KOSPI Rebounds Above 4,000 After Opening Higher

Continued Foreign Selling Pressure

The KOSPI index rebounded after opening higher and regained the 4,000-point level.

As of 10:00 a.m. on December 17, the KOSPI index was trading at 4,009.00, up 9.87 points (0.25%) from the previous day. The index opened at 4,019.43, an increase of 20.30 points (0.51%). While foreign investors are net selling 251.9 billion won, individual investors are net buying 212.3 billion won, and institutions are net buying 34.7 billion won.

The KOSPI index started the day higher on the 17th compared to the previous day. The KOSPI, exchange rate, and KOSDAQ indices are displayed on the status board in the Hana Bank dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon

By sector, electric & gas (2.74%), textiles & apparel (2.58%), non-metallic minerals (1.39%), construction (1.19%), metals (1.09%), insurance (0.80%), and electric & electronics (0.79%) showed gains. On the other hand, some sectors such as machinery & equipment (-1.14%), securities (-1.01%), pharmaceuticals (-0.82%), and real estate (-0.55%) declined.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Korea Electric Power Corporation (3.18%), Samsung Electronics Preferred (1.88%), Samsung Electronics (1.51%), Hanwha Aerospace (1.03%), Shinhan Financial Group (0.92%), and SK Hynix (0.75%) rose. In contrast, Doosan Enerbility (-2.07%), Samsung Biologics (-1.68%), Samsung C&T (-1.03%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-0.76%) declined.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index recorded 915.01, down 1.10 points (0.12%) from the previous day. The index opened at 922.03, up 5.92 points (0.65%), but has been fluctuating within a narrow range. Foreign investors are selling 167.6 billion won, and institutions are selling 139.1 billion won, while individual investors are buying 239.5 billion won.

Among the top KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, Aimed Bio (8.70%), Mezzion (8.04%), Ecopro (5.23%), Samchundang Pharm (2.64%), Alteogen (2.24%), Classys (2.76%), Caregen (1.54%), Ecopro BM (1.39%), and Wonik IPS (1.33%) rose. On the other hand, Peptron (-6.04%), Kolon TissueGene (-4.53%), D&D Pharmatech (-3.94%), Rainbow Robotics (-2.93%), Robotis (-2.74%), ABL Bio (-1.84%), and Ligachem Bio (-1.10%) declined.

Meanwhile, the three major indices on the New York Stock Exchange ended mixed. On December 16 (local time), the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 48,114.26, down 302.3 points (0.62%) from the previous session. The large-cap S&P 500 index ended at 6,800.26, down 16.25 points (0.24%). The tech-heavy Nasdaq index closed at 23,111.462, up 54.049 points (0.23%).