.84%, showing the largest decline, followed by SK Hynix (-1.21%), NAVER (-1.45%), Samsung Electronics Preferred (-0.16%), and Hyundai Motor (-0.58%). Samsung Biologics is trading at the same price as the previous day, 828,000 KRW.
By sector, chemicals (1.28%), paper & wood (0.67%), and non-metallic minerals (0.49%) rose, while electricity & gas (-3.14%), medical precision (-2.82%), and banking (-2.58%) sectors saw significant declines.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is at 923.65, up 0.07% (0.69 points) from the previous day. The KOSDAQ opened at 926.86, up 0.42% (3.90 points), but soon turned downward. It has since been moving between 923 and 924. By investor type, individuals and institutions net purchased 53.5 billion KRW and 10.1 billion KRW respectively, while foreigners alone sold 58.2 billion KRW.
Among the top market capitalization stocks, EcoPro BM rose 1.88% to 369,300 KRW. L&F (3.12%), HLB (0.45%), Chunbo (1.13%), and CJ ENM (3.22%) also increased. On the other hand, KOSDAQ leader Celltrion Healthcare fell 1.65%, along with Pearl Abyss (-0.19%), Kakao Games (-2.47%), Celltrion Pharm (-1.43%), and Wemade (-1.96%).
By sector, food & tobacco surged 2.27%, along with broadcasting services (1.84%) and transportation (1.82%). Conversely, other services (-1.53%), entertainment & culture (-1.09%), and pharmaceuticals (-0.97%) declined.
Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, said, "There remain uncertainty factors with pre-reflected easing expectations, so caution regarding short-term volatility expansion should be maintained. Until the KOSPI surpasses the short-term resistance range of 2720 to 2740, it is necessary to refrain from chasing purchases and focus on a strategy of increasing weight by utilizing volatility."
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