Foreign and Institutional Investors Sell Together... KOSPI Opens Lower

The KOSPI, which had been on a steep upward trend, began to take a breather as it opened lower on October 17.

As of 9:20 a.m. on this day, the KOSPI was trading at 3,737.16, down 12.21 points (0.33%) from the previous trading day.

On the 17th, employees were working in the dealing room at the headquarters of Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul. On this day, the KOSPI opened at 3732.76, down 15.61 points (0.42%) from the previous session, and the won/dollar exchange rate started at 1417.0 won, down 0.9 won. Photo by Yonhap News

Individual investors are net buyers of 160.9 billion won, while foreign investors and institutions are net sellers of 59.4 billion won and 107.7 billion won, respectively.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics (-0.10%), LG Energy Solution (-1.31%), Samsung Biologics (-0.62%), and Doosan Enerbility (-1.91%) are showing declines. In contrast, SK Hynix (0.33%), Hyundai Motor (0.83%), and Hanwha Aerospace (0.64%) are on the rise.

The KOSDAQ is at 863.48, down 1.93 points (0.22%) from the previous session. Individuals and foreign investors are net buyers of 16.5 billion won and 6.5 billion won, respectively, while institutions alone are net sellers of 22.2 billion won.

Among the top KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, Alteogen (0.17%), Ecopro BM (1.54%), Ecopro (7.97%), and PharmaResearch (3.55%) are rising. On the other hand, Rainbow Robotics (-0.44%), Peptron (-2.73%), and HLB (-1.57%) are declining.

Lee Sangjun, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities, stated, "Since the KOSPI broke through the 3,700-point mark in a short period, there may be pressure for profit-taking." He added, "Although uncertainty over the U.S.-China trade dispute has eased following Trump's conciliatory message, it still remains until the APEC summit."

He also forecast, "The current market is structurally bullish, as shareholder return policies are expanding and the Federal Reserve is signaling a dovish monetary policy stance, including hints from Powell about ending quantitative tightening. Even if there is a short-term correction, the upward trend is expected to continue."