KOSPI, adjusting its pace before the 8,000-point mark... profit-taking selling pressure emerges

The KOSPI index began a downward trend at the opening on May 15, 2026, and is currently trading near 7,950 points. The previous day (the 14th), it hit a new all-time high and approached the 8,000-point mark, but after a short-term surge, it entered a pause and consolidation phase.

At 9:03 a.m. that day, the KOSPI index fell 31.06 points (0.39%) from the previous trading day, to 7,950.35 points. The index opened at 7,951.75 points, down 29.66 points (0.37%) from the previous day, and then fluctuated at a similar level. This was seen as a sign that the upward momentum at the opening had weakened, leading to a continuation of the retracement of some gains from the previous day.

Earlier, on the 14th, the KOSPI rose 1.75%, closing at 7,981.41 points, setting a new record for the highest closing price. During the day, it briefly rose to 7,991.04 points, boosting expectations of breaking through 8,000 points. Since stock prices tend to be profit-taking when they rise rapidly in the short term (selling to lock in profits after a price increase), the early low open on that day can also be interpreted as a normal market correction.

Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ index increased by 0.71 points (0.06%) from the previous trading day, to 1,191.80 points. During the period when the large-cap-focused KOSPI was consolidating, growth stocks and mid-cap stocks, which make up a larger proportion of the KOSDAQ, showed relatively strong performance. This indicates that the overall investor sentiment in the domestic stock market has not sharply cooled, but rather, there has been a divergence in buying and selling flows among different indices.

Market attention is focused on the fact that, since the KOSPI has risen close to its all-time high, the short-term battle to hold above the 8,000-point threshold may continue. Some analysts believe that although profit-taking and caution may slow the index’s upward pace in the short term, if buying pressure can still be maintained near the high point, there remains a possibility of further upward attempts later on.