The KOSPI index reversed its early losses to rise 0.4% on August 21, despite selling pressure from foreign and institutional investors. Following a more than 5% surge the previous day, profit-taking and concerns over rising U.S. long-term interest rates weighed on the market. However, strong performances from major semiconductor stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, along with financial shares, helped lift the index.
As of 1:21 p.m. KST, the KOSPI was trading at 6,884.31, up 31.73 points (0.46%) from the previous trading day.
The index opened at 6,759.95, down 92.63 points (1.35%), but managed to reduce its losses and turn positive during the session.
In the securities market, individual investors sold a net 472.6 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold 72.1 billion won and 273.1 billion won, respectively. Following the previous day's surge, profit-taking by individuals continued to exert downward pressure.
Nonetheless, the gains in major semiconductor stocks and financial shares were instrumental in the KOSPI's recovery. Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics rose 2.95%, SK Hynix increased by 3.02%, Hyundai Motor gained 0.24%, Samsung C&T climbed 4.55%, Samsung Life surged 6.40%, and KB Financial rose 1.88%. In contrast, SK Square fell 0.36%, Samsung Electro-Mechanics dropped 5.59%, LG Energy Solution declined 3.07%, Samsung Biologics decreased 1.65%, and Hanwha Aerospace plummeted 7.28%.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix benefited from improved investor sentiment in the semiconductor sector following Micron's announcement of a significant investment in artificial intelligence. However, some tech stocks, including Samsung Electro-Mechanics, faced declines due to weakened investor sentiment for growth stocks amid rising U.S. long-term interest rates and profit-taking after the previous day's gains.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 801.43, down 39.46 points (4.69%) from the previous day. The KOSDAQ opened at 824.05, down 16.84 points (2.00%), and continued to widen its losses.
In the KOSDAQ market, individual investors were net buyers, purchasing 638 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold 347.7 billion won and 292.2 billion won, respectively.
Among the top market capitalization stocks, most were in decline, including Alteogen (-6.33%), EcoPro (-6.13%), EcoPro BM (-7.36%), Rainbow Robotics (-3.39%), JUSUNG Engineering (-6.09%), HLB (-2.63%), Wonik IPS (-7.46%), Rino Technology (-6.19%), EoTechnics (-3.73%), and Peptron (-2.96%).
* This article has been translated by AI.
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