[Edaily Reporter KIM YOON-JEONG ] The KOSPI rebounded by more than 3% in early trading on the 24th, reaching the 8,400 level. Although the New York stock market closed lower last night in the wake of a sharp decline in artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor stocks, the KOSPI appears to be rebounding as bargain-hunting flows in following its nearly 10% plunge the previous day. The market’s reaction to the announcement early this morning that South Korea failed to re-enter the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Developed Markets Index watchlist is also seen as having a limited impact.

According to MP Doctor, as of 9:13 a.m. that day, the KOSPI index stood at 8,496.03, up 292.19 points (3.56%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 8,356.79 and extended its gains, climbing as high as 8,525.00 during the session.
By investor type, based on combined data from the Korea Exchange and Nextrade (NXT), retail investors led the index’s rebound with net purchases of 5016억 won, while institutional investors made net purchases of 3억 won. Meanwhile, retail investors are currently net sellers of 5702억 won.
By sector, electrical and electronics (5.31%), retail (4.79%), manufacturing (4.04%), and electricity and gas (3.75%) are showing strength. In contrast, food, beverages, and tobacco (-1.72%), real estate (-1.56%), and telecommunications (-1.22%) are weak.
Overnight, the New York stock market fell across the board as selling pressure intensified, particularly in AI semiconductor stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.09%, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.44% and 2.22%, respectively. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) plummeted 7.6%.
Among individual stocks, Micron plunged 13.2%, and major semiconductor stocks such as AMD (-6.0%), Qualcomm (-8.0%), Intel (-6.1%), and NVIDIA (-3.6%) also fell across the board. The market attributes this to renewed concerns over capital expenditure (CAPEX) burdens and profitability stemming from expanded investment in AI infrastructure.
However, the domestic stock market is rebounding as buyback momentum flows in following the previous day’s sharp decline. Although South Korea’s inclusion in the MSCI Developed Markets Index watchlist fell through early this morning, analysts note that the outcome was in line with market expectations.
Han Ji-young, an analyst at KIWOOM Securities, said, “The domestic stock market is expected to start the day with a rebound—driven by technical buying and value-seeking buying following yesterday’s sharp decline, amid the perception that the market has already priced in the sharp drop in U.S. semiconductor stocks—and is likely to recover the losses from yesterday.”
She added, “The news that South Korea failed to be included in the MSCI Developed Markets Index watchlist is also likely to have a limited impact on the market today,” explaining, “This is because during last week’s annual market accessibility review, South Korea received negative evaluations in five categories—including foreign exchange market liberalization and the English-language disclosure system—and the scenario of non-inclusion had already become the market’s baseline expectation.”
Among the top-market-cap stocks, SK hynix(000660)is trading at 2,664,000 won (up 4.27%), continuing its strong performance. SamsungElectronics(005930)is also surging to 333,500 won (up 7.58%).
In addition, SamsungElectronics(1P)(005935)(5.19%), SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)(3.77%), Samsung Life Insurance(032830)(3.18%), SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION(028260)(9.34%), and HD HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES(329180)(0.68%) are all showing gains. On the other hand, LG Energy Solution(373220)(-0.69%) and SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940)(-1.02%) are trading lower.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ index stands at 900.00, up 8.48 points (0.95%) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ index opened at 905.13, up 13.61 points (1.53%) from the previous close.
By investor type, retail investors are net buyers of 32.3 billion won worth of shares, while institutional investors are net buyers of 58.7 billion won worth. Foreign investors are net sellers of 90.3 billion won worth of shares.
Alteogen Inc.(196170), the company with the largest market capitalization on the KOSDAQ market, is trading at 335,000 won (up 0.60%), while ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540)is trading at 149,700 won (down 0.80%).
In addition, ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520)(0.97%), Rainbow Robotics(277810)(4.37%), Kolon TissueGene, Inc.(950160)(1.05%), WONIK IPS Co.,Ltd.(240810)(1.33%), HLB INC.(028300)(3.58%), LEENO Industrial Inc(058470)(2.00%), and EO Technics Co., Ltd.(039030)(3.04%) are all rising. On the other hand, JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930)(-0.27%) and SAM CHUN DANG PHARM CO. LTD(000250)(-1.34%) are on a downward trend.