The KOSPI fell by more than 1% due to heavy net selling by foreign investors, dropping below the 3,200 mark. The KOSDAQ also slid by more than 2%, falling below the 800 level.
On August 18, the KOSPI closed at 3,177.28, down 48.38 points (1.50%) from the previous trading day.
The KOSPI opened at 3,202.63, down 0.71% from the previous session. The index quickly widened its losses as soon as trading began, immediately surrendering the 3,200 level. Due to continued net selling by foreign investors, the index was unable to recover the 3,200 mark and ended the day at this lower level.
By investor type, individuals and institutions were net buyers, purchasing 357.6 billion won and 79 billion won, respectively. In contrast, foreign investors were net sellers, offloading 541.5 billion won.
By sector, electrical and electronics stocks plunged 2.68%. This appears to be influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of upcoming semiconductor tariffs. The financial sector also dropped by 2.04%. In addition, textiles and apparel, securities, metals, chemicals, and retail all fell by more than 1%. On the other hand, transportation and warehousing, as well as electric and gas, rose by more than 1%.
Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics closed at 70,000 won, down 1,600 won (2.23%) from the previous session. KB Financial Group dropped 5.30%, and SK Hynix fell 3.25%. Kia and Celltrion both declined by more than 1%. In contrast, Hanwha Ocean rose by 2.44%.
On the KOSPI, 198 stocks rose without any hitting the upper limit, while 701 stocks fell with none hitting the lower limit. There were 35 unchanged stocks.
The KOSDAQ closed at 798.05, down 17.21 points (2.11%) from the previous trading day.
By investor type, foreign investors and institutions were net sellers, offloading 43.6 billion won and 119.1 billion won, respectively. In contrast, individuals were net buyers, purchasing 171 billion won.
Most sectors declined, with other manufacturing down 3.99%. Machinery and equipment, transportation and warehousing, chemicals, electrical and electronics, medical and precision, pharmaceuticals, textiles and apparel, and paper and wood all fell by more than 2%. In contrast, non-metallic minerals posted a slight gain.
Among the top market cap stocks, Alteogen rose by 2,500 won (0.57%) to close at 439,500 won. ABL Bio also climbed 2.63%. In contrast, Peptron plunged 8.49%, while EcoPro BM, EcoPro, PharmaResearch, LIG ChemBio, and HLB dropped between 2% and 5%.
On the KOSDAQ market, 372 stocks rose, including five stocks-Aurora, Yulho, Foodwell, and others-that hit the upper limit. Meanwhile, 1,280 stocks fell, including two-CreoSG and Cellumed-that hit the lower limit, and 72 stocks remained unchanged.
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