The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) experienced sharp fluctuations during the early trading session on July 14. As of 11:00 a.m., it was at 6,712.84 points, down 1.38%. During the session, it briefly rose by more than 2% on bargain hunting, approaching the 7,000-point threshold, but then fell back to around 6,700 due to selling pressure. Retail investors were net sellers of 2.3 trillion won, while foreign investors were net buyers of 430 billion won.
Retail investors sold 2.3 trillion won of KOSPI; institutions and foreign investors bought against the trend
According to reports, on July 14, 2026, the flow of funds into and out of South Korea’s KOSPI showed a clear split:
Retail investors: net sold 2.3 trillion won (largest seller)
Institutional investors: net bought 1.92 trillion won (including 117 billion won from the National Pension Service, 111 billion won from investment trusts)
Foreign investors: net bought 430 billion won
Brokerages: net bought 980 billion won
KOSDAQ retail: net bought 150 billion won; institutional investors net bought 44 billion won; foreign investors net sold 211.9 billion won
Hormuz Strait blockade tightens, oil prices push toward $80
According to reports, renewed tensions between Iran and the U.S. were the main factors impacting the July 14 Korean stock market: Iran re-blocked the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States resumed airstrikes against Iran; U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 20% fee on goods transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
International oil prices approached $80 per barrel, boosting refinery and shipping-related shares significantly: SK Innovation? (13,260 won) rose about 14% (+1,620 won); STX Green Logis (3,300 won) hit the daily limit-up, with a gain of 29.92% (+760 won).
Semiconductor sector and KOSDAQ trend: SK hynix down 2%, Alteogen plunges 15.32%
Reports indicate the semiconductor sector showed mixed performance: Samsung Electronics declined slightly (253,500 won, down 0.39%, about 1,000 won); SK hynix fell by about 2%, with its share price around 1.8 million won; other large-cap stocks including Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung Life Insurance, and Hyundai Motor also declined.
For KOSDAQ, it hovered around 767 points, down nearly 4%; Alteogen (268,000 won) tumbled about 15.32% (-48,500 won); EcoPro and EcoPro BM each fell by nearly 7%; net selling by foreign investors of 211.9 billion won weighed on KOSDAQ and pushed it lower.
FAQ
Why did the KOSPI fall after trading near 7,000 points on July 14?
According to reports, after opening lower, the KOSPI experienced bargain buying in the morning that pushed it up by more than 2%, approaching the 7,000-point mark. However, selling pressure quickly returned, and retail investors net sold 2.3 trillion won that day, bringing the index back down to around 6,700 points. As of 11:17 a.m., it was at 6,712.84 points.
How exactly does the Strait of Hormuz being blocked again affect the Korean stock market?
Reports indicate that the renewed blockage of the Strait of Hormuz pushed international oil prices close to $80 per barrel, directly driving a sharp rise in South Korean refinery and shipping stocks (SK Innovation? up 14%, STX Green Logis hitting the limit-up). Meanwhile, the 20% transit fee announced by Trump heightened market concerns about energy costs and inflation, negatively impacting overall market sentiment.
How did SK hynix and Samsung Electronics perform amid this market turmoil?
According to reports, SK hynix fell by about 2% on the day, with its share price around 1.8 million won. Samsung Electronics edged down 0.39% (about 1,000 won), closing at 253,500 won. Both semiconductor leaders declined amid a market environment where oil-related stocks surged and retail investors sold heavily, contrasting with the strong performance of refinery and shipping sectors.
