[Edaily Reporter PARK MIN ] The KOSPI, which had suffered intraday declines of over 10% for two consecutive days, closed on the 30th amid extreme volatility. Backed by rebound buying following the excessive sell-off and strong earnings from SamsungElectronics(005930), the market’s largest company by market capitalization, the KOSPI attempted to recover the “6,000 mark” with a rebound in the 5% range but ultimately closed lower, pushed down by selling pressure from retail investors.

According to MP Doctor, as of 3:30 p.m. that day, the

closed at 5,593.56, down 69.68 points (1.23%) from the previous trading day. Although it rose as high as 5,976.82 at one point during the session, the market exhibited extreme volatility, with the decline widening due to selling pressure on semiconductor stocks, pushing the index down to as low as 5,547.41.

In terms of market participants, retail investors continued their selling trend for the second consecutive day, recording net sales of 1.4199 trillion won. Foreign investors broke their four-trading-day selling streak that had continued through the previous day, purchasing 1.3299 trillion won worth of stocks, while institutions also made net purchases of 66.6 billion won; however, these efforts were not enough to prevent the index from falling.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ closed at 644.78, down 17.90 points (2.70%) from the previous trading day. Although it rose as high as 677.19 early in the session, it subsequently extended its losses, falling to as low as 642.95 during the session. Foreign investors were net buyers of 248.5 billion won, while institutions were net sellers of 143.7 billion won and retail investors were net sellers of 110.5 billion won.

On this day, SamsungElectronics(005930)reaffirmed its “record earnings for the third consecutive quarter” and “shareholder return policy” through the announcement of its finalized second-quarter earnings and a conference call, causing its stock price to rise as much as 8.39% (226,000 won) at the time. However, pressured by downward momentum, the stock fluctuated before closing the regular session down 0.72% at 207,000 won.

SK hynix(000660)Do also rose as much as 4.14% (1,459,000 won) earlier in the day before turning lower, closing the regular session down 5.64% at 1,322,000 won. SKSQUARE(402340)(-6.00%), SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)(-14.58%), HyundaiMotor(005380)(-0.71%), and Samsung Life Insurance(032830)(-0.56%) also posted losses.

In contrast to semiconductor stocks, secondary battery stocks showed a notable uptrend. LG Energy Solution, which announced strong earnings and a return to profitability that day, surged 6.49% to close at 320,000 won; ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520)rose 4.75% to 70,600 won; and ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540)climbed 4.21% to 96,500 won, joining the rally in secondary battery stocks.

Alteogen Inc.(196170)closed down 1.06% at 279,500 won, while Rainbow Robotics(277810)(-9.14%), JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930)(-15.33%), LEENO Industrial Inc(058470)(-5.15%), HLB INC.(028300)(-4.16%), WONIK IPS Co.,Ltd.(240810)(-8.29%), PharmaResearch(214450)(-11.00%), ABL Bio Inc.(298380)(-3.95%), among others, also fell across the board.

By sector, the shipbuilding sector rose 5.00% as it drew market attention amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, while defensive sectors such as property and casualty insurance (4.70%), trading and distribution companies (4.66%), and gaming and entertainment (3.96%) also performed strongly.

In contrast, the electronic equipment and devices sector recorded the largest decline, plummeting 11.32% in the wake of losses by the top two semiconductor companies, “Samsung Electronics” and “SK Hynix,” while the electronic equipment sector (-5.38%) also showed weakness.

Overnight on the New York Stock Exchange, although the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50–3.75% per annum, all three major indices—the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq—closed lower amid growing concerns that the Fed’s response to inflation could be delayed. This is interpreted as a result of investor sentiment cooling off due to a combination of concerns over excessive global investment in artificial intelligence (AI), China’s rise in the semiconductor sector, fears of a resurgence of U.S. inflation, and the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) belated response.

Han Ji-young, an analyst at KIWOOM Securities, said, “It is important to note that while negative narratives surrounding semiconductors—the current market leaders—are currently taking shape (such as profit peaking and the end of the AI investment cycle), there is no sign yet that fundamentals are being eroded, such as a significant decline in earnings estimates.”