KOSPI fell Thursday amid rising international oil prices driven by Middle East tensions, but it stayed above 7,000 and closed at 7,033.92. Foreign investors were net sellers, while retail and institutional investors bought shares. The Kosdaq rose, and semiconductor, defense and insurance stocks gained while refining and chemical shares fell.
KOSPI and Kosdaq are displayed in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Thursday. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 7,033.92, down 0.25 percent from the previous session, while the secondary Kosdaq closed at 836.92, down 0.79 percent. Yonhap
The KOSPI edged lower Thursday amid a surge in international oil prices triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, but managed to close above the 7,000 mark.
The benchmark index closed at 7,033.92, down 0.25 percent from the previous session. The index opened 0.18 percent lower and rose as high as 7,072.79 before falling to 6,898.45. It then fluctuated around the 7,000 level as institutional selling pressure eased.
Foreign investors sold a net 2.48 trillion won ($1.85 billion) worth of shares, while retail and institutional investors bought a net 380 billion won and 433.5 billion won, respectively.
