The KOSPI opened 0.72% lower at 6,578.17, slid as far as 6,368.49 (-3.89%) during the session and ended the regular session at 6,384.24, down 241.69 points. Breadth was heavily negative: 167 advancers (including one limit-up), 720 decliners and 32 unchanged.
Foreigners sold for a fifth session; retail bought KRW 1.47 trillion
At the regular close, foreign investors net sold KRW 2.025 trillion and institutions KRW 110.6 billion, while individuals net bought KRW 1.4674 trillion. Samsung Electronics, which reported record operating profit on October 8, fell 4.39% to KRW 250,500, and SK hynix lost 4.52% to KRW 1,605,000. Analysts pointed to the OpenAI profitability debate during the holiday along with domestic factors such as the won's sharp move and foreign selling pressure.
KOSDAQ closed at 849.19 and USD/KRW was 1,335.1 at 3:30 p.m.
The KOSDAQ dropped 43.08 points, or 4.83%, to 849.19, its steepest fall since July 29. The won stood at KRW 1,335.1 per U.S. dollar at the 3:30 p.m. reference, 7.7 won stronger than the prior reference.
