Foreigners and Institutions Sell in a Row, KOSPI Slightly Falls... Closes at 2126

KOSDAQ Rises 1.3%... Recovers to 750 Level

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] The KOSPI index slightly declined to the 2120 level amid selling pressure from foreigners and institutions. Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ index rose 1.3% to the 750 level, supported by net buying from institutions.

On the 22nd, the KOSPI index closed at 2126.73, down 0.68% (14.59 points) from the previous trading day. It was a session with little change and sideways movement. Shortly after the opening, it dropped to 2122.10, down 0.90 from the previous close, but then rebounded. However, the upward momentum was not strong. Around 1:20 PM, it rose to 2142.88, up 0.07% from the previous close, then fell again, finishing the session near the opening price (2126.38).

On the Korea Exchange, foreigners and institutions were strong sellers. Foreigners and institutions net sold 250.9 billion KRW and 197.5 billion KRW respectively, while individuals net bought 432.3 billion KRW.

In contrast, the KOSDAQ index showed an upward trend. It closed at 751.64, up 1.30% (9.61 points) from the previous session, reclaiming the 750 level for the first time in just over ten days since the 11th.

Most sectors declined. The textile and apparel sector fell the most by 2.94%. This was followed by banks (-2.73%), steel and metals (-2.05%), distribution (-1.98%), and transportation and warehousing (-1.58%). On the other hand, service industries (2.98%), medical precision instruments (1.73%), non-metallic minerals (1.29%), and construction (0.75%) rose.

Among the top 10 market capitalization stocks, most declined. Samsung C&T Corporation fell the most by 2.9%. This was followed by Samsung Electronics (-1.7%), Hyundai Motor (-1.5%), Samsung SDI (-1.1%), LG Chem (-1.1%), Samsung Biologics (-1.0%), and SK Hynix (-0.5%). In contrast, NAVER, considered a representative untact (non-face-to-face) stock, rose 8.2%. Kakao also rose 3.9%, showing a contrasting performance. Additionally, Celltrion rose 1.8%.

In the KOSDAQ market, institutions led the rise by net buying 42.2 billion KRW. Meanwhile, foreigners and individuals net sold 24.8 billion KRW and 9.2 billion KRW respectively.

Unlike the Korea Exchange, most sectors showed gains. The technology growth companies sector rose the most by 5.49%. This was followed by other services (3.65%), distribution (3.32%), food and tobacco (3.12%), finance (3.07%), internet (2.31%), chemicals (2.28%), and software (2.01%). Meanwhile, publishing and media replication (-1.78%), computer services (-1.75%), and other manufacturing (-1.70%) declined.

Most of the top 10 market capitalization sectors rose. Alteogen surged 25.6%. Celltrion Healthcare (5.3%) and Seegene (5.1%) also posted gains above 5%. Others included Celltrion Pharm (2.3%), Genexine (0.7%), and KMW (0.6%). CJ ENM remained flat, while HL Biopharma (-1.2%), Pearl Abyss (-0.2%), and EcoPro BM (-0.2%) declined.

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