The KOSPI index closed slightly lower as net selling by institutions and foreigners was offset by net buying by individuals.
On the 2nd, the KOSPI index closed at 2,398.94, down 0.55 points (0.02%) from the previous day. Trading volume was 344.7 million shares, and the trading value was tentatively estimated at 6.7912 trillion KRW.
On the last trading day of last year, the New York stock market showed weakness with light trading volume amid no particular issues. This was interpreted as profit-taking selling mainly in large tech stocks. On this day, the KOSPI index started with a slight rise, then moved sideways as net selling by institutions and foreigners and net buying by individuals continued.
By investor type, institutions and foreigners net sold 199.2 billion KRW and 238.4 billion KRW respectively, while individuals net bought 355.7 billion KRW. Program trading saw net selling of 66.3 billion KRW in arbitrage trading and 217.2 billion KRW in non-arbitrage trading.
Sector performance was mixed. The machinery and equipment sector surged 5.28%, followed by transportation and warehousing 3.59%, medical precision 3.36%, transportation equipment 2.11%, real estate 1.56%, textiles and apparel 1.36%, entertainment and culture 1.36%, and paper and wood 0.85%. On the other hand, the electric and gas sector fell 2.13%, pharmaceuticals -2.09%, insurance -1.56%, general services -1.34%, and chemicals -1.15% closed lower.
Top market capitalization stocks also showed mixed movements. Samsung Electronics rose 0.38%, Kia 0.89%, KB Financial 0.6%, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries 0.52%, Shinhan Financial Group 0.21%, and Hyundai Mobis 5.29%. Conversely, SK Hynix fell 1.55%, LG Energy Solution -0.57%, Samsung Biologics -1.58%, Hyundai Motor -0.24%, Celltrion -3.84%, and NAVER -2.56% showed weakness.
On the day, 455 companies rose, 427 fell, and 60 traded flat. One stock hit the upper price limit.
The KOSDAQ index showed strong gains. It closed at 686.63, up 8.44 points (1.24%) from the previous day. By investor type, institutions and individuals net bought 23.3 billion KRW and 104.6 billion KRW respectively, while foreigners net sold 129 billion KRW.
Top market capitalization stocks showed mixed results. Alteogen fell 3.07%, EcoPro BM -4.0%, EcoPro -4.0%, Ligand Chem Bio -0.18%, Hugel -6.42%, and Shinseong Delta Tech -7.08%. Meanwhile, Rainbow Robotics, where Samsung Electronics became the largest shareholder, hit the upper price limit, and HLB rose 0.41%, Samchundang Pharmaceutical 1.55%, Classys 9.76%, and Lino Industrial 3.34% closed higher.
Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won/dollar exchange rate traded at 1,467.2 won, down 5.1 won from the previous day.
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