KOSPI Recovers 4,100 Mark Driven by Foreign and Institutional Buying; Individuals Sell 2.6 Trillion Won

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rebounded to the 4,100 level for the first time in six trading days, propelled by strong buying from both foreign investors and institutions. Individual investors, meanwhile, sold more than 2 trillion won in a single day, locking in profits. According to the Korea Exchange (KRX) on the 22nd, the KOSPI closed at 4,105.93, up 85.38 points (2.12%) from the previous session. The index opened at 4,096.26, a 1.88% increase, fluctuated around the 4,090 level, and ultimately reclaimed the 4,100 mark by the close. This is the first time in six sessions, since the 12th.
In the main board market, foreign investors net purchased 1.0952 trillion won and institutions bought 1.6044 trillion won, driving the index higher. Individual investors sold 2.6684 trillion won, realizing profits.
By sector, electronics and electrical (4.03%), medical and precision instruments (2.74%), and manufacturing (2.63%) rose, while textiles and apparel (-0.64%), retail (-0.63%), and entertainment and culture (-0.54%) declined.
Among the top market cap stocks, Samsung Electronics (up 3.86%), SK hynix (up 6.03%), and LG Energy Solution (up 2.90%) advanced. In contrast, Samsung Biologics (down 0.40%) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (down 1.15%) fell.
On the 19th (local time), U.S. stock markets closed higher, led by semiconductor stocks after Micron Technology reported strong earnings. Optimism over Nvidia’s expected H200 sales to China and Oracle’s completion of a contract for TikTok’s U.S. operations also fueled gains across AI-related stocks.
The domestic stock market also climbed, reflecting optimism over export indicators and Micron Technology’s results, which boosted expectations for semiconductor earnings. Lee Jae-won, a researcher at Shinhan Securities, noted, “Exports from the 1st to the 20th of this month rose 6.8% year-on-year, with semiconductor exports surging 42%. It will be important to monitor the GDP and private employment data to be released on the 23rd to assess the possibility of a Goldilocks scenario and the likelihood of additional rate cuts next year.”
On this day, the Korea Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (KOSDAQ) index finished at 929.14, up 13.87 points (1.52%) from the previous session. The index started at 923.07, a 0.95% gain.
In the KOSDAQ market, individuals and institutions bought 94.6 billion won and 69.8 billion won worth of shares, respectively, supporting the index’s rise. Foreign investors recorded a net sell position of 27.4 billion won.

nodelay@fnnews.com Ji-yeon Park Reporter