The KOSPI index, which broke through the 4,600 level for the first time ever, reversed lower intraday. Foreign investors are net buying close to 1 trillion won, but the rally has faded as individual investors take profits, centered on large-cap semiconductor stocks.
On the 7th, the KOSPI index's gains narrowed in the afternoon and then turned lower. As of 1:20 p.m., the KOSPI index was down 0.5% to 0.6%, even giving up the 4,500 level.
Foreign investors are net buying nearly 1 trillion won in the cash market, but KOSPI200 futures show more than 600 billion won in net selling. Individual profit-taking is also emerging. While individuals are net selling 350 billion won, financial investment, which includes exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, is likewise net selling 350 billion won.
Samsung Electronics, which had surged 3% to 4% early in the session, turned lower. Buying is coming in through foreign brokerage houses such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, but after the share price topped 140,000 won, individual investors unloaded large amounts to take profits, cutting the advance. SK hynix also pared gains.
Ahead of Samsung Electronics' preliminary earnings release on the 8th, securities firms are raising their target prices for Samsung Electronics, but individual investors appear to be taking a brief breather.
With most top market-cap stocks turning lower, only Hyundai Motor Group is showing strength. Hyundai Motor is soaring more than 10%, and Hyundai AutoEver and Hyundai GLOVIS are also up by double digits. At CES 2026, the world's largest IT trade show in Las Vegas, the group unveiled the Humanoid Robot "Atlas" and announced an AI robotics expansion strategy.
The KOSDAQ index, which opened slightly higher on the day, also turned lower. In the afternoon, the KOSDAQ index fell nearly 2%, slipping below the 940 level. Investment funds are flowing into large-cap semiconductor stocks, but small and mid-cap materials, parts, and equipment names are weak.