KOSPI Ends Slightly Lower Amid Export Decline... Foreign and Individual Investors Net Sell

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] The KOSPI index closed slightly lower as foreign investors engaged in net selling following news that December export figures also showed a decline.

On the 21st, the KOSPI index closed at 2,328.95, down 4.43 points (0.19%) from the previous day. Institutions were net buyers with 183.6 billion KRW, while foreign investors and individuals showed net selling of 119.6 billion KRW and 73.8 billion KRW, respectively. Program trading recorded net selling of 6.8 billion KRW in arbitrage trading and 74.1 billion KRW in non-arbitrage trading.

The KOSPI initially opened higher but reversed to a decline as foreign investors sold off following news that domestic exports in December had decreased.

According to the Korea Customs Service, export value from December 1 to 20 (provisional customs clearance basis) was 33.638 billion USD, down 8.8% compared to the same period last year. Exports have continued to decline through mid-month, and are expected to fall for the third consecutive month. Monthly exports had decreased by 5.8% in October and 14.0% in November.

By sector, food and beverages rose 3.96%, leading the market. The food and beverage sector's earnings forecasts for Q4 this year have been on the rise, and as a defensive sector, it attracted buying from foreign investors.

Textiles and apparel rose 1.89%, electric and gas utilities 1.83%, and medical precision equipment 1.82%, also showing strength. Conversely, electrical and electronics fell 1.19%, chemicals 0.49%, non-metallic minerals 0.49%, and manufacturing 0.45%, closing weaker.

Most of the top market capitalization stocks closed lower. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix declined following news that semiconductor exports this month dropped 24.3% compared to last year. LG Energy Solution, Samsung Biologics, LG Chem, Samsung SDI, Hyundai Motor, and NAVER also closed lower. In contrast, Celltrion showed strength.

The KOSDAQ index ended the day slightly higher. The KOSDAQ index closed at 705.7, up 2.57 points (0.37%) from the previous day. Institutions and foreign investors were net buyers of 69.3 billion KRW and 36.4 billion KRW, respectively, while individuals were net sellers of 97.8 billion KRW.

Among the top market capitalization stocks, Celltrion Healthcare rose 1.24%, EcoPro BM 0.1%, Kakao Games 0.82%, EcoPro 1.56%, Pearl Abyss 0.69%, Celltrion Pharm 3.23%, and Studio Dragon 5.62% showed strength. Conversely, L&F fell 1.95%, HLB 1.28%, and Rino Industrial 0.13% were weak.

On the day, the KRW/USD exchange rate closed at 1,285.7 KRW, down 3.9 won (0.3%) from the previous day.

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