KOSPI Pauses for Breath, Closes in the 4,880-Point Range

On the 20th, ahead of the 5,000-point mark, the KOSPI index fell for the first time in 13 trading days, closing at 4,885.75, down 0.39% from the previous trading day. Photo by Yoon Dongju, January 20, 2026

The KOSPI closed slightly lower, ending the session in the 4,880-point range.

On January 20, the KOSPI finished trading at 4,885.75, down 18.91 points (0.39%) from the previous day. Trading volume was provisionally tallied at 648.74 million shares, with a trading value of 26.883 trillion won.

By investor type, institutions were net sellers of 607 billion won, while foreigners and individual investors were net buyers of 71.7 billion won and 353.1 billion won, respectively, helping to support the index. In the futures market, institutions were net buyers of 388.9 billion won, while foreigners were net sellers of 351 billion won. In program trading, arbitrage trades saw a net buying of 3.313 billion won, while non-arbitrage trades recorded a net selling of 68.6 billion won.

By sector, more sectors rose than fell. The electricity and gas sector surged by 14.4%, while insurance gained 3.96%, telecommunications 3.62%, general services 2.17%, distribution 1.98%, finance 1.85%, metals 1.77%, textiles and apparel 1.72%, paper and wood 1.65%, chemicals 1.63%, and food, beverages, and tobacco 1.51%. On the other hand, the electrical and electronics sector fell by 2.14%, manufacturing by 1.35%, transportation equipment by 1.33%, and securities by 0.54%.

Among large-cap stocks by market capitalization, more stocks declined than rose. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix each dropped by 2.75%, Hyundai Motor by 0.21%, Samsung Biologics by 0.05%, Hanwha Aerospace by 1.58%, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries by 1.08%, Kia by 3.3%, Doosan Enerbility by 0.1%, and SK Square by 1.95%. In contrast, LG Energy Solution rose by 1.13%, KB Financial Group by 2.78%, and Samsung C&T by 2.42%.

The number of advancing stocks for the day was 670, while 228 stocks declined, and 30 stocks were unchanged. One stock hit the upper price limit.

The KOSDAQ index ended higher. On this day, the KOSDAQ closed at 976.37, up 8.01 points (0.83%) from the previous day. By investor type, institutions and foreigners were net buyers of 284.2 billion won and 6.4 billion won, respectively, while individuals were net sellers of 260.1 billion won.

Among the top stocks by market capitalization, performances were mixed. Alteogen fell by 3.02%, Samchundang Pharm by 0.54%, Kolon TissueGene by 1.72%, LIG ChemBio by 0.42%, LIG Nex1 by 2.12%, and Caregen by 0.78%. On the other hand, Ecopro BM and Ecopro rose by 3.83% and 3.47%, respectively, while ABL Bio gained 2.19%, Rainbow Robotics 1.36%, and HLB 0.97%.

Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won/dollar exchange rate is trading at 1,478.4 won, up 5 won from the previous day.