KOSPI Opens Lower at 2,480... KOSDAQ Also Slightly Down

KOSPI Drops on Individual Selling
Most Top Market Cap Stocks Fall

On April 22, both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets opened lower, following a sharp decline in the US stock market.

On the 21st, as the KOSPI index started the session in a steady range ahead of tariff-related negotiations between the Korean and US governments and the full-scale earnings season, dealers were working in the dealing room at the Hana Bank headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. On the same day, the won-dollar exchange rate began trading at 1,420 won, down 3.3 won from the previous trading day. 2025.4.21. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

As of 9:06 a.m. on the same day, the KOSPI stood at 2,478.91, down 0.38% from the previous trading day. The index started at 2,481.18, a decrease of 0.29% from the previous session, and has continued to show a slight downward trend. Individual investors have sold a net 62.2 billion won, while institutional investors and foreigners have bought 36.3 billion won and 26.0 billion won, respectively.

Most sectors are declining, but the losses are limited. Machinery and equipment (-0.82%), electrical and electronics (-0.73%), paper and wood (-0.60%), medical and precision instruments (-0.59%), electricity and gas (-0.56%), and textiles, apparel, and manufacturing (-0.46%) are among those falling. In contrast, transportation and storage (0.59%), entertainment and culture (-0.29%), and metals (0.19%) are rising.

Among the top 10 stocks by market capitalization, all are declining except for Celltrion (0.19%). Samsung Electronics (-0.54%), SK Hynix (-1.25%), LG Energy Solution (-0.30%), Samsung Biologics and Hyundai Motor (-0.37%) are all down.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was at 714.43, down 0.14% from the previous session. It opened at 711.42, a decrease of 0.56% from the previous trading day, and has remained in a slightly downward range. Individual investors have made a net sale of 22.9 billion won, while foreigners and institutions have bought 24.9 billion won and 4.0 billion won, respectively.

By sector, transportation equipment and parts (-0.70%), food, beverage, and tobacco (-0.71%), machinery and equipment (-0.61%), distribution (-0.57%), finance (-0.56%), and electrical and electronics (-0.53%) are declining, while construction (0.56%), non-metallic minerals (0.45%), publishing and media reproduction (0.42%), and pharmaceuticals (0.31%) are rising.

Among the top stocks by market capitalization, Alteogen (0.06%), Rainbow Robotics (0.35%), Hugel (2.04%), Classys (0.32%), Ligachem Bio (2.06%), and PharmaResearch (1.04%) are rising, while Ecopro BM (-0.53%), HLB (-1.50%), and Ecopro (-1.27%) are declining.