KOSDAQ 1,200선 돌파, Korean Market Briefing — 2026-04-26
On Friday, April 24, the KOSPI took a breather after three straight record-high days, closing flat at 6,470. Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ made history by breaking through the 1,200 mark for the first time in 25 years. Foreign investors offloaded over 2.1 trillion KRW in KOSPI stocks to lock in profits, but domestic retail and institutional investors stepped in to hold the line amidst rising tensions in the Middle East and U.S.-Iran relations.
Daily Index Overview
| Index | Closing Price | Change | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOSPI | 6,470 level | Flat | ~0% | Resting after 3-day rally; 2.1 trillion KRW foreign sell-off |
| KOSDAQ | Above 1,200 | Up | Positive | First 1,200 breakout in 25 years since 2000 |
| KOSPI 200 / Futures | — | — | — | Data unconfirmed |
On April 24, the KOSPI closed flat as a sense of fatigue set in following three consecutive record-breaking days, compounded by fears of renewed conflict in the Middle East. The KOSDAQ took a different path, reaching a historic milestone by surpassing 1,200, driven by buying in materials, biotech, and small-to-mid-cap IT stocks. Despite a massive sell-off by foreign investors (exceeding 2.1 trillion KRW in KOSPI), retail and institutional buying prevented a sharper decline. Defense and shipbuilding stocks performed well, while large-cap tech stocks saw weakness, highlighting a clear divergence between sectors.
Trading Trends by Investor Type
- Foreign Investors: Net sold over 2.1 trillion KRW in KOSPI. Focused on taking profits after the three-day rally, with selling concentrated on large-cap tech (semiconductors/IT).
- Institutions: Net sold approximately 165 billion KRW in KOSPI, following the foreign trend.
- Retail Investors: Net bought 162.3 billion KRW in KOSPI to defend the index. In KOSDAQ, they shifted positions by net selling 231.1 billion KRW of KODEX KOSDAQ150 ETFs while rotating into KOSPI 200-related and semiconductor inverse ETFs.
Top Movers
Top Gainers
- Defense (Hanwha Aerospace, LIG Nex1, etc.): Strengthened on expectations of defense industry benefits due to renewed Middle East tensions. The ongoing standoff between the U.S. and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz has boosted defense export momentum.
- Shipbuilding (HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, etc.): Emerged as a market leader alongside defense stocks. Global energy security needs and LNG carrier orders drove institutional and foreign interest.
- EcoPro (086520): Rose +2.44%. As a top KOSDAQ battery materials stock, it benefited from renewed earnings expectations for cathode materials during the index rally.
- EcoPro BM (247540): Rose +0.96%, reflecting continued foreign inflow into the core K-battery supply chain.
Top Losers
- Samsung Electronics (005930): Closed lower, becoming the primary target of foreign selling.
- SK Hynix (000660): Remained weak despite strong HBM demand as it couldn't avoid the foreign sell-off. CNBC reported that domestic retail investors moving funds to the U.S. market added pressure to large IT stocks.
- KODEX KOSDAQ150 Leverage ETF: Despite the KOSDAQ's rise to 1,200, retail investors booked profits, resulting in a net sale of 231.1 billion KRW, reflecting caution at market highs.
Key Issues & Drivers
- KOSDAQ's 25-Year Milestone: Surpassing 1,200 for the first time since 2000 signals strong sentiment in battery, bio, and IT sectors. While it boosted the overall market, high-level caution led to a sell-off in leverage ETFs.
- Foreign 2.1 Trillion KRW Sell-off: The heavy selling in KOSPI after a record-breaking streak was largely a profit-taking move targeting semiconductor and electronics stocks.
- Middle East Tensions: Reports of U.S. tanker detentions have renewed friction with Iran. This acts as a boost for defense stocks but presents long-term risks for South Korea's energy-dependent industries.
- Retail Investor Rotation: According to the Seoul Economic Daily, retail investors are rotating out of KOSDAQ ETFs and into KOSPI 200 products or U.S. markets, partly due to ongoing capital gains tax discussions.
- Foreign Return Strategy: Reuters reports that foreign funds are returning to Korea on the back of AI memory demand and corporate governance reforms, suggesting the recent sell-off is a temporary tactical move.
Investment Guidance
- Short-term: Expect resistance around the KOSPI 6,500 level. With continued foreign selling likely to increase volatility in large-cap semiconductors, focus on sectors with strong earnings momentum like defense and shipbuilding.
- Mid-to-Long term: The core pillars—AI memory, corporate governance reforms, and the semiconductor cycle—remain intact. If the KOSDAQ stabilizes above 1,200, expanding into small-to-mid-cap tech stocks may be considered.
- Risks: Monitor global "risk-off" triggers from Middle East tensions, the sustainability of the foreign net sell-off, and potential import price inflation due to a weakening KRW.
This briefing is based on news and data released between April 24–25, 2026. Investors are solely responsible for their own investment decisions.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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