KOSPI Declines Intraday on Net Selling by Foreign Investors and Institutions

On the 20th, the KOSPI index fluctuated around the 4900 mark. The status board in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul, displays the KOSPI index, KOSDAQ index, and exchange rates. January 20, 2026. Photo by Dongju Yoon

The KOSPI is experiencing an intraday decline, pressured by net selling from foreign investors and institutions.

As of 10:01 a.m. on January 20, the KOSPI was trading at 4,852.35, down 1.07% from the previous day.

By investor type, institutions and foreign investors had net sold 495.9 billion won and 391.6 billion won, respectively, while individual investors had net bought 851.5 billion won. In the futures market, institutions and individuals had net bought 669.9 billion won and 169.4 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors had net sold 800 billion won.

By industry, performances were mixed. The electricity and gas sector surged by 5.44%, telecommunications rose 3.06%, insurance 2.38%, textiles and apparel 1.58%, entertainment and culture 1.39%, general services 1.19%, food, beverage, and tobacco 1.17%, and chemicals 1.05%. On the other hand, the electrical and electronics sector fell by 2.33%, transportation equipment by 1.69%, manufacturing by 1.65%, machinery and equipment by 1.45%, securities by 1.19%, and medical precision by 1.16%.

Among large-cap stocks, performances were also mixed. Samsung Electronics dropped 2.95%, SK Hynix 2.75%, Hyundai Motor 2.29%, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries 1.77%, Kia 3.13%, Doosan Enerbility 2.2%, and SK Square 1.15%. Meanwhile, LG Energy Solution gained 1%, Samsung Biologics 0.31%, and Hanwha Aerospace 0.98%.

The KOSDAQ index, meanwhile, was on an upward trend. The KOSDAQ was trading at 975.23, up 0.7% from the previous day. By investor type, institutions and individuals had net bought 44.1 billion won and 72.8 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors had net sold 105.7 billion won.

Most large-cap KOSDAQ stocks were strong. Alteogen rose 1.41%, EcoPro BM 3.5%, EcoPro 4.21%, ABL Bio 2.69%, HLB 1.94%, Samchundang Pharm 1.27%, Kolon TissueGene 0.93%, and LIG ChemBio 0.66%. On the other hand, Rainbow Robotics fell 4.26%, Peptone 0.21%, and Lino Industrial 1.21%.

Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won/dollar exchange rate was trading at 1,475.4 won, up 2 won from the previous day.