KOSPI Starts Lower on Pandemic Declaration... Breaks Below 1890 Level

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] The KOSPI index plunged below the 1890 level following the World Health Organization (WHO)'s pandemic declaration.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At 9:07 a.m. on the 12th, the KOSPI stood at 1889.16, down 1% (19.11 points) from the previous session. The index opened at 1887.97, down 20.30 points (1.06%) from the previous close.

In the securities market, individual and foreign investors sold stocks worth 28.3 billion KRW and 58.6 billion KRW respectively. Institutions were the sole buyers, purchasing stocks worth 84.2 billion KRW.

By sector, the declines were smallest in Food and Beverages (-0.49%), Transportation Equipment (-0.64%), and Steel and Metals (-0.47%).

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics traded at 51,300 KRW, down 1.54% from the previous session. Other major stocks such as SK Hynix (-1.99%), Samsung Biologics (-0.83%), Naver (-0.88%), and LG Chem (-0.41%) also showed downward trends.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was at 590.09, down 0.93% (5.52 points). The KOSDAQ opened at 589.20, down 1.08% (6.41 points) from the previous close.

Currently, foreign investors were the sole buyers in the KOSDAQ market, purchasing stocks worth 17.8 billion KRW. Individuals and institutions sold stocks worth 8.5 billion KRW and 8 billion KRW respectively.

By sector, Textile and Apparel (0.54%), Digital Content (0.19%), and Pharmaceuticals (0.36%) maintained upward momentum.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, most were declining, including Celltrion Healthcare (-0.76%), HL Biopharma (-1.69%), CJ ENM (-2.89%), and Pearl Abyss (-0.06%).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.