KOSPI Struggles... Foreign Investors Sell 1 Trillion Won, Index Falls to 3920 [fn Afternoon Market]

[Financial News] Foreign investors have once again sold more than 1 trillion won in a single day, continuing their exit from the domestic stock market.
As of 1:30 p.m. on the 19th, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was trading at 3,926.78, down 26.84 points (0.68%) from the previous session. The index opened at 3,966.64, up 0.33% from the previous close, but quickly dropped to as low as 3,854.95 in early trading. It later rebounded, returning above the 3,900 mark.
In the KOSPI Market, foreign investors have made net sales totaling 1.1053 trillion won. Meanwhile, individuals and institutions are net buyers, purchasing 446.5 billion won and 651.2 billion won, respectively.
By sector, metals (up 1.49%), telecommunications (up 1.41%), and food, beverages & tobacco (up 1.3%) showed strength. In contrast, electricity & gas (down 4.98%), transportation equipment & parts (down 1.39%), and electrical & electronics (down 1.37%) were weak.
Among the top market cap stocks, most were declining, including Samsung Electronics (down 1.74%), SK hynix (down 1.75%), LG Energy Solution (down 1.35%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (down 4.98%). Only Kia rose, up 0.52%.
Overnight, the U.S. stock market closed with caution as investors awaited Nvidia's earnings announcement scheduled for the 20th, with no clear rebound momentum. The S&P 500 Index fell 0.8%, and the NASDAQ Composite Index dropped 1.2%. Concerns over the high valuation of artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks weighed on the market, and investors remained wary ahead of Nvidia's results and guidance.
Today, the KOSPI extended its losses amid growing tension from hawkish comments by a Federal Reserve System (Fed) official, as the market awaits Nvidia's earnings announcement.
Jae-won Lee, a researcher at Shinhan Securities, stated, "With the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes and employment report to be released tomorrow, if employment figures turn out weaker than expected, the likelihood of a rate cut could increase. Depending on Nvidia's earnings announcement tomorrow, both concerns about rate cuts and the high valuation of AI stocks could be resolved or become negative factors, determining the market's direction."
At the same time, the KOSDAQ Index was trading at 872.47, down 6.23 points (0.71%) from the previous session. The index opened at 881.49, up 0.32% from the previous close, but soon turned downward.
In the KOSDAQ market, individuals and institutions are net buyers, purchasing 53.6 billion won and 38.5 billion won, respectively, while only foreign investors are net sellers, offloading 81.1 billion won.

[email protected] Ji-yeon Park Reporter