KOSPI Steady in Early Trading... Will the 2500 Level Break?

After a Firm Start, Market Turns Downward
Cautious Sentiment Ahead of US Reciprocal Tariff Policy and President Yoon's Impeachment Verdict

On the 2nd, the KOSPI remained flat in the early session. Investors continued to tread cautiously ahead of the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Seok-yeol and the announcement of the US reciprocal tariff policy.

On this day, the KOSPI opened at 2525.62, up 0.17% from the previous day. It then shifted to a slight decline, recording 2501.69 as of 9:24 AM.

By investor type, only individual investors showed net buying worth 196.1 billion KRW. Foreigners and institutions each showed net selling of 166.8 billion KRW and 35.1 billion KRW, respectively.

Almost all sectors were in decline. Several sectors fell more than 1%, including Pharmaceuticals (-1.85%), Metals (-1.16%), Chemicals (-1.13%), Medical & Precision Instruments (-1.11%), and Transportation & Warehousing (-1.07%). Only the Food & Beverage & Tobacco sector rose slightly by 0.07%.

Among the top 10 companies by market capitalization, many sectors also declined. Celltrion had the largest drop at -2.8%, followed by Samsung Biologics (-1.9%), Kia (-1.2%), Hyundai Motor (-1.1%), Samsung Electronics (-0.5%), NAVER (-0.3%), and LG Energy Solution (-0.1%). KB Financial (0.8%), SK Hynix (0.7%), and Hanwha Aerospace (0.1%) rose.

The KOSDAQ showed a similar trend. After opening at 695.37, up 0.57% from the previous day, it turned downward. It fell below the 690 level, recording 685.33 as of 9:24 AM.

In the KOSDAQ market, only individual investors showed net buying worth 111.3 billion KRW. Foreigners and institutions showed net selling of 93.5 billion KRW and 10.7 billion KRW, respectively.

Many sectors were in decline. The largest drops were in Non-metallic Minerals (-1.09%), General Services (-1.08%), Other Manufacturing (-1.01%), and Metals (-0.99%). Only Publishing & Media Reproduction (1.32%) and Construction (0.23%) rose.

Among the top 10 companies by market capitalization, there were mixed results. Hugel (3.0%), Classys (1.5%), Rainbow Robotics (1.3%), and Pharma Research (0.5%) rose. Meanwhile, HLB (-3.1%), Rigachem Bio (-2.9%), EcoPro BM (-2.3%), Alteogen (-1.7%), Samchundang Pharm (-1.5%), and EcoPro (-1.4%) fell.