On July 1, the KOSPI index closed down 173.07 points, or 2.04%, at 8,303.41, influenced by a sharp decline in major semiconductor stocks and net selling by foreign investors. The index opened at 8,591.50, up 115.02 points (1.36%), but fluctuated significantly, reaching a high of 8,620.15 before dropping to a low of 8,143.33 during the session.
Among investors, individuals purchased a net 1.7393 trillion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 1.7029 trillion won and 70.2 billion won, respectively.
Most large-cap stocks fell, with Samsung Electronics dropping 5.84% and SK Hynix declining 3.40%, leading the index's decline. Other notable losers included Samsung C&T (-7.36%), LG Energy Solution (-3.87%), Samsung Life (-3.49%), Hyundai Motor (-1.52%), and Samsung Electronics preferred shares (-3.54%). Conversely, SK Square (3.54%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (3.89%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (0.96%), and Samsung Biologics (0.36%) closed higher.
The KOSDAQ index ended the day at 929.35, up 13.17 points (1.44%). Although it showed weakness early in the session, it rebounded to a high of 955.45.
In terms of trading, foreign investors bought a net 247 billion won, while individuals and institutions sold a net 108.8 billion won and 125 billion won, respectively.
The KOSDAQ's large-cap stocks exhibited mixed performance. JUSUNG Engineering surged 20.40%, and PSK rose 7.85%, leading gains in semiconductor equipment stocks. However, EcoPro (-12.76%), EcoPro BM (-6.88%), HLB (-3.46%), Rino Industry (-2.74%), Wonik IPS (-1.49%), Alteogen (-0.83%), and Kolon TissueGene (-0.64%) all fell, while Rainbow Robotics closed unchanged.
Analysts noted that while major semiconductor stocks took a breather, a strong export momentum in June led to differentiated performance across sectors. Lim Jeong-eun, a researcher at KB Securities, stated, "Monthly exports surpassed $100 billion for the first time, with semiconductor exports reaching $44.82 billion, marking the first time they exceeded $40 billion, sustaining positive momentum in the materials, components, and equipment sectors."
She added, "Cosmetics exports hit a record high of $13.4 billion, positively impacting stock prices, while expectations for government mega-project benefits continued to bolster the power equipment and construction sectors."
Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the weekly closing rate for the won against the dollar rose by 5.5 won to close at 1,554.9 won.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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