[Edaily Reporter Kim Kyung-eun ] The KOSPI closed slightly lower after fluctuating throughout the session without finding a clear direction. While foreign and institutional investors both sold off shares worth around 1 trillion won each, retail investors defended the market with net purchases exceeding 2 trillion won, helping to keep the index above the 8,000 mark.

According to MP Doctor on the 6th, the KOSPI closed at 8,051.33, down 37.01 points (0.46%) from the previous trading day.

The index opened at 8,186.82, up 98.48 points (1.22%) from the previous close, and subsequently broke through the 8,200 and 8,300 levels in succession. At one point during the session, it rose as high as 8,237.26. However, it soon turned downward and fell as low as 7,815.53 during the session.

Although this week was dubbed a “super week” due to major events such as SamsungElectronics’ second-quarter earnings announcement and SK hynix’s listing of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), the mixed market sentiment is attributed to lingering concerns over an oversupply of artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors.

Lee Kyung-min, an analyst at DaishinSecurities, explained, “Recently, the semiconductor sector has exhibited volatile trading conditions as bargain-hunting flows in amid a contraction in investor sentiment caused by a series of negative factors.” He added, “While SamsungElectronics rose on earnings expectations ahead of its preliminary earnings announcement, other semiconductor stocks generally fell due to growing caution, resulting in a market where performance varied significantly by stock.”

By investor type, retail investors were net buyers of 2.6461 trillion won, while foreign and institutional investors were net sellers of 1.3105 trillion won and 1.4314 trillion won, respectively.

By sector, securities, entertainment and culture, insurance, transportation equipment and parts, and retail were strong. In contrast, medical and precision instruments, pharmaceuticals, finance, and electrical and electronics were weak.

The two stocks with the highest market capitalizations both rose early in the session but subsequently moved in opposite directions. SamsungElectronics(005930)closed at 318,000 won, up 8,500 won (2.75%) from the previous session. SK hynix(000660)closed at 2,343,000 won, down 82,000 won (3.38%) from the previous trading day.

Among other top-market-cap stocks, HyundaiMotor(005380)(2.03%), Samsung Life Insurance(032830)(2.74%), and SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION(028260)(3.69%) rose. Conversely, SKSQUARE(402340)(-5.92%), SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)(-8.09%), and LG Energy Solution(373220)(-2.21%) fell.

The KOSDAQ closed at 847.07, down 21.34 points (2.46%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 866.40, down 2.01 points (0.23%) from the previous close, and extended its losses during the session.

By investor type, retail investors were net buyers of 269.5 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors were net sellers of 44.7 billion won and 227.0 billion won, respectively.

The two stocks with the highest market capitalizations both posted losses. Alteogen Inc.(196170)closed at 330,000 won, down 11,500 won (3.37%) from the previous session, while ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540)closed at 121,000 won, down 3,400 won (2.73%).

Among other top-market-cap stocks, ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520)(-2.18%), Rainbow Robotics(277810)(-2.64%), JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930)(-5.66%), and Kolon TissueGene, Inc.(950160)(-2.21%) all fell. In contrast, HLB INC.(028300)(0.83%) and Peptron, Inc.(087010)(3.98%) rose.