KOSPI Plunges 4%; Top Investors Scoop Up Telecom Stocks

Top-performing investors are buying telecommunications stocks as the KOSPI plunged 4% amid heightened global uncertainty.

According to Mirae Asset Securities, SK Telecom, SK Hynix, and S-Oil were the top three stocks purchased by the brokerage's highest-performing investors—those in the top 1% by returns over the past month—during morning trading on the 3rd.

As of 11:42 a.m., SK Telecom was trading at 79,400 won, down just 0.50% from the previous session. While major large-cap stocks including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor tumbled approximately 5%, SK Telecom absorbed the shock with only a modest decline. KT rose 1.10% as telecommunications companies demonstrated resilience amid volatility triggered by U.S. military operations against Iran.

"Some top-performing investors appear to be focusing on telecom companies as market volatility expands," a securities industry official said. "Telecom companies, like food companies, are less affected by economic cycles or market fluctuations."

SK Hynix, the second most purchased stock, fell 5.37% on the day. Despite the sharp decline, some investors engaged in bargain hunting following bullish institutional outlooks. Last month, Macquarie set a target price of 1.7 million won for SK Hynix—approximately 70% above current levels. The chipmaker leads the high-bandwidth memory market, a cornerstone of the artificial intelligence era, and recently announced a global standardization strategy for its next-generation High Bandwidth Flash solution. BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, has increased its stake in SK Hynix to 5%.

S-Oil surged 23.64% as investors bet on improved earnings following oil price spikes triggered by Middle East tensions. Iran declared a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—through which approximately 20% of global oil shipments pass—after the U.S. attack. Brent crude futures for May delivery on the ICE exchange closed at $77.74 per barrel, up 6.7%, while West Texas Intermediate futures for April delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange settled at $71.23 per barrel, up 6.3%. Rising oil prices typically improve refining margins and boost operating profits for refiners.

The top net-sold stocks of the day were Rainbow Robotics, Celltrion, and LIG Nex1. The previous session's top net purchases were SK Hynix, Rainbow Robotics, and Kakao, while the most sold were Hyundai Motor, OliX, and Neotis.

Mirae Asset Securities compiles and publishes trading data from its top 1% performing clients on its mobile trading system in real-time, daily, and five-day formats. This data is provided for informational purposes only, does not represent the firm's views, and does not guarantee suitable investments or returns for individual investors. Theme stocks may experience abnormal price swings.