KOSPI Breaks 3,200 but Ends Lower After Brief Rally

KOSPI Closes at 3,175.77 as Investor Pressure Mounts After Consecutive Gains
KOSDAQ Finishes Above 800 Mark

The KOSPI index broke through the 3,200 mark for the first time in 3 years and 9 months but ended the session lower. After four consecutive days of gains, profit-taking led to a wave of sell-offs.

On July 11, the KOSPI closed at 3,175.77, down 7.46 points (0.23%) from the previous session. Early in the session, the KOSPI climbed as high as 3,216.69, surpassing the 3,200 level for the first time since September 2021. However, the index fluctuated throughout the day and ultimately finished lower.

On the 11th, as the domestic stock market capitalization surpassed 3,000 trillion won for the first time in history and the KOSPI index broke through the 3,200 mark for the first time in 3 years and 10 months, reaching an all-time high, the KOSPI index was displayed on the monitor in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul. On this day, the KOSPI opened at 3,186.35, up 3.12 points (0.10%) from the previous session. 2025.7.11 Photo by Cho Yongjun

On this day, foreign investors and institutional investors recorded net sales of 154.4 billion won and 87.9 billion won, respectively. Individual investors, on the other hand, were net buyers, purchasing 221.9 billion won worth of shares.

Samsung Electronics, the largest company by market capitalization, rose 2.62%. This is believed to be due to the positive reception of the newly unveiled Galaxy Z Flip 7 smartphone. In addition, LG Energy Solution and KB Financial Group gained 1.10% and 0.43%, respectively.

SK Hynix, which had surpassed 300,000 won during the session, closed at 294,500 won, down 2,500 won (0.84%). Samsung Biologics and NAVER fell 2.13% and 2.50%, respectively.

According to analysts, after the KOSPI index rose above the 3,200 mark, profit-taking led to a reversal of gains and a slight downturn.

Lee Kyungmin, a researcher at Daishin Securities, said, "After touching the 3,200 level, the KOSPI faced resistance and gave up its gains. SK Hynix also surpassed the 300,000 won mark for the first time, driven by the rise in Nvidia, but turned lower as profit-taking emerged."

He added, "In addition, there was increased pressure for profit-taking in recently leading sectors such as defense, nuclear power, banking, and food and beverage. As we enter the second-quarter earnings season in a favorable liquidity environment, fundamentals are expected to come into play."

On the same day, the KOSDAQ closed at 800.47, up 2.77 points (0.35%). The KOSDAQ had previously surpassed the 800 mark during trading on June 25. However, this is the first time it has closed above 800 since August 2024.

In the KOSDAQ market, foreign investors and institutional investors recorded net purchases of 56.6 billion won and 9.6 billion won, respectively. Individual investors were net sellers, offloading 63.7 billion won worth of shares.

Among major KOSDAQ stocks, JYP Entertainment rose 5.49%. The girl group Twice from JYP Entertainment made a comeback by releasing their fourth full-length album, "This Is For," in the afternoon. This album is their first full-length release in 3 years and 8 months since "Formula of Love," which was released in November 2021.

Among the top 10 KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, Ecopro BM (3.65%), HLB (1.19%), Ecopro (4.19%), and Leeno Industrial (0.90%) rose. However, Alteogen (-2.23%), Rainbow Robotics (-0.55%), LIG ChemBio (-3.60%), Peptron (-2.64%), and Hugel (-1.70%) declined. Pharmaresearch ended the session unchanged from the previous day.

Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate was trading at 1,375.90 won as of 3:30 p.m., up 3.40 won (0.25%) from the previous session.