The KOSPI closed slightly lower on the 6th, a day before Samsung Electronics' preliminary earnings release.
The KOSPI fell 37.01 points, or 0.46%, to close at 8,051.33 from the previous session. After opening higher, the index gave up the 8,000 level as profit-taking emerged intraday, then gradually pared losses into the close.
Foreign and institutional selling was strong. Foreign investors were net sellers of 1.3 trillion won. Institutions sold 1.43 trillion won. Specifically, financial investment, which captures exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, was a net seller of 1.38 trillion won, and the national pension funds sold a net 33.8 billion won. Individuals alone were net buyers of 2.6 trillion won.
The market searched for direction ahead of Samsung Electronics' earnings release. Samsung Electronics rose on earnings expectations, while other semiconductor stocks faced caution, leading to a stock-by-stock divergence.
Samsung Electronics closed up 2%, but SK hynix fell 3% to finish around 2.3 million won. HANMI Semiconductor also closed down 2%.
Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries were strong on signs of an imminent award for the Canada Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), worth up to 60 trillion won. They closed up 8% and 1%, respectively.
Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ fell 21.34 points, or 2.46%, to close at 847.07. After opening lower, the index briefly turned higher intraday, but soon reversed and extended losses. It slid to as low as the 825 level before bargain hunting helped it hold the 840 level.
Foreign investors and institutions were net sellers of 44.7 billion won and 227 billion won, respectively, dragging the index down. Within institutions, financial investment sold 60 billion won and the national pension funds sold 60 billion won. Individuals alone bought a net 270 billion won, defending the downside.
Jusung Engineering and Wonik IPS fell more than 5%. Alteogen, EcoPro BM and EcoPro also declined.