Leading companies listed on the tech-heavy KOSDAQ market have performed poorly in the past 12 months compared with other listed firms, the main bourse operator said Tuesday.

For the year ended May 2, the 28 companies designated as "Rising Stars" last year by the Korea Exchange (KRX) for their advanced technologies and growth potential in global markets suffered a decline of 1.89 percent in their stock prices, the KRX said in a statement. 

The poor performances contrasted with a 0.18 percent gain in the KOSDAQ index during the cited period, it said.

The KRX has selected small but strong KOSDAQ firms that advanced to the top three spots of their mainstay industries based on their global market share since 2009 as Rising Stars, formerly called "Hidden Champions." (Yonhap)