The KOSPI closed lower due to simultaneous selling by foreign and institutional investors. After rising more than 1% in early trading and surpassing the 6,950 mark, the index gave back its gains amid caution ahead of key economic indicators and pressure from foreign supply. In contrast, the KOSDAQ ended higher, buoyed by strong performances in semiconductor equipment and secondary battery stocks.
According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI finished at 6,838.04, down 32.77 points (0.48%) from the previous trading day. The index peaked at 6,956.64 during the session but widened its losses in the afternoon, dropping to as low as 6,818.39.
In the securities market, foreign and institutional investors sold a net 2.0536 trillion won and 771.8 billion won, respectively. Meanwhile, individual investors bought a net 1.1721 trillion won.
Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics closed down 1.47% at 268,500 won. Other decliners included Samsung Electronics preferred shares (-4.31%), Samsung Life (-2.93%), KB Financial (-2.71%), Hyundai Motor (-1.43%), and Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-0.98%). Conversely, SK Square (1.88%), LG Energy Solution (1.28%), SK Hynix (0.62%), and Samsung Biologics (0.43%) saw gains.
The KOSDAQ index rose 6.11 points (0.72%) to close at 855.91. Institutions and individuals bought a net 48.8 billion won and 11.9 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors sold a net 67.7 billion won.
In the KOSDAQ's top market capitalization stocks, IOTechniques surged 4.94%, followed by JUSUNG Engineering (4.73%), HLB (3.11%), EcoPro BM (2.83%), EcoPro (2.28%), and Wonik IPS (0.92%). However, Simtech (-1.25%) and Rino Industrial (-0.14%) declined.
Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, commented on the domestic market, stating, "Despite improvements in external conditions, caution ahead of major events led to fluctuations around the flat line. The fact that foreign investors have been net sellers for four consecutive trading days has also contributed to supply pressure."
Despite falling international oil prices, high yields on U.S. long-term government bonds have limited investor sentiment. Lee noted, "Oil exports from the Middle East have recovered to about 16 million barrels per day, reaching approximately 80% of pre-war levels," while adding that the yields on 10-year and 30-year U.S. Treasury bonds are currently at 5.23% and 5.56%, respectively.
Market attention is now focused on U.S. inflation and semiconductor earnings. Lee stated, "Tonight, the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index will be released, and tomorrow morning, Micron's fourth-quarter earnings for the 2026 fiscal year are scheduled to be announced. Both events are crucial for gauging the Federal Reserve's future monetary policy path and the momentum in the AI and semiconductor sectors, leading to increased caution ahead of the results."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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