KOSPI Ends Lower for Second Consecutive Day Amid Concerns Over COVID-19 Resurgence... KOSDAQ Slightly Down

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] The KOSPI closed lower for the second consecutive day amid renewed concerns over the resurgence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The KOSDAQ index also ended the session slightly down, ending a four-day winning streak.

On the 12th, the KOSPI closed at 1922.17, down 13.23 points (0.68%) from the previous day. After opening higher, the KOSPI turned downward and fell more than 1.5% during the morning session, threatening the 1900 level. However, the decline narrowed somewhat, and the index closed around the 1920 level.

Looking at trading trends by participant, institutions and foreign investors led the decline with net sales of 311.2 billion KRW and 298.9 billion KRW, respectively. In contrast, individual investors were net buyers with 606.3 billion KRW.

By sector, telecommunications (2.18%), food and beverages (1.69%), and services (1.34%) rose, while steel and metals (-2.54%), textiles and apparel (-2.51%), and construction (-2.15%) declined.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, NCSoft (6.87%), Kakao (3.37%), SK Telecom (2.44%), NAVER (2.33%), and SK Hynix (1.42%) rose, whereas LG Chem (-2.45%), Samsung C&T (-2.44%), Hyundai Motor (-1.92%), and Hyundai Mobis (-1.45%) fell.

In the KOSPI market, 184 stocks rose, including one that hit the upper price limit, while 671 stocks declined with no stocks hitting the lower price limit. Forty-three stocks remained unchanged.

The KOSDAQ index also closed lower for the first time in five trading days as foreign and institutional investors both sold. The KOSDAQ opened higher but turned downward around 9:30 a.m., maintaining a slightly weak position around the 680 level throughout the session. The gains narrowed later, and the index closed mixed in the late session, finishing at 684.21, down 0.83 points (0.12%) from the previous day.

Trading trends by participant showed foreign and institutional investors net sold 101.5 billion KRW and 26.5 billion KRW, respectively, similar to the KOSPI market. Individual investors were net buyers with 131.3 billion KRW.

By sector, digital content (2.29%), pharmaceuticals (1.65%), and internet (1.18%) rose, while transportation equipment and parts (-5.14%), non-metallic minerals (-2.07%), and broadcasting services (-1.93%) declined.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Seegene (6.78%), Celltrion Pharm (3.49%), Wonik IPS (3.43%), Pearl Abyss (2.62%), and Alteogen (2.55%) rose. In contrast, HLB (-8.27%) plunged nearly 10%, and CJ ENM (-3.43%), KMW (-0.82%), and SK Materials (-0.48%) also declined.

In the KOSDAQ market, 412 stocks rose, including two that hit the upper price limit, while 854 stocks declined with no stocks hitting the lower price limit. Sixty-two stocks remained unchanged.

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