KOSPI Opens Lower, Retreats Below 3,600... KOSDAQ Also Weak

Sharp Decline in Semiconductor Stocks

On October 13, the KOSPI started on a weak note, falling below the 3,600 mark. The KOSDAQ also opened with a decline of more than 1%.

As the KOSPI plunged 2% in early trading, the status board in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul, displayed the KOSPI, won/dollar exchange rate, and other indicators on the 13th. On that day, the KOSPI index opened at 3550.08, down 60.52 points (1.68%) from the previous trading day, the won/dollar exchange rate rose 9.0 won to 1430.0, and the KOSDAQ opened at 845.76, down 13.73 points (1.60%). October 13, 2025 Photo by Cho Yongjun

As of 9:18 a.m. on the same day, the KOSPI was at 3,556.35, down 1.50% from the previous trading day. The index opened at 3,550.08, a decrease of 1.68% from the previous session, but has since recovered part of its losses.

Foreign investors are leading the decline, having sold a net 244.1 billion won. In contrast, individual investors and institutions are net buyers, purchasing 129.3 billion won and 106.3 billion won, respectively.

Most sectors are in decline. The largest drops are seen in electrical and electronics (-2.77%), securities (-2.60%), medical and precision instruments (-2.18%), IT services (-1.90%), manufacturing (-1.79%), insurance (-1.68%), transportation and storage (-1.60%), distribution (-1.36%), chemicals (-1.34%), textiles and apparel (-1.02%), and pharmaceuticals (-0.97%). Only the entertainment and culture (1.52%), metals (1.40%), and machinery and equipment (-0.24%) sectors are showing gains. As the index, which had recently surged, is now plunging, the volatility index has soared to 15.86%.

Among large-cap stocks, declines are also prominent. Samsung Electronics (-2.54%) and SK Hynix (-4.67%) are under downward pressure due to a sharp drop in U.S. semiconductor stocks. In addition, LG Energy Solution (-0.56%), Samsung Biologics (-0.30%), Hanwha Aerospace (-0.29%), and KB Financial Group (-0.53%) are also falling. On the other hand, Doosan Enerbility (0.94%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (1.17%), and Hyundai Motor (0.12%) are posting slight gains.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ was at 850.28, down 1.07% from the previous trading day. The index opened at 845.76, a decrease of 1.60% from the previous session, but is gradually narrowing its losses. While individual investors are net sellers of 34.2 billion won, foreign investors and institutions are net buyers, purchasing 29.3 billion won and 6.5 billion won, respectively.

By sector, general services (-1.84%), medical and precision instruments (-1.77%), machinery and equipment (-1.50%), construction (-1.42%), non-metals (-1.38%), distribution (-1.29%), IT services (-1.25%), transportation and storage (-1.20%), telecommunications (-1.19%), pharmaceuticals (-1.07%), manufacturing (-0.99%), and electrical and electronics (-0.94%) are all declining. In contrast, publishing and media reproduction (1.81%), metals (0.82%), and entertainment and culture (0.78%) are rising.

Among the top 10 KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, except for Pharmaresearch (1.66%) and HLB (1.22%), all others are falling: Alteogen (-2.60%), Ecopro BM (-0.62%), Peptron (-3.06%), Ecopro (-0.54%), Rainbow Robotics (-2.28%), LIG ChemBio (-1.00%), ABL Bio (-2.34%), and Samchundang Pharm (-2.15%).