Overview

• Foreign investors sold a net 682.1 billion won as individuals bought 846.9 billion won and institutions offloaded 263.8 billion won.
• The won weakened to 1,396.8 per U.S. dollar, and uncertainty over the next Federal Reserve decision weighed on sentiment.
• The Cabinet approved a tax reform plan that left the capital gains tax threshold unchanged, extending uncertainty over shareholder taxation.
• Market internals softened with average daily turnover in August near 10 trillion won and net short-selling balances rising to 10.2 trillion won for Aug. 1–20.
• The Korea–U.S. summit produced no surprises that might shift markets, and declines were broad, including losses in Samsung Electronics and major shipbuilders.