KOSPI Ends at 4,140, KOSDAQ at 930... “Awaiting Interest Rate Decision” [fn Closing Market Report]

[Financial News] On the 9th, the KOSPI closed slightly lower at the 4,140 level. With the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in the United States approaching, investors remained cautious and on the sidelines.
The KOSPI finished the day at 4,143.55, down 11.30 points (0.27%) from the previous session. The index opened at 4,129.77, a decrease of 25.08 points (0.60%) from the previous close.
In the main stock market, institutional investors were net buyers of 49.4 billion KRW. In contrast, foreign investors and individuals sold off 91.3 billion KRW and 11.1 billion KRW worth of shares, respectively.
By sector, metals (1.35%), pharmaceuticals (1.20%), non-metals (1.16%), entertainment and culture (0.85%), transportation equipment and parts (0.79%), and machinery and equipment (0.66%) showed gains. On the other hand, electricity and gas (-1.51%), electrical and electronics (-1.20%), securities (-0.67%), and medical and precision instruments (-0.46%) declined.
Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Biologics (1.66%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (6.08%), and Hanwha Aerospace (2.35%) posted gains. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics (-0.91%), SK hynix (-1.91%), LG Energy Solution (-1.77%), Hyundai Motor Company (-2.85%), Doosan Enerbility (-0.13%), and Kia Corporation (-1.35%) ended lower.
The Federal Reserve System (Fed) is scheduled to hold its FOMC meeting on the 9th and 10th (local time) to decide whether to cut the benchmark interest rate. While the market widely anticipates a rate cut this month, some caution remains due to apparent divisions among Fed officials as reflected in the dot plot.
Kang Jinhyuk, a researcher at Shinhan Securities, noted, “Today, the KOSPI showed a slight decline as sectors took a breather. After foreign investors made preemptive moves in semiconductors and related stocks yesterday, the wait-and-see sentiment ahead of the FOMC continues, leading to a market driven by individual stocks.”
On the same day, the Korea Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (KOSDAQ) index closed at 931.35, up 3.56 points (0.38%) from the previous session. The index opened at 926.93, down 0.86 points (0.09%) from the previous close.
In the KOSDAQ market, individual investors purchased 231 billion KRW worth of shares. In contrast, institutions and foreign investors were net sellers of 122.8 billion KRW and 58.3 billion KRW, respectively.

yimsh0214@fnnews.com Im Sang-hyuk Reporter