Stock market in Seoul concludes session in the red, anticipating the release of crucial US inflation figures

The South Korean stock market closed lower on Friday, August 25, 2022, with the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) ending the day at 3,186.01, down 0.32 percent.

The Kospi opened higher but ended lower due to foreign investors seeking profits ahead of the US July personal consumption expenditure price index. Foreigners were net sellers, offloading 366 billion won, while institutional investors purchased a net 62.5 billion won. Retail investors, however, scooped up a net 229.7 billion won.

Most large-cap shares ended lower, with tech and pharmaceutical shares leading the decline. Samsung Electronics inched up 0.14 percent to 69,700 won, while Naver slid 1.38 percent to 214,500 won. Celltrion declined 2.78 percent to 167,600 won, and Kakao fell 1.57 percent to 62,500 won. Hanwha Ocean added 2 percent to 112,000 won, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries jumped 3.38 percent to 520,000 won. SK hynix moved up 0.19 percent to 269,000 won.

Investors took a wait-and-see stance ahead of key US economic data, with foreign selling being fueled by risk aversion and no clear winners being seen amid a lack of fresh momentum. The local currency closed at 1,390.1 won against the greenback, down 2.5 won from the previous session's close.

Trade volume was light at 242.3 million shares worth 8.8 trillion won ($6.3 billion). Losers outnumbered gainers 579 to 301.

It is worth noting that more recent data from August 2025 mentions increased interest in South Korean chip manufacturer stocks like Samsung Electronics that rose 2.6% on a given day, influenced by geopolitical trade developments and US-South Korea trade negotiations. However, specific public information about which institutions and persons participated in trading shares of the largest South Korean companies on August 25, 2022, is not available.

The US July personal consumption expenditure price index, considered a key gauge of the Federal Reserve's policy direction, is expected to be released soon, which could potentially impact the South Korean stock market in the near future.

Stock market in Seoul concludes session in the red, anticipating the release of crucial US inflation figures