The KOSPI index initially rose over 2% to recover the 7,200 level but reversed course as institutional selling intensified. Despite foreign buying driven by strong semiconductor stocks, weakness in some large-cap shares limited the index's gains.
As of 1:14 PM on August 18, the KOSPI was trading at 6,943.47, down 34.47 points (0.49%) from the previous trading day.
The index opened at 7,127.77, up 149.83 points (2.15%), and peaked at 7,216.62 early in the session before declining. It fell back below the 7,000 mark amid increased profit-taking pressure following recent gains.
At this time, institutions were net sellers of 1.01 trillion won, while individuals and foreigners were net buyers of 564.1 billion won and 529.7 billion won, respectively, absorbing the institutional sell-off.
Among the top market-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics (-0.82%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-5.13%), Hyundai Motor (-3.09%), LG Energy Solution (-4.19%), Samsung Biologics (-1.10%), and KB Financial (-0.71%) were all declining. In contrast, SK Hynix (2.37%), SK Square (1.39%), Samsung Life (3.82%), and Samsung C&T (1.36%) were on the rise.
Notably, Samsung Electronics, which had shown early strength, reversed its gains and turned negative, while SK Hynix maintained its upward trend, albeit with reduced gains, showcasing a differentiated performance within the semiconductor sector.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ index recorded a decline of 18.30 points (2.12%), reaching 846.35. The KOSDAQ started positively but expanded its losses as foreign and institutional selling increased.
In the KOSDAQ market, foreigners and institutions were net sellers of 91 billion won and 218.7 billion won, respectively, while individuals were net buyers of 320 billion won, helping to defend the index.
Among the top KOSDAQ stocks, Alteogen (-3.50%), EcoPro (-4.70%), EcoPro BM (-5.06%), Rainbow Robotics (-3.59%), Wonik IPS (-0.51%), Rino Technology (-3.11%), and ABL Bio (-3.45%) were all down, while JUSUNG Engineering (3.09%), HLB (0.93%), and EoTechnics (3.71%) saw gains.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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