KOSPI closed at 7291.91 on the 9th, up 45.12 points or 0.62%, rebounding after three consecutive days of decline from the 6th to 8th that saw the index plunge from the 8000 range to early 7000s. Individual investors net sold 1.3274 trillion won while foreign and institutional investors absorbed the selling pressure with net purchases of 134.9 billion won and 1.2873 trillion won respectively. The intraday volatility—KOSPI opened at 7486.64 (up 3.31%), peaked at 7543.86, then reversed to a low of 7063.76—stemmed from conflicting signals on US-Iran military tensions: US forces struck approximately 90 Iranian military targets along the southern coast to degrade Hormuz Strait control capabilities, Iran vowed retaliatory strikes on US bases in the region, yet President Donald Trump stated Iran had contacted the US expressing a desire for negotiations. Lee Kyung-min, analyst at Daishin Securities, attributed the directionless fluctuation to 'continued Middle East-originated noise and supply-demand volatility' overlaying semiconductor sector rebound buying at the open.
KOSPI Reverses Intraday Gains Amid US-Iran Military Strikes
KOSPI opened at 7486.64, up 239.85 points or 3.31%, according to MPDoctor data on the 9th. The index climbed to an intraday high of 7543.86 before reversing course and falling to 7063.76, ultimately closing at 7291.91—up 45.12 points or 0.62%. The US military announced strikes on approximately 90 Iranian military targets including air defense networks, coastal surveillance equipment, missile and drone storage facilities, naval assets, and logistical support sites along Iran's southern coast to weaken Tehran's ability to control and attack through the Hormuz Strait. Iran responded by asserting retaliatory strikes targeting US military bases in the Middle East, escalating the bilateral military confrontation. President Donald Trump subsequently stated that Iran had contacted the US indicating a desire for negotiations, adding to the mixed flow of information. Lee Kyung-min of Daishin Securities noted, 'The domestic stock market opened higher on semiconductor sector rebound buying, but lacked direction and repeated ups and downs due to continued Middle East-originated noise and supply-demand volatility.'
Individual Investors Net Sell 1.3 Trillion Won as Institutions and Foreigners Buy
Individual investors net sold 1.3274 trillion won on the KOSPI market on the 9th, while foreign investors net bought 134.9 billion won and institutional investors net bought 1.2873 trillion won. Program trading showed a net buying advantage of 1.2062 trillion won combining arbitrage and non-arbitrage flows. Lee Kyung-min explained, 'Negative factors surrounding the semiconductor sector and accumulated profit-taking pressure led individual investors to large-scale net selling. As a result, the index gave back intraday gains and volatility expanded again.' On the KOSDAQ market, individual investors net sold 321.2 billion won while foreign and institutional investors net bought 22.0 billion won and 307.8 billion won respectively. Program trading on KOSDAQ showed a net buying advantage of 91.3 billion won.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Lead Mixed Performance Among Top Stocks
Top market-cap stocks displayed mixed performance on the 9th. Samsung Electronics closed at 278,000 won, up 500 won or 0.18%. SK Hynix closed at 2,186,000 won, up 110,000 won or 5.30%. Hyundai Motor closed at 445,500 won, down 17,000 won or 3.68%. Samsung C&T closed at 378,500 won, down 16,500 won or 4.18%, according to Korea Exchange data. KOSDAQ closed at 794.00, up 9.00 points or 1.15% from the previous trading day, after opening at 792.99.
FAQ
What caused KOSPI to reverse intraday gains on the 9th?
KOSPI opened up 3.31% at 7486.64 and peaked at 7543.86 before reversing to a low of 7063.76 and closing at 7291.91 (up 0.62%). The reversal occurred after news that US forces struck approximately 90 Iranian military targets along Iran's southern coast, prompting Iranian threats of retaliatory strikes on US bases in the Middle East. Lee Kyung-min of Daishin Securities attributed the volatility to 'continued Middle East-originated noise and supply-demand volatility.'
How did investor groups trade on KOSPI on the 9th?
Individual investors net sold 1.3274 trillion won on KOSPI on the 9th. Foreign investors net bought 134.9 billion won and institutional investors net bought 1.2873 trillion won, absorbing the individual selling pressure. Program trading showed a net buying advantage of 1.2062 trillion won combining arbitrage and non-arbitrage flows.
