Despite the rise in semiconductor-related stocks including Samsung Electronics, the KOSPI index closed lower on the 22nd.
On that day, the KOSPI index closed at 2599.51, down 0.51 points (0.02%) from the previous session. The index opened at 2617.72, up 17.70 points (0.68%), but selling pressure continued toward the close, resulting in a decline. Institutions bought stocks worth 239.4 billion KRW, while individuals and foreigners sold stocks worth 206.7 billion KRW and 36.6 billion KRW, respectively.
Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics (2.29%), Samsung Biologics (1.12%), Samsung Electronics Preferred (0.33%), Hyundai Mobis (0.22%), Kia (0.21%), LG Electronics (0.20%), Hyundai Motor (0.15%), and SK Hynix (0.07%) rose. On the other hand, POSCO Future M (-3.53%), Shinhan Financial Group (-1.27%), POSCO Holdings (-1.23%), Celltrion (-1.17%), KB Financial Group (-1.13%), LG Chem (-1.01%), and LG Energy Solution (-0.83%) fell.
By sector, Medical Precision (1.90%), Textile & Apparel (1.49%), Transportation & Warehousing (1.04%), Pharmaceuticals (0.85%), and Food & Beverage (0.83%) rose. Meanwhile, Telecommunications (-0.66%), Steel & Metals (-0.40%), Machinery (-0.32%), Finance (-0.32%), Insurance (-0.32%), Chemicals (-0.30%), and Medical Precision (-0.28%) declined.
The KOSDAQ index closed at 854.62, down 4.82 points (0.56%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 863.35, up 3.91 points (0.45%), showing a slight upward trend before eventually closing near the flat line. Foreigners bought stocks worth 88.4 billion KRW, while individuals and institutions sold stocks worth 28.2 billion KRW and 23.1 billion KRW, respectively.
Among the top market capitalization stocks, LS Materials (4.33%), POSCO DX (3.99%), Soulbrain (1.02%), and Celltrion Pharm (0.67%) rose. Conversely, Wemade (-13.34%), L&F (-4.04%), EcoPro BM (-3.76%), EcoPro (-3.47%), HPSP (-2.76%), and Kakao Games (-2.48%) declined.
KB Securities researchers Ji-won Kim, Tae-yun Sun, and Jeong-eun Lim said, "Despite Samsung Electronics' rise, overall cautious sentiment ahead of the holidays and year-end led to a flat close," adding, "China's announcement of changes to online gaming policies acted as a concern, causing domestic gaming companies to plummet simultaneously."
Mirae Asset Securities researchers Seok-hwan Kim and Su-jin Park said, "The rise in the US stock market and the strength of the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index also lifted domestic semiconductor stocks," but noted, "With the Christmas holiday approaching, overall trading volume shrank, limiting the extent of gains." They added, "Expectations rose following Micron's strong earnings announcement, leading both Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to hit 52-week highs. The outlook for a rebound in the memory semiconductor market also had a positive effect."
In the Seoul foreign exchange market that day, the won-dollar exchange rate closed at 1,303 won, down 2.1 won from the previous trading day.
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