March 13 Market Closing Report — KOSPI Plunges, KOSDAQ Rebounds Alone

Today's Market in One Line

"Large-caps sold off while small/mid-cap growth stocks were bought" — A day of stark decoupling between KOSPI and KOSDAQ!

Index Trends

KOSPI — 5,487.24 (-96.01, -1.72%)

KOSPI fell more than 96 points in a single day, giving up the 5,500 level. This was the largest single-day drop in the past month, driven by simultaneous selling from both foreign and institutional investors. The decline was concentrated in large-cap semiconductor and battery stocks at the top of the market cap rankings.

KOSDAQ — 1,152.96 (+16.13, +1.42%)

In contrast, KOSDAQ saw strong dip-buying inflows and held above the 1,150 level. Retail investors actively bought small/mid-cap stocks in biotech, AI software, and secondary battery materials, with advancing stocks significantly outnumbering decliners.

Key Issues

U.S. Macro Concerns: The previous night's U.S. February CPI came in slightly above expectations, reigniting fears of a delayed Fed rate cut. This led to dollar strength and won weakness, putting pressure on foreign investor flows.
Semiconductor Export Regulation Concerns: Foreign media reports about potential additional U.S. semiconductor export restrictions on China cooled sentiment around domestic semiconductor large-caps.
Biotech Catalyst: A domestic biotech company announced positive Phase 2 FDA clinical trial results in the U.S., lifting the entire KOSDAQ biotech sector.

Sector Performance

Market	Strong Sectors	Weak Sectors
KOSPI	Defense, Utilities	Semiconductors, Batteries, Autos
KOSDAQ	Biotech, AI Software	Entertainment, Gaming

Defense stocks maintained steady buying on geopolitical tensions, while utilities and telecom defensive plays limited their declines.

Tomorrow's Outlook

U.S. PPI release (local time March 13) will be digested before market open, potentially amplifying volatility depending on the results.
The 5,450-5,480 range is drawing attention as short-term support for KOSPI; if this zone is breached, the possibility of further correction should be considered.
For KOSDAQ, holding the 1,150 support is key, and confirmation of whether the biotech momentum continues is needed.

Investment Disclaimer

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a buy/sell recommendation. Stock investing carries the risk of principal loss, and all investment decisions and resulting responsibilities lie with the individual investor. Please make careful judgments based on your own investment style and circumstances.