KOSPI Holds 2500 Level... Down 0.33% Amid Institutional 'Selling' (Comprehensive)

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] The KOSPI index closed lower for the second consecutive day. The KOSPI index, which closed down on the day, briefly fell below the 2500 mark during the session but recovered.

On the 18th, the KOSPI index closed at 2508.05, down 0.33% (8.42 points) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 2499.30, down 0.68% (17.17 points) from the previous close, and during the session, it dropped to as low as 2488.09 before narrowing losses and recovering above the 2500 level.

By investor type, institutions sold stocks worth 445.1 billion KRW, pulling the index down, while individuals and foreigners bought stocks worth 129.6 billion KRW and 310.7 billion KRW respectively, providing support.

Among the top 10 KOSPI market cap stocks, all closed lower except Samsung Electronics (1.82%), Samsung Biologics (0.46%), and Samsung Electronics Preferred (0.89%). LG Energy Solution (-0.33%), SK Hynix (-1.44%), LG Chem (-1.06%), Samsung SDI (-0.79%), NAVER (-3.10%), Hyundai Motor (-2.11%), and Kakao (-1.12%) all declined.

By sector, Food & Beverage (0.95%), Machinery (0.95%), Non-metallic Minerals (0.77%), Electrical & Electronics (0.70%), and Paper & Wood (0.57%) recorded gains. On the other hand, Transportation Equipment (-1.57%), Pharmaceuticals (-1.47%), Medical Precision (-1.44%), Transportation & Warehousing (-1.35%), Securities (-1.27%), Finance (-1.22%), Services (-1.18%), and Steel & Metals (-0.95%) declined.

Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, analyzed, "Despite the July FOMC minutes, the U.S. stock market closed lower influenced by the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (-2.5%), showing a weak trend. With the Q2 earnings season over, momentum is lacking, and technically, resistance at the 120-day and 20-week moving averages is also a short-term burden."

The KOSDAQ index closed at 826.06, down 0.16% (1.36 points) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 822.71, down 0.57% (4.71 points) on the day.

On the KOSDAQ, individuals alone bought stocks worth 85.2 billion KRW. Foreigners and institutions sold net amounts of 6.7 billion KRW and 51.2 billion KRW respectively.

The top market cap stocks on the KOSDAQ showed mixed performance. L&F (0.19%), HLB (4.69%), Pearl Abyss (0.17%), and EcoPro (2.80%) recorded gains, while Celltrion Healthcare (-2.84%), EcoPro BM (-1.26%), Kakao Games (-1.72%), Celltrion Pharm (-3.26%), Alteogen (-0.43%), and Chunbo (-0.78%) declined.

By sector, Metals (1.94%), Transportation Equipment & Parts (1.61%), Semiconductors (1.20%), Finance (0.72%), Information Devices (0.70%), Transportation (0.57%), and IT Hardware (0.49%) recorded gains, while Food & Beverage/Tobacco (-4.20%), Paper & Wood (-2.78%), Telecommunication Services (-1.35%), Broadcasting & Telecommunication Services (-1.32%), Broadcasting Services (-1.30%), Pharmaceuticals (-1.30%), and Textiles/Apparel (-1.22%) declined.

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