On the 2nd, the KOSPI index showed a downward trend a day before the announcement of mutual tariffs from the United States. This was influenced by increased selling pressure from foreign investors, who sold nearly 2 trillion won worth of domestic stocks and futures that day. The KOSDAQ index also fell by more than 1%.
The KOSPI index closed at 2,505.86, down 15.53 points (0.62%) from the previous transaction day. Although the KOSPI index started the day up 0.17%, it turned downward amid a surge in selling pressure during the session and failed to rebound.
Foreign investors alone sold 728 billion won worth of shares in the securities market, pulling down the index. Individuals and institutions bought 476.6 billion won and 150 billion won worth of stocks, respectively.
Foreigners also net sold 922 billion won worth of KOSPI 200 futures that day. Institutions and individuals were net buyers, with 630 billion won and 253 billion won, respectively.
Lee Jae-won, a researcher at Shinhan Investment Corp., noted, "With the announcement of tariffs and the impeachment ruling approaching, foreigners were seen buying only defensive stocks to mitigate uncertainty," and added, "The fluctuations of policy-related stocks due to the results of the impeachment trial and the timing of early elections are expected, and the impact of corporate earnings will be re-emphasized, starting with the tentative first-quarter results of Samsung Electronics, which will be announced on the 8th."
The top stocks by market capitalization in the securities market showed mixed trends. Celltrion (-2.97%), Hyundai Motor Company (-1.06%), Kia (-0.97%), Samsung Biologics (-0.95%), and Naver (-0.71%) were all weak, while KB Financial Group (1.13%), SK hynix (0.46%), and LG Energy Solution (0.15%) saw gains. Samsung Electronics closed unchanged.
The KOSDAQ index finished at 684.85, down 16.61 points (1.45%) compared to the previous transaction day. On that day, foreign investors sold 267.2 billion won worth of shares in the KOSDAQ market. Individuals and institutions were net buyers, with 253.8 billion won and 25.6 billion won, respectively.
Of the five stocks that closed at the upper limit in the KOSDAQ market that day, except for Hantech, four (SOFTCAMP, Sangji Construction, Hyungji Global, Hyungji I&C) were all related to Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. With the impeachment ruling of President Yoon Suk-yeol approaching on the 4th, buying momentum concentrated on stocks related to the representative.
In KOSDAQ's top market cap stocks, ECOPRO BM fell by 4.60% amid securities firms' forecast that its stock price increase potential was limited. Kolon TissueGene (-3.98%), Ecopro (-2.99%), Alteogen (-2.69%), and HLB (-2.59%) also declined. CLASSYS (4.83%), HUGEL (2.43%), Rainbow Robotics (0.76%), and Sam Chun Dang Pharm (0.63%) closed with gains.
Meanwhile, as of 3:30 p.m. that day, the exchange rate for the Korean won against the U.S. dollar was recorded at 1,466.6 won, down 5.3 won from the previous transaction day.