KOSPI Struggles, Foreigners Net Sell After 6 Trading Days

On the 16th, when the KOSPI index started lower due to selling by individuals and foreigners, dealers were working in the Hana Bank dealing room in Euljiro, Seoul. The KOSPI opened at 2,995.68, down 3.84 points (0.13%) from the previous trading day. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] On the morning of the 18th, the KOSPI continues its downward trend. Following the weakness in the U.S. stock market, most of the top market capitalization stocks are struggling and heading downhill.

As of 11:19 a.m. on the day, the KOSPI is recorded at 2,949.26, down 13.16 points (0.44%). Although individual investors are net buyers with 157.9 billion KRW, betting on an index rise, they are unable to hold ground against net selling by foreigners and institutions. Foreigners and institutions are net sellers of 92.9 billion KRW and 60.3 billion KRW, respectively.

Among all stocks, 183 are rising. There are 673 declining stocks and 71 unchanged. Among the top market cap stocks, Samsung Electronics, which showed an early morning rise, reversed to a decline and is trading down 0.14% at 70,600 KRW. Samsung Biologics also fell by 1.53%, and Kakao dropped by 0.4%.

By sector, only the steel and metal sector (0.03%) is showing an upward trend. In contrast, paper and wood (-1.26%), machinery (-1.12%), and transportation equipment (-0.96%) sectors experienced significant declines. Within the steel and metal sector, no stock showed a large increase. However, about 12 stocks in the sector rose between 0.13% and 2.16%, contributing to the overall sector's upward trend.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ is down 4.41 points (0.43%) at 1,026.85. While individual investors are net buyers with 161.8 billion KRW, foreigners and institutions are net sellers of 120.7 billion KRW and 6.7 billion KRW, respectively, pushing the index down. Among all stocks, 341 are rising, and 1,042 are declining.

Among the top market cap stocks, the early morning rise in gaming stocks stood out, but only Wemade showed a 5.43% increase, while Pearl Abyss (0.64%) and Kakao Games (1.30%) turned downward. As of this time, stocks such as EcoPro BM (1.46%), L&F (3.53%), and CJ ENM (2.92%) are rising. By sector, broadcasting services (2.27%), textiles and apparel (1.95%), and IT components (1.31%) are recording gains.

The domestic equity team at Shinhan Investment Corp. analyzed, "The KOSPI opened one hour late due to the college entrance exam and is showing a downward trend as foreigners switched to net selling for the first time in six trading days, following the weakness in the U.S. stock market."

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