KOSPI Stalls at the 8,200 Level on Weakness in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix... KOSDAQ Surges 7% [Afternoon Market Update]

[Financial News] KOSPI fell to the 8,200 level as large-cap semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix weakened under pressure from foreign selling. In contrast, KOSDAQ is up about 7% as secondary battery and biotech stocks among its top market-cap names show strength.
According to the Korea Exchange on the 29th, KOSPI was trading at 8,216.82 as of 2:02 p.m., down 194.39 points, or 2.31%, from the previous session. The index opened at 8,334.28, down 0.91% from the previous day, and at one point slipped to 8,127.99, or 3.37% lower, but trimmed its losses and remained around the 8,200 level.
On the main bourse, individual investors and institutions were net buyers of 4.9276 trillion won and 1.8401 trillion won, respectively, while foreign investors were net sellers of 7.0164 trillion won.
By sector, construction (9.29%), pharmaceuticals (7.55%), and leisure and culture (6.92%) were strong, while electricity and electronics (-4.43%), insurance (-4.23%), and retail (-3.56%) were weak.
Among the top market-cap stocks, LG Energy Solution (17.65%), Samsung SDI (9.12%), and Samsung Biologics (6.25%) were rising, while Samsung C&T Corporation (-7.08%), Samsung Electronics (-6.70%), and Samsung Life Insurance (-6.13%) were falling.
At the same time, KOSDAQ was trading at 908.63, up 57.26 points, or 6.73%, from the previous session. Foreign investors and institutions were net buyers of 67.4 billion won and 464.8 billion won, respectively, while individual investors were net sellers of 522.6 billion won.
Shinhan Investment Corp. researcher Kang Jin-hyuk said, "The rotation in the U.S. stock market, with semiconductors falling and non-semiconductor stocks rising, is continuing." He added, "Ahead of the public briefing session on the three major mega projects, which is set to begin at 2 p.m. today, caution has emerged as plans for semiconductor, AI DC, and physical AI investments are expected to be unveiled."

koreanbae@fnnews.com Bae Han-geul Reporter