KOSPI Slides While Select Stocks Rally Midday

The KOSPI fell 1.25% to 6,826.17 and the KOSDAQ slipped 0.09% to 836.93 as of midday, reflecting a broadly bearish tone in the Korean market. The won traded at 1,384.61 per USD. Despite the overall decline, a handful of equities posted double‑digit gains.

KUMHOE&C (002990) +15.71%

KUMHOE&C surged 15.71% to close at 16,150 KRW, marking its strongest intraday move today. Available headlines, however, mainly describe recent pressure from institutional sell‑offs and profit‑taking that pushed the stock down by 3% on Aug 27 [3], and a lingering "watchful" market sentiment that kept prices flat on Aug 25 [5]. A 6.66% rise on Aug 28 is noted [1] but does not clarify today's catalyst. Consequently, the specific driver of the 15.71% gain cannot be confirmed from the provided headlines.

COSMAX, INC. (192820) +6.54%

COSMAX, INC. jumped 6.54% after the market opened. The company recently signed a joint‑development MOU with Hyundai Home Shopping to expand a customized beauty ecosystem [9] and participated in launching Indonesia's first cosmetics department, signalling technical upgrades [8]. An investment‑analysis report from its holding company was also released [7]. While these developments could underpin optimism, the headlines do not directly attribute today's price move, so the exact cause remains unverified.

HankookCosmeticsManufacturing (003350) +11.33%

Hankook Cosmetics Manufacturing rallied 11.33% to 14,410 KRW. The surge aligns with a broader recovery in the cosmetics sector and concentrated buying pressure noted in market commentary [11][13]. Institutional investors have been net buyers for eight consecutive sessions, reinforcing demand [12]. Additionally, shareholder Asset Plus Asset Management increased its stake by 0.63 percentage points, further supporting the price rise [14]. These factors together explain the sharp intraday gain.

Hecto Financial (234340) +11.08%

Hecto Financial advanced 11.08% following a strong buying wave. Foreign investors and domestic institutions simultaneously posted net purchases, amplifying demand and driving the stock up [15]. The company also held an investor‑relations event aimed at rekindling interest and prompting a rebound [16]. While other influences cannot be ruled out, the reported net buying and IR activity provide a clear rationale for the midday rally.

KOLMAR KOREA (161890) +9.88%

KOLMAR KOREA climbed 9.88% amid a series of positive fundamentals. Strong earnings spurred a five‑day streak of institutional net buying, lifting the share price by 3‑5% in recent sessions [17][20]. At the same time, the vice‑president’s family sold shares at record levels, slightly reducing the controlling stake and adding modest sell pressure [19][21]. Nonetheless, a buoyant cosmetics market overall helped sustain the intraday strength [22].

Sources

1. 금호건설 주가, 8월 28일 장중 16,150원 6.66% 상승 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-28
2. 금호건설 주가, 8월 26일 장중 15,540원 1.04% 상승 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-26
3. 금호건설, 기관 매도세와 차익 실현에 3%대 하락 마감 : 한국증시 — 재경일보 · 2026-08-27
4. 금호건설 주가, 8월 25일 장중 14,860원 보합 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-25
5. [특징주] 금호건설, 조용한 숨 고르기…관망세 속 수급 주목 : 한국증시 — 재경일보 · 2026-08-25
6. 금호건설 주가, 8월 27일 장중 15,090원 3.82% 하락 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-27
7. 코스맥스비티아이 투자분석 2026. 08. 25 — 주달 · 2026-08-25
8. 코스맥스, 인도네시아 첫 화장품학과 개설 참여...기술력 고도화 — 아주경제 · 2026-08-28
9. "맞춤형 뷰티 생태계 확장"...코스맥스-현대홈쇼핑, 공동 개발 MOU — 청년일보 · 2026-08-24
10. 한국화장품제조 주가, 8월 25일 14,410원 22.95% 상승 마감 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-25
11. [마감분석] 한국화장품제조, 뚜렷한 호재 없이 22%대 급등…수급 쏠림 관측 : 한국증시 — 재경일보 · 2026-08-25
12. [장중수급포착] 한국화장품제조, 기관 8일 연속 순매수행진... 주가 +14.59% — 뉴스핌 · 2026-08-25
13. [특징주] 한국화장품제조, 화장품 업종 회복세 속 수급 기대감에 급등 : 한국증시 — 재경일보 · 2026-08-25
14. 한국화장품제조, 주주 에셋플러스자산운용 측 주식등 보유 비율 0.63%p 증가 — 디지털투데이 · 2026-08-28
15. [장중수급포착] 헥토파이낸셜, 외국인/기관 동시 순매수… 주가 +13.92% — 뉴스핌 · 2026-08-28
16. [공시]헥토파이낸셜 IR 개최…주가 반등 노려 — 한스경제 · 2026-08-25
17. [공시 Pick] 한국콜마, 호실적 들고 기관 만난다…주가 3%대↑ — 뉴스투데이 · 2026-08-25
18. 한국콜마 주가, 8월 24일 143,300원 4.83% 상승 마감 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-08-24
19. 한국콜마 부사장 가족, 신고가에 주식 전량 가까이 처분…’분쟁 끝’ 콜마家 주변 지분정리 이어져 — 수원일보 · 2026-08-25
20. [장중수급포착] 한국콜마, 기관 5일 연속 순매수행진... 주가 +2.93% — 뉴스핌 · 2026-08-25
21. 한국콜마, 한상근 임원 가족 장내매도로 최대주주 지분 721주 감소 — 데이터투자 · 2026-08-25
22. 한국콜마, 화장품 업황 훈풍 속 장중 강세 지속 : 기업주식정보 — 재경일보 · 2026-08-25

This is market commentary, not investment advice.