KOSPI Falls Again as Semiconductor Stocks Plunge... SK Hynix Down 6%

On the 28th, the KOSPI opened at 2,276.73, down 12.05 points (0.53%) from the previous trading day, at the Hana Bank headquarters dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul. The won-dollar exchange rate started at 1,423.0 won, up 6.0 won from the previous trading day. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Myung-Hwan Lee] On the morning of the 28th, the KOSPI, which had been showing a slight upward trend, turned downward again in the afternoon session. The index appears to be under downward pressure as large-cap semiconductor stocks, which hold a significant portion of the market capitalization, experienced larger declines.

As of 1:55 PM, the KOSPI is at 2,276.37, down 0.54% (12.41 points) from the previous trading day. The KOSPI opened at 2,276.73, down 0.53% (12.05 points) from the previous day, showed a slight upward trend in the morning, but has clearly turned downward in the afternoon session.

Looking at investors by type, institutional investors in the KOSPI market are buying stocks worth 252.5 billion KRW, defending against the index decline. Foreign investors, who returned to net selling after six trading days, are selling 202 billion KRW. Individual investors are also selling stocks worth 53 billion KRW.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, SK Hynix’s decline is prominent. SK Hynix is trading at 84,000 KRW, down 6.67% (6,000 KRW) from the previous day. Other semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Electronics (-3.19%) and Samsung Electronics Preferred (-3.37%) are also declining. On the other hand, finished car stocks like Hyundai Motor (1.54%) and Kia (0.45%), as well as LG Chem (1.67%), are rising. LG Energy Solution is trading at the same price as the previous day, 540,000 KRW.

The larger decline in semiconductor stocks with significant market capitalization is estimated to be driving the overall downward trend of the index. Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, said, "The KOSPI reversed to a decline due to the expanded drop in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix," adding, "Although large secondary battery stocks, which have recently recorded steady gains, have supported the market’s downside, Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution also reversed to declines during the session, increasing downward pressure."

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is at 690.60, down 0.65% (4.49 points) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ opened at 690.71, down 0.63% (4.38 points), and moved sideways in the morning session. However, the decline has gradually increased in the afternoon.

Institutional investors, who are net buyers in the KOSPI, are selling 76.8 billion KRW in the KOSDAQ. Foreign investors are also net sellers with 13.1 billion KRW. Individual investors alone are buying stocks worth 98.7 billion KRW.

In the KOSDAQ market, secondary battery-related stocks are showing noticeable gains. L&F is trading at 224,600 KRW, up 4.71% (11,000 KRW) from the previous day, and EcoPro BM is up 2.98% (3,300 KRW) at 114,200 KRW. Conversely, stocks such as Rino Industrial (-2.45%), Pearl Abyss (-1.33%), and Celltrion Healthcare (-0.87%) are declining.

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