Despite strength in U.S. stocks, KOSPI little changed; KOSDAQ down in the 1% range [fn Morning Market]

[Financial News] U.S. stocks rose as the climb in long-term interest rates eased and expectations for growth in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry lifted sentiment, but the KOSPI remains little changed. Shares of major semiconductor companies are mixed as investors wait for Samsung Electronics to release preliminary earnings.
According to the Korea Exchange, as of 10 a.m. on the 7th, the KOSPI was trading at 6,936.31, down 5.08 points (0.07%) from the previous trading day.
On the main board, individual investors were net buyers of 831.2 billion won. Foreign investors and institutions were net sellers of 786.3 billion won and 215 billion won, respectively.
By sector, medical and precision instruments (up 5.27%), entertainment and culture (up 2.77%), and food, beverages and tobacco (up 0.86%) were among the gainers, while metals (down 2.50%), transportation equipment and parts (down 1.83%), and securities (down 1.09%) were among the decliners.
Among the stocks with the largest market capitalizations, SK Square (up 0.95%), KB Financial Group (up 0.98%), and Samsung C&T (up 0.88%) were rising, while HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (down 3.27%), Hanwha Aerospace (down 2.54%), and Hyundai Motor (down 2.01%) were falling.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ stood at 909.14, down 10.78 points (1.17%) from the previous trading day. Individual investors were net buyers of 283.1 billion won, while foreign investors and institutions were net sellers of 222.2 billion won and 45.3 billion won, respectively.
On Wall Street, major indexes rose as the sharp rise in 10-year Treasury yields eased and expectations for growth among AI-related companies continued. The easing of concerns over U.S. interest rates and European bond markets was seen as positive for the domestic stock market. However, caution among investors waiting for Samsung Electronics' preliminary earnings and concerns about the market closure later in the week were expected to limit the market's upside.
Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said, “The market’s upside will be limited as wait-and-see sentiment ahead of Samsung Electronics’ preliminary earnings coincides with caution over the market closure later in the week,” and added, “Sector rotation could emerge during the trading session.” 

[email protected] Bae Han-geul Reporter