Foreigners 'call the shots' as Jisoo dips
Semiconductors rise, batteries fall
Foreigners buy Samsung Electronics for the first time in 12 trading days
Samsung Electronics closed up more than 7% on the 15th, driven by net buying from foreign investors.
On the 15th, the KOSPI closed slightly lower due to net selling by foreigners. The KOSPI fell below the 2400 mark during the morning session but managed to rebound, only to plunge again just before the market closed. Samsung Electronics, which had reached the '40,000 won level' the previous day, surged over 7% and settled in the 50,000 won range as foreigners switched to net selling after 12 trading days.
The KOSPI closed at 2416.86, down 2.00% (0.08 points) from the previous day. It opened at 2413.05, down 0.24% (5.81 points) from the previous close. During the morning session, it dropped to 2390.56, down 1.17%, but rebounded in the afternoon. However, it fell again with 2 minutes left before the close, ending on a downward trend.
Individual investors alone defended the index by net buying 31.1 billion KRW. Foreigners showed buying momentum until the afternoon but turned to selling. Foreigners and institutions net sold 74.1 billion KRW and 14 billion KRW respectively, pulling the index down at the end. In the futures market, foreigners and institutions sold 84.1 billion KRW and 67.6 billion KRW respectively. Institutions alone bought 158.4 billion KRW.
Among the top 10 stocks by market capitalization, semiconductor and battery sectors showed mixed results. Samsung Electronics closed at 53,500 won, up 7.21% from the previous day. Foreigners and institutions net bought 133.8 billion KRW and 53.1 billion KRW respectively. Foreigners returned to net buying Samsung Electronics after 12 trading days. Other stocks such as SK Hynix +3.01%, Hyundai Motor +2.23%, and NAVER +0.80% also ended higher.
On the other hand, LG Energy Solution closed down 12.09% at 371,000 won. This was due to a significant decline in investor sentiment in the battery sector after foreign media reported on the previous day (local time) that the Trump administration plans to abolish tax credits as part of a broad tax reform bill. Other notable declines included Shinhan Financial Group -4.96% and Samsung Biologics -2.09%.
The KOSDAQ closed at 685.42, up 0.57% (3.86 points) from the previous day. It opened at 675.64, down 0.87% (5.92 points) from the previous close, but foreigners and institutions net bought 86.7 billion KRW and 136 billion KRW respectively, lifting the index. Individual investors alone net sold 211.9 billion KRW.
Among the top 10 stocks by market capitalization, battery stocks showed weakness. Ecopro BM -7.85%, Ecopro -4.81%, and Alteogen -0.91% declined. In contrast, Samchundang Pharmaceutical +7.47%, HPSP +5.51%, Enchem +2.84%, and HLB +2.64% showed notable gains.
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