Foreign and Institutional Selling Weighs on KOSPI, Weakness Continues in Afternoon Session... Below 2500 Level

The won-dollar exchange rate started at 1,326.0 won on the 19th, up 5.3 won from the previous trading day (1,320.7 won), at the Hana Bank dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul. On the same day, the KOSPI opened at 2,510.72, up 2.67 points (0.11%) from the previous trading day. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The KOSPI index continues its weak trend into the afternoon session.

As of 1:47 PM on the 19th, the KOSPI index stands at 2,498.54, down 0.38% (9.51 points) compared to the previous trading day. The index opened at 2,510.72, up 0.11% (2.67 points) from the previous day, but turned downward early in the session and has been weak below the 2,500 level.

By investor type, individual investors alone purchased stocks worth 295.3 billion KRW. In contrast, foreigners and institutions sold net amounts of 120.5 billion KRW and 186.3 billion KRW, respectively.

Among the top 10 market capitalization stocks, all except SK Hynix (1.04%) and Hyundai Motor (2.96%) are declining. These include Samsung Electronics (-0.98%), LG Energy Solution (-0.33%), Samsung Biologics (-0.57%), Samsung Electronics Preferred (-0.89%), LG Chem (-1.08%), Samsung SDI (-1.44%), NAVER (-0.80%), and Kakao (-2.78%).

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is trading at 819.22, down 0.83% (6.84 points) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ opened at 827.25, up 0.14% (1.19 points) from the previous day.

By investor type, individual investors again purchased stocks worth 221.9 billion KRW. Meanwhile, foreigners and institutions sold stocks worth 141.2 billion KRW and 76.1 billion KRW, respectively.

Among the top market capitalization stocks on the KOSDAQ, all except HLB (2.95%) are declining. Celltrion Healthcare (-0.27%), EcoPro BM (-2.97%), L&F (-4.90%), Kakao Games (-2.80%), Pearl Abyss (-0.35%), Celltrion Pharm (-0.72%), Alteogen (-1.58%), EcoPro (-2.89%), and Chunbo (-4.27%) recorded losses.