KOSPI and KOSDAQ Decline Widens... Foreigners and Institutions Turn to 'Sell'

All Top 10 KOSPI Stocks by Market Cap Decline
Foreigners 'Sell' in Futures Market
Exchange Rate Starts Up 6.6 Won at 1382.0 Won

Due to concerns over rising oil prices amid Middle East instability caused by Iran's airstrikes on Israel, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ indices started lower on the 15th, while the won-dollar exchange rate increased. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

On the 15th, the Korean stock market started lower and continued to widen its losses. Foreign investors and institutions turned from 'buyers' to 'sellers' shortly after the market opened, pulling the index down. The exchange rate opened at 1,382.0 won, up 6.6 won from the previous session.

As of 9:12 AM, the KOSPI is trading at 2,657.98, down 0.89% (23.84 points) from the previous trading day. The KOSPI opened at 2,661.36, down 0.76% (20.46 points) from the previous close.

Foreign investors and institutions are net sellers of 14.3 billion won and 700 million won respectively, dragging the index down. Only individual investors are net buyers with 21.3 billion won. In the futures market, foreign investors alone are selling 458.8 billion won, while individuals and institutions are buying 324.1 billion won and 131.4 billion won respectively.

All of the top 10 stocks by market capitalization are in decline. Notable drops include POSCO Holdings -2.15%, Celltrion -1.59%, NAVER -1.40%, and LG Chem -1.27%.

As of 9:18 AM, the KOSDAQ is at 844.80, down 1.82% (15.67 points) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ opened at 850.21, down 1.19% (10.26 points) from the previous close. Foreign investors are net sellers of 27.6 billion won, while individuals and institutions are net buyers of 28.2 billion won and 2.7 billion won respectively.

Among the top 10 stocks by market capitalization on the KOSDAQ, only HPSP (+0.81%) is rising. Significant declines include Enchem -6.64%, EO Technics -3.85%, Rainbow Robotics -3.22%, and Rino Industries -2.91%.

In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate opened at 1,382.0 won, up 6.6 won from the previous trading day’s 1,375.4 won.