[Edaily Reporter Park Sun-Yeop ] The KOSPI rebounded sharply by more than 6%, regaining the 7,000-point mark for the first time in three trading days. This was driven by easing concerns over further monetary tightening after the U.S. June Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in below market expectations, as well as a resurgence in foreign buying, particularly in semiconductor stocks that had recently plummeted. Early in the session, buy-side circuit breakers were triggered simultaneously in both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets.
According to MP Doctor on the 15th, the KOSPI closed at 7,284.41, up 427.58 points (6.24%) from the previous trading day. This marks a return to the 7,000 level for the first time in three trading days based on the closing price. The index rose sharply immediately after the opening, reaching as high as 7,424.18 at one point during the session, but gave up some of its gains in the afternoon as profit-taking set in.
In terms of market participants, foreign investors and institutions led the index higher with net purchases of 2.3227 trillion won and 182.7 billion won, respectively. In contrast, retail investors made net sales of 2.4680 trillion won. Program trading, combining arbitrage and non-arbitrage trades, showed a net buying position of 1.6696 trillion won.

As the index surged sharply early in the session, market safeguards were triggered. At 9:06:41 a.m. that day, the Korea Exchange activated a “buy-side sidecar” on the Stock Market, suspending the effectiveness of program buy orders for five minutes. At that time, the KOSPI 200 futures price stood at 1,170.60, up 71.50 points (6.50%) from the benchmark price.
What revived investor sentiment was the slowdown in U.S. inflation. The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) and core CPI for June, released the previous day, rose 3.5% and 2.6%, respectively, year-over-year, both falling short of market expectations of 3.8% and 2.8%. This was attributed to the stabilization of prices across transportation, lodging, and goods in general, amid falling international oil prices following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran to end hostilities.
Lee Kyung-min, an analyst at DaishinSecurities, explained, “Although Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller had previously mentioned that the Fed might consider further tightening if core inflation remained high, concerns over tightening have subsided as inflation data came in softer than expected,” adding, “Risk appetite has also recovered rapidly.”
The rebound in semiconductor stocks on the U.S. stock market also bolstered domestic investor sentiment. In particular, SK hynix American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) surged by more than 27%, stimulating bargain-hunting in domestic semiconductor stocks.
ASML’s second-quarter earnings, released that afternoon, also raised expectations for the semiconductor industry. ASML reported revenue of 9.33 billion euros and a gross margin of 54.0%, exceeding market expectations, and raised its annual revenue forecast from the previous range of 36 to 40 billion euros to 43 to 45 billion euros. Analysts also noted that increased investment in artificial intelligence (AI) is driving demand for memory semiconductors.
The analyst said, “Most sectors rose, driven by net buying by foreign investors, and stocks that had recently experienced sharp declines showed a notable rebound,” adding, “However, profit-taking emerged following ASML’s earnings announcement, causing the index to retreat slightly from its intraday high.”
By market capitalization, large-cap stocks led the rebound with a 6.53% gain. Mid-cap and small-cap stocks also rose by 2.74% and 2.06%, respectively.
By sector, machinery and equipment posted the largest gain, rising 8.76%. Healthcare and precision instruments, as well as electrical and electronics, also rose 7.45% and 7.42%, respectively. In contrast, entertainment and culture, and non-metals fell 1.29% and 0.27%, respectively.
Top-market-cap stocks generally performed strongly. SamsungElectronics(005930)closed at 279,500 won, up 16,500 won (6.27%) from the previous trading day. SK hynix(000660)closed at 2,082,000 won, up 169,000 won (8.83%).
SKSQUARE(402340) SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)(16.13%) and (12.14%) also posted double-digit gains. (6.47%), (4.04%), (2.24%), and (0.89%) also rose. surged 29.88% following the announcement of strong earnings. Samsung Life Insurance(032830) LG Energy Solution(373220) HyundaiMotor(005380) KB Financial Group(105560) HANMISemiconductorCO.,Ltd.(042700)
Trading volume on the KOSPI market that day totaled 392.7 million shares, with a total trading value of 33.9541 trillion won. Including seven stocks that hit their daily upper price limit, 711 stocks rose and 169 fell. Thirty-two stocks closed unchanged, and no stocks hit their daily lower price limit.
The KOSDAQ index also recovered the 800-point level for the first time in three trading days. The KOSDAQ index closed at 829.43, up 45.45 points (5.80%) from the previous trading day.
In the KOSDAQ market, foreign investors and institutions made net purchases of 23.1 billion won and 108.5 billion won, respectively. Retail investors made net sales of 140.7 billion won. Program trading, combining arbitrage and non-arbitrage trades, recorded a net buying position of 48.3 billion won.
A buy-side sidecar was also triggered in the KOSDAQ market at 9:17:14 a.m. that day. At the time of activation, the KOSDAQ 150 futures price stood at 1,439.50, up 83.00 points (6.11%) from the previous trading day’s close, while the KOSDAQ 150 spot index rose 79.44 points (5.86%) to 1,433.80.