Korea Stock Market (KRX) Today (August 24): South Korea’s stock market ended sharply lower as heavy profit-taking in large-cap technology stocks dragged the KOSPI down more than 3%.
Samsung Electronics plunged 8.35% after investors reacted negatively to its latest shareholder return plan, while SK Hynix gained 2.4% and bucked the broader semiconductor sell-off. Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ moved higher as investors shifted toward smaller technology, healthcare and growth stocks.
Korea Stock Market (KRX) Today (August 24): Why is the Korean Stock Market Down Today?
The KOSPI came under heavy selling pressure as investors booked profits following the recent rally in South Korean chip stocks. Samsung Electronics became the biggest source of pressure after its latest shareholder-return announcement failed to meet some investors’ expectations.
Market participants also remained cautious ahead of Nvidia’s upcoming earnings report and the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium, two events that could influence global technology stocks and market sentiment.
Korea Stock Market (KRX) Today (August 24): KOSPI Crashed By 3.03%
The benchmark KOSPI Composite Index suffered a steep decline on Monday, falling 209.78 points from its previous close.
KOSPI Performance
- Closing Value: 6,703.17
- Daily Change: -3.03%
- Previous Close: 6,912.95
- Opening Value: 6,881.07
- Intraday High: 6,884.57
- Intraday Low: 6,656.07
The index remained under pressure throughout the session as investors reduced exposure to major technology stocks. Samsung Electronics’ sharp decline weighed heavily on the benchmark because of its large market capitalization.
Korea Stock Market (KRX) Today (August 24): KOSDAQ Up By 1% – 2.2%
The KOSDAQ moved against the direction of the KOSPI, with the secondary index gaining during Monday’s session. The KOSDAQ opened at 804.27, up 0.29% from its previous close of 801.94, before extending its gains toward the 813-820 range.
Foreign investors supported smaller technology and healthcare stocks, helping the KOSDAQ withstand the weakness in large-cap semiconductor shares. Stocks including Alteogen, EcoPro, EcoPro BM, HLB and Jusung Engineering attracted buying interest as money rotated away from mega-cap chip stocks.
Korea Stock Market (KRX) Today (August 24): Samsung Electronics Down By 8.35%
Samsung Electronics suffered a major sell-off and emerged as one of the biggest drags on the KOSPI. The stock closed at 258,000, down 8.35%, after opening at 271,500. It touched an intraday high of 272,000 and fell as low as 255,000.
Samsung Electronics Performance
- Closing Price: 258,000
- Daily Change: -8.35%
- Previous Close: 281,500
- Opening Price: 271,500
- Intraday High: 272,000
- Intraday Low: 255,000
- Trading Volume: 25,298,512 shares
Korea Stock Market (KRX) Today (August 24): SK Hynix Up By 2.4%
SK Hynix provided a stark contrast to Samsung Electronics, gaining 2.4% despite the KOSPI’s 3.03% crash. The stock closed at 1,689,000, after opening at 1,775,000 and reaching an intraday high of 1,792,000. It later slipped to 1,673,000 before recovering into positive territory.
SK Hynix Performance
- Closing Price: 1,689,000
- Daily Change: +2.40%
- Previous Close: 1,730,000
- Opening Price: 1,775,000
- Intraday High: 1,792,000
- Intraday Low: 1,673,000
- Trading Volume: 3,100,226 shares
Korea Stock Market (KRX) Today (August 24) Performance
- KOSPI: 6,703.17, down 3.03%
- KOSDAQ: Rose around 1%-2.2% during the session
- Samsung Electronics: ₩258,000, down 8.35%
- SK Hynix: ₩1,689,000, up 2.40%
- KOSPI Open: 6,881.07
- KOSPI High: 6,884.57
- KOSPI Low: 6,656.07
- Large-cap semiconductor stocks faced heavy profit-taking.
- KOSDAQ technology and healthcare stocks attracted buying interest.
- Nvidia’s earnings and the Jackson Hole symposium remained key market catalysts.
Korea Stock Market (KRX) Today (August 24): Top Gainers
- SK Hynix – +2.40%
- Alteogen – gained amid buying interest in KOSDAQ healthcare stocks.
- EcoPro – advanced as investors rotated toward growth stocks.
- EcoPro BM – moved higher alongside battery-related shares.
- HLB – gained amid stronger demand for selected healthcare stocks.
Korea Stock Market (KRX) Today (August 24): Top Losers
- Samsung Electronics – -8.35%
- Samsung Life Insurance – -9.9%
- Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance – -8%
- KB Financial – -1.64%
- Hyundai Motor – -1.08%
Samsung-affiliated companies faced additional selling pressure as investors assessed the company’s capital allocation and shareholder-return strategy.
Korea Stock Market (KRX) Today (August 24): What Should Investors Know?
Monday’s session showed a clear split within South Korea’s stock market. While the KOSPI suffered a 3.03% decline, the KOSDAQ attracted buying interest as investors moved toward smaller technology, healthcare and growth stocks.
The biggest development came from the contrasting performances of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Samsung’s 8.35% decline highlighted investor disappointment over its shareholder-return plans, while SK Hynix’s 2.4% gain showed stronger confidence in its outlook and capital-return strategy.
Investors will now focus on Nvidia’s earnings, global AI demand, semiconductor prices and the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole meeting for the next major signals for South Korean stocks.
