KOSPI Shows Strong Wait-and-See Sentiment, Fluctuates Around 3210 in Early Trading

Cautious Trading Ahead of U.S. Inflation Data Release

This week, ahead of the release of major U.S. inflation indicators such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI), a wait-and-see attitude is emerging in the domestic stock market. This is interpreted as being due to the fact that the direction of future U.S. benchmark interest rates will be determined through the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) after these indicators are announced.

On the 11th, the KOSPI opened at 3220.72, up 0.33% from the previous trading day. Since then, it has remained in a narrow range, fluctuating around the 3210 level.

By investor group, only foreign investors recorded a net purchase of 128.9 billion KRW. Individual investors and institutions showed net sales of 94.7 billion KRW and 28.2 billion KRW, respectively.

The KOSDAQ also started slightly higher at 810.51, up 0.15% from the previous trading day. It has since hovered around the 810 level, moving up and down within a narrow range.

More sectors declined than rose. The largest drops were seen in securities (-2.73%), food, beverage and tobacco (-1.20%), transportation equipment and parts (-0.88%), construction (-0.82%), and transportation and storage (-0.83%), in that order. In contrast, machinery and equipment (2.54%) and metals (1.07%) posted gains.

Most of the top 10 stocks by market capitalization were on the rise. Doosan Enerbility recorded the largest increase at 4.3%. This was followed by SK Hynix (2.5%), LG Energy Solution (1.5%), Samsung Biologics (0.9%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (0.8%), and Hanwha Aerospace (0.7%). Samsung Electronics (-0.7%) and Hyundai Motor (-0.2%) declined.

In the KOSDAQ market, only individual investors showed a net purchase of 61.2 billion KRW. Foreign investors and institutions recorded net sales of 44.2 billion KRW and 5.6 billion KRW, respectively.

Unlike the KOSPI, more stocks rose in the KOSDAQ. Many sectors posted gains of over 1%, including paper and wood (1.90%), chemicals (1.38%), transportation and storage (1.28%), finance (1.28%), electrical and electronics (1.19%), and metals (1.14%). However, transportation and storage (-2.30%), construction (-1.20%), and pharmaceuticals (-0.71%) declined.

Among the top 10 stocks by market capitalization, more stocks declined. HLB (-2.7%), LIG ChemBio (-2.5%), Alteogen (-0.7%), and Hugel (-0.5%) posted the largest drops. In contrast, Ecopro BM (5.0%) and Ecopro (3.8%) rose.

Dealers are working at the Hana Bank dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul, where the KOSPI index started the day at 3220.72, up 0.33% from the previous trading day on the 11th. 2025.8.11 Photo by Kang Jinhyung