KOSPI Opens Lower Ahead of Nvidia Earnings... SK Hynix Falls Below 600,000 Won

On November 18, both of Korea's major stock indices opened lower. This was due to increased caution ahead of Nvidia's earnings announcement scheduled for November 19, amid ongoing debates about an artificial intelligence (AI) bubble.

As of 9:22 a.m. on this day, the KOSPI was at 4,051.02, down 38.23 points (0.93%) from the previous trading day. While individual investors and foreign investors were net buyers of 7.4 billion won and 4.2 billion won, respectively, institutional investors were net sellers of 32.5 billion won.

As the KOSPI opened with a rise of more than 1%, approaching the reclaiming of the 4100 level, the status board in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul, displayed the KOSPI, won/dollar exchange rate, and KOSDAQ index on the 17th. On this day, the KOSPI started the session at 4,078.571, up 67.00 points (1.67%) from the previous close. November 17, 2025 Photo by Jo Yongjun

Most of the top market capitalization stocks were in negative territory. Following declines in major big tech stocks such as Nvidia (-1.9%) on the New York Stock Exchange overnight, influenced by concerns over an AI bubble, SK Hynix fell 3.71%, dropping below the 600,000 won mark.

Samsung Electronics was trading slightly lower, while LG Energy Solution (-1.73%), Hyundai Motor (-0.92%), Doosan Enerbility (-0.13%), and KB Financial Group (-1.10%) were also declining. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries was up 0.83%.

Han Jiyeong, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, explained, "At the index level, we are likely to see a pullback from the previous day's gains. However, at the sector level, we expect a differentiated market depending on individual issues and the extent of previous price declines."

Han further advised, "As the earnings season has ended, the direction of the stock market will be determined by U.S.-related factors for the time being, such as macroeconomic events (including Fed officials' remarks and employment data) and Nvidia's earnings. Although, as we have recently experienced, there may be pressure for increased volatility, it would be prudent to avoid overreacting by excessively increasing cash holdings."

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was at 889.51, down 12.86 points (-1.46%). While individual investors were net buyers of 195.9 billion won, foreign investors and institutional investors were net sellers of 88.5 billion won and 59.9 billion won, respectively, dragging the index down.

Among the top market cap stocks, Alteogen (up 0.36%), LegoChem Biosciences (up 0.62%), and PharmaResearch (up 0.22%) were rising. However, EcoPro BM (-2.85%), EcoPro (-3.85%), ABL Bio (-2.22%), Rainbow Robotics (-2.24%), HLB (-3.43%), and Samchundang Pharm (-2.15%) were all declining.

On the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won/dollar exchange rate opened at 1,463 won, up 5 won from the previous day's closing price.

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