The KOSPI index plummeted over 3% due to a massive sell-off by foreign investors, falling below the 5,500 mark. The KOSDAQ also dropped below 700, with selling pressure particularly affecting large-cap semiconductor stocks. However, some small and mid-cap stocks recorded gains, highlighting a divergence in market performance.
As of 9:53 a.m. on November 5, the KOSPI was trading at 5,483.92, down 199.88 points (3.52%) from the previous trading day.
In the main stock market, foreign investors led the decline with a net sell of 730.6 billion won, while individual and institutional investors bought a net 545.5 billion won and 155.2 billion won, respectively.
Most of the top market capitalization stocks were in the red. Samsung Electronics traded at 206,500 won, down 5.28%, while SK Hynix fell 7.49% to 1,291,500 won. Other declining stocks included SK Square (-6.79%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-10.31%), and LG Energy Solution (-2.25%).
Conversely, Hyundai Motor (up 4.23%), KB Financial (up 4.88%), and Samsung Biologics (up 1.74%) managed to maintain their upward momentum.
The KOSDAQ market also saw an increase in its decline. At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 695.42, down 19.53 points (2.73%), giving up the 700 mark it had regained the previous day.
In the KOSDAQ market, foreign investors sold a net 95.3 billion won, while individuals and institutions bought a net 81 billion won and 14 billion won, respectively.
Among the top market capitalization stocks, semiconductor-related stocks such as Simtek (-14.07%), EO Technics (-10.49%), and Juseong Engineering (-9.46%) saw significant declines. Other declining stocks included EcoPro (-4.55%), EcoPro BM (-7.92%), and Rainbow Robotics (-3.75%). In contrast, Alteogen rose 7.84%, showing strength.
Despite the overall market downturn, some stocks attracted buying interest. In the main stock market, Clean Country Co. surged to its price limit of 30.00%, trading at 4,030 won, while Seongchang Enterprise Holdings also hit its upper limit with a 29.86% increase. Other strong performers included Clean Country (up 25.00%), Hanjin Kal (up 17.70%), and SK Biopharm (up 11.28%).
In the KOSDAQ market, Wings Foot surged 30.00% to hit its upper limit. Daedong Metal (up 29.90%), Yeco Cap (up 29.87%), and EnGen Bio (up 29.08%) also approached their price limits. Other stocks like Geumyang Green Power (up 22.91%), Protina (up 20.70%), and Selvas Healthcare (up 19.15%) showed double-digit gains.
The weakness in the domestic stock market is attributed to concerns over tightened regulations on AI data centers following the U.S. midterm elections. While major U.S. stock indices rose overnight, semiconductor-related stocks like Nvidia and Micron experienced sharp declines.
Concerns that new regulations on data center construction in the U.S. could delay investments in AI infrastructure are also weighing on domestic semiconductor stocks. The foreign selling pressure has been concentrated on large-cap semiconductor stocks, increasing downward pressure on the index, while some individual stocks continue to attract buying interest, leading to a differentiated market performance.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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