[Edaily Reporter Kim Kyung-eun ] The KOSPI fell more than 1%, dropping below the 5,500 mark. Although it briefly rose above 5,500 during the session, it ultimately closed lower amid foreign selling and a wait-and-see attitude ahead of major events. The KOSDAQ also plunged more than 3%, with the domestic stock market showing weakness across the board.

According to MP Doctor on the 26th, the KOSPI closed at 5,469.47, down 80.83 points (1.46%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 5,499.05, down 51.25 points (0.92%) from the previous trading day, and briefly turned positive, rising to 5,565.67 during the session. However, losses widened in the afternoon, and the market closed near its intraday low of 5,455.11.

By investor type, retail investors were net buyers of 47.4 billion won and institutional investors were net buyers of 611.0 billion won, while foreign investors were net sellers of 695.5 billion won.

The weakness in the domestic stock market today is attributed to subdued investor sentiment ahead of the so-called “Super Week,” which features the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) regular meeting and earnings announcements from major Big Tech companies. Amid rising international oil prices and persistent pressure from U.S. Treasury yields, concerns about the sustainability and profitability of artificial intelligence (AI) investments remained unresolved, limiting the inflow of aggressive bargain-hunting.

Lee Kyung-min, an analyst at DaishinSecurities, noted, “With major events scheduled—including the October FOMC meeting, earnings reports from major companies, and the U.S. midterm elections—a wait-and-see attitude prevails over hasty bargain hunting or panic selling.” He added, “With foreign investors continuing to net sell, there are no clear buyers to absorb these sales,” explaining that “as a wait-and-see attitude deepens ahead of major events, the inflow of aggressive bargain-hunting and the momentum for a stock market rebound remain limited.”

Most of the top KOSPI stocks by market capitalization also fell. SamsungElectronics(005930)closed at 213,000 won, down 2,500 won (1.16%) from the previous trading day. SK hynix(000660)also closed at 1,275,000 won, down 2,000 won (0.16%). SK hynix showed relatively steady performance during the session as speculation arose about the possibility of a special dividend funded by gains from the sale of its Kioxia stake, but it eventually turned lower.

In addition, LG Energy Solution(373220)(-2.09%), SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)(-0.36%), SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940)(-0.95%), HyundaiMotor(005380)(-2.54%), KB Financial Group(105560)(-3.79%), and Celltrion(068270)(-2.26%) all fell. On the other hand, Samsung Life Insurance(032830)(0.61%) and SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION(028260)(1.39%) closed higher.

The downward trend was also pronounced across sectors. The medical and precision instruments sector (-5.88%) saw the sharpest decline, while metals (-3.51%), machinery and equipment (-3.16%), textiles and apparel (-3.01%), and transportation equipment and parts (-2.96%) also fell significantly. The declines were relatively modest in the electrical and electronics (-0.96%) and transportation and warehousing (-0.98%) sectors.

The KOSDAQ fell more sharply than the KOSPI. The KOSDAQ index closed at 727.21, down 24.48 points (3.26%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 742.17, down 1.27%, and narrowed its losses to 745.95 during the session, but the decline accelerated afterward, and it closed near its intraday low.

By investor type, retail investors and foreign investors were net buyers of 85.4 billion won and 40.2 billion won, respectively, while institutional investors were net sellers of 127.8 billion won.

The top two KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization also fell in tandem. Alteogen Inc.(196170)closed at 218,500 won, down 6,000 won (2.67%) from the previous trading day. ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520)closed at 69,700 won, down 3,000 won (4.135%) from the previous session.

In addition, among the top market-cap stocks, ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540)(-3.45%), JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930)(-6.84%), Rainbow Robotics(277810)(-1.42%), and HLB INC.(028300)(-5.65%) all fell across the board. In contrast, ROBOTIS(108490)rose 9.56%.