What if you bought KODEX 200 at the COVID KOSPI bottom?
This uses real data to show what would have happened if you had invested a lump sum in KODEX 200 (a KOSPI 200 ETF) on March 19, 2020 — when the KOSPI crashed to 1,439 amid COVID fear. It is a case where 'the scariest day' became the bottom in hindsight.
⚠️ Know the risk first
A bottom is only knowable after the fact. At the time, fear that 'the economy would stop' peaked, and it would have been very hard for a real investor to buy on this day. This result is an idealized assumption that pinpoints the bottom in hindsight.
What happened that day
On March 19, 2020, COVID pandemic fear peaked and the KOSPI crashed intraday to around 1,439. It then rebounded on massive stimulus and liquidity, later confirmed as the bottom of the COVID crash.
Why this date
The buy date is March 19, 2020, when the KOSPI hit the COVID crash bottom, computing directly 'what if you bought the index on the scariest day.'
Investment conditions
Asset · KODEX 200 (KOSPI 200 ETF) · lump-sum at the COVID crash low, then held
Method · Lump-sum (all at once)
Period · 2020-03-19 ~ 2026-07-01
Amount · $7,407
As of · 2026-07-01
Key metrics
These results do not reflect taxes. Based on historical data.
Buy and final prices are shown in the asset's local currency (US & crypto $, Japan ¥, Korea ₩). Total invested and final value are in Korean won (₩).
Risk & recovery
As important as returns. This service does not hide maximum drawdown or loss periods.
Maximum drawdown (MDD)
-34.5%
Largest drop from peak
Longest loss period
0months
Months in loss: 0
Recovery period
33months
Growth over time
Invested principal (dashed) and portfolio value (solid). Values below match the calculation.
Total invested $7,407 → Final value $56,162 (+658.2%), Maximum drawdown (MDD) -34.5%
Why this period and asset
March 19, 2020 was the day COVID pandemic fear peaked and the KOSPI crashed intraday to around 1,439, later confirmed as the bottom of the COVID crash. At the time, fear that 'the economy would stop' swung the index several percent a day, and sell-side circuit breakers were triggered. But massive stimulus and liquidity from governments worldwide sparked a faster-than-expected rebound.
Interpreting the result
In hindsight, the scariest moment was a good buying point — but that is a story visible only after the fact. The final return below can be high, yet at the time no one knew that day was the bottom, and most people couldn't buy amid the fear. KODEX 200 is an index ETF holding Korea's 200 leading stocks, not a single name, so even if one company collapses you can ride the market's recovery. Note the figures are in KRW, and picking this one day is itself a hindsight choice.
Caveats & limits
Buying the bottom is knowable only after the fact. This page does not mean 'just buy the crash'; it shows how hard it actually is to buy in the middle of a crash. KODEX 200 is a Korean index ETF quoted in KRW and carries less survivorship bias than a single stock. Figures use adjusted close and exclude trading fees and taxes; always review the maximum drawdown and loss periods. This is past data only and does not guarantee the future.
Event fact sources
- Korea Exchange (KRX) — KOSPI daily index (2020-03-19)
- Yonhap News, KOSPI 1,439 COVID crash coverage (2020-03)
Requested date vs actual trading date
If the event date is a holiday, the fill uses the next trading day's close. The 'effective trading date' below is the date actually used.
Data sources & limits
- Price data source: Yahoo Finance / FinanceDataReader
- Collected on: 2026-07-28
- Effective trading date: 2026-07-01
- Price basis: Adjusted close (reflects dividends and stock splits)
- Trading fees and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax.
- Based on historical data; does not guarantee future returns.
Frequently asked questions
Was that really the COVID bottom?
Yes. On March 19, 2020, the KOSPI crashed intraday to around 1,439, then rebounded on stimulus and liquidity, later confirmed as the bottom of the COVID crash. At the time no one knew it was the bottom.
So can't I just buy when it crashes?
Easy to say, very hard to do. That day, fear that 'the economy would stop' peaked, and most couldn't buy because it looked set to fall further. Because a bottom is only visible in hindsight, investing gradually each month is more realistic than chasing a crash.
What does KODEX 200 hold?
An index ETF holding Korea's 200 leading stocks by market-cap weight. It doesn't bet on one name, so even if a company collapses it follows the whole market — the benefit of index investing over single stocks.
Are exchange rates reflected?
KODEX 200 is a Korea-listed ETF traded in KRW, so there is no FX effect. Trading fees and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax. This page only shows historical data and recommends no product.
Related scenarios
📋 Results are based on historical data; past returns do not guarantee future returns.
📋 This service is provided for educational purposes to help you understand investing, not as investment advice.