KOSDAQ Also Turns Lower,
Ends Slightly Weaker
On the 13th, the KOSPI index closed lower after foreign investors' selling erased intraday gains. The KOSDAQ index also ended weaker as foreign and institutional investors dumped shares.
On the day, the KOSPI closed at 2,573.64, down 0.05% from the previous trading day. The index started with a slight gain and showed an upward trend throughout the morning but declined sharply in the afternoon. Foreign and individual investors sold 492.6 billion KRW and 63.5 billion KRW respectively, leading the decline. Institutions were net buyers with 444.4 billion KRW.
Most sectors showed a downward trend. Metals fell the most by 3.06%, followed by textiles and apparel (-1.71%), pharmaceuticals (-1.41%), insurance (-1.36%), transportation and warehousing (-1.15%), entertainment and culture (-0.89%), and construction (-0.76%). Transportation equipment and parts (3.07%), medical and precision instruments (1.14%), and general services (1.14%) also declined.
Most of the large-cap stocks also gave up their gains. Samsung Electronics, which started higher, closed down 0.36% at 54,700 KRW, and SK Hynix (0.40%) maintained gains but weakened compared to early trading. LG Energy Solution (-2.30%) and Samsung Biologics (-2.41%) saw their losses widen toward the end of the session. Hyundai Motor (1.41%), Kia (1.31%), NAVER (0.93%), and Hanwha Aerospace (6.32%) closed strong.
The KOSDAQ showed a similar trend to the KOSPI, closing down 0.92% at 722.80. Institutions and foreign investors sold 119.7 billion KRW and 86.0 billion KRW respectively, while individuals bought 210.6 billion KRW.
Most sectors were weak. Pharmaceuticals fell the most by 2.07%, followed by machinery and equipment (-1.78%), finance (-1.61%), manufacturing (-1.37%), electrical and electronics (-1.29%), and paper and wood (-1.18%). Publishing and media reproduction (1.26%), construction (0.57%), and transportation and warehousing (0.07%) rose.
Among the large-cap stocks, Alteogen (3.88%), Kolon TissueGene (6.41%), and Classys (2.04%) rose, while EcoPro BM (-3.18%), HLB (-5.48%), EcoPro (-2.71%), and Rainbow Robotics (-2.69%) showed weakness.
Ji-won Kim, a researcher at KB Securities, explained, “The market started higher due to slowing U.S. consumer inflation, but turned lower amid increased volatility in supply-demand and exchange rates due to futures and options expiration. Especially, foreign selling intensified in the late session.”
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