Finally, KOSPI Enters the 'Thaw'! Why You Absolutely Shouldn't Sell Now, As Foreigners Are Sweeping Up Everything

Summary

Lee Jaegyu, SK Securities PB Deputy Manager, argues that the Korean stock market is entering a thawing phase after a prolonged decline, with KOSPI seeing a rare foreign buying streak. He advises against aggressively selling positions and presents specific long ideas in semiconductors, secondary batteries, robotics, and shipbuilding, while placing the pharma/biotech sector on watch. His broader message is to stay invested to capture the bounce in oversold large-cap and KOSDAQ names.

• KOSPI and KOSDAQ rebounded after a month-long fall, dubbed a 'thawing' (해빙) phase.
• Foreign investors net bought KOSPI for four consecutive days, the first such streak in three months, signaling selling fatigue.
• Semiconductors (Samsung Electronics, SK hynix) remain core holdings with a dip-buying approach, though the rebound momentum is softer than before.
• Secondary battery cell makers (Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution, SK Innovation) are oversold; ESS demand growth and supply tightness by 2027 offer a recovery thesis.
• Robotics stocks (Rainbow Robotics, Doosan Robotics) are deeply beaten down and present a tactical bounce supported by long-term robot adoption themes.
• Large-cap shipbuilders (HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean) are heavily oversold and could see a technical rebound.
• The pharma/biotech sector is on watch as an oversold KOSDAQ growth leader, with a detailed discussion planned next session.
• Aggressive portfolio reductions are discouraged; maintaining exposure is important to benefit from the market thaw.