KOSPI Stabilizes After Sharp Drop... Closes Firmly Above 2330 Level

Started with a 2% Gain, but Gains Narrowed
KOSDAQ Closes at 658.45, Up 1.10%

On the 8th, the KOSPI stabilized from its sharp decline but gave back intraday gains to close slightly higher. The KOSDAQ ended the day strong, though its gains narrowed compared to early trading.

On the 8th, dealers are working in the Hana Bank dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul, where the KOSPI index showed a rebound of nearly 2% in the early session, recovering from the sharp drop the previous day. 2025.4.8. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

On that day, the KOSPI closed at 2,334.23, up 0.26% from the previous trading day. The index opened at 2,381.20, up 2.28% from the previous close, but trimmed much of its gains in the afternoon. Foreign investors sold 642.2 billion KRW, and institutions also net sold 89.8 billion KRW. However, individual investors bought 601.2 billion KRW, supporting the index.

Sector performance was mixed. Paper & wood (5.39%), transportation equipment & parts (2.70%), non-metallic minerals (2.48%), construction (1.86%), and food & tobacco (1.37%) rose, while IT services (-2.87%), telecommunications (-1.75%), transportation & warehousing (-1.72%), insurance (-1.03%), and finance (-0.79%) declined.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics (0.56%), which announced strong earnings, SK Hynix (2.85%), Hyundai Motor (0.06%), and Hanwha Aerospace (8.72%) showed gains. LG Energy Solution (-1.55%), Samsung Biologics (-0.40%), Celltrion (-0.79%), and Kia (-0.35%) fell.

The KOSDAQ closed at 658.45, up 1.10% from the previous day. However, like the KOSPI, it gave back some intraday gains. Institutions and foreign investors net bought 152.8 billion KRW, while individuals and foreign investors sold 74.4 billion KRW and 73.3 billion KRW, respectively.

By sector, general services (4.28%), construction (2.39%), food & tobacco (2.27%), transportation equipment & parts (1.58%), pharmaceuticals (1.53%), metals (1.48%), and distribution (1.35%) rose, while transportation & warehousing (-2.08%), telecommunications (-1.19%), publishing & media reproduction (-0.68%), and machinery & equipment (-0.19%) declined.

Among the top market cap stocks, Alteogen surged 7.45% from the previous close, showing the largest gain, while EcoPro BM (2.38%), HLB (0.72%), and Hugel (1.08%) also showed strength. Rainbow Robotics (-2.63%), Samchundang Pharm (-6.61%), and Classys (-0.54%) declined.

Ji-won Kim, a researcher at KB Securities, explained, "The index rebounded due to bargain hunting after an excessive short-term drop, but discord over tariffs remains. It is expected that the pace will be adjusted until momentum that alleviates economic concerns is confirmed."