KOSPI Falls to 3190 Level on 'Item Tariff Concerns'[fn Morning Market]

[Financial News] KOSPI retreated to the 3190 level due to foreign selling pressure. It is interpreted that concerns over the sharp rise in the U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) and item tariffs on semiconductors by U.S. President Donald Trump have influenced the market.
According to the Korea Exchange on the 18th, as of 10:06 a.m. today, KOSPI is trading at 3194.11, down 31.03p (-0.98%) from the previous trading day. The index started at 3202.63, down 23.03p (-0.71%) from the previous trading day, but expanded its decline in the morning, dropping to 3182.77.
In the securities market, individuals and institutions are net buyers of 141.3 billion won and 21.4 billion won, respectively, while foreigners are net sellers of 163.8 billion won.
By sector, electricity/gas (2.59%), transportation/warehouse (2.34%), and real estate (0.26%) are strong, while electricity/electronics (-2.09%), finance (-1.70%), and securities (-1.50%) are weak.
Among the top market cap stocks, Hanwha Ocean (2.44%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (1.47%), and NAVER (0.45%) are rising, while KB Financial (-4.68%), SK Hynix (-2.71%), and Shinhan Financial Group (-2.32%) are declining.
At the same time, KOSDAQ is trading at 805.10, down 10.16p (-1.25%) from the previous trading day. Individuals bought 92.5 billion won, while foreigners and institutions sold 46 billion won and 34.9 billion won, respectively.
The decline in KOSPI seems to be influenced by U.S. President Trump's announcement of item tariffs on semiconductors. Previously, the Trump administration announced on the 15th (local time) that it would significantly expand the 50% tariff application range on steel and aluminum imports from the 18th.
In addition, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the PPI in July rose 0.9% from the previous month and 3.3% from the same month last year, marking the largest increase since June 2022, raising inflation concerns.
  

koreanbae@fnnews.com Bae Hangul Reporter