[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyung-il ] The KOSPI is falling nearly 5% during the trading session as profit-taking selling emerges following last week’s record-breaking single-day gain of 17.9%. In contrast, the KOSDAQ has rebounded from early weakness to rise more than 3%, showing divergent trends between the two markets.

According to MP Doctor on the 3rd, the KOSPI opened at 6,358.27, down 237.18 points (3.60%) from the previous trading day, and as of 1:10 p.m., it is trading at 6,269.57, down 325.54 points (4.99%). Although the index briefly narrowed its losses to the 6,393 level during the session, selling pressure intensified, pushing it down to an intraday low of 6,231.66.

In contrast, the KOSDAQ opened at 709.99, down 9.76 points (1.36%) from the previous trading day, but turned positive as buying interest from retail and institutional investors flowed in. As of 1:10 p.m., it stands at 741.77, up 22.09 points (3.07%) from the previous trading day, having risen as high as 757.60 during the session.

By investor type, retail investors are net buyers of 3.4231 trillion won in the KOSPI market. In contrast, foreign and institutional investors are net sellers of 2.1588 trillion won and 1.3486 trillion won, respectively, leading the index lower. In the KOSDAQ market, institutions are net buyers of 147.7 billion won and retail investors of 40.3 billion won, while foreign investors are net sellers of 192.9 billion won.

Most of the top market-cap stocks are trading lower. SamsungElectronics(005930)is down 8%, and SK hynix(000660)is down 7.51%. SamsungElectronics(1P)(005935)(-5.39%), SKSQUARE(402340)(-3.08%), LG Energy Solution(373220)(-3.51%), SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940)(-3.84%), KB Financial Group(105560)(-0.59%), and Samsung Life Insurance(032830)(-9.95%) are also on the decline. In contrast, SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)is up 4.12% and HyundaiMotor(005380)is up 1.29%, showing strength.

Analysts in the securities industry suggest that the KOSPI, which posted its largest-ever weekly gain last week, is in the process of giving back some of its sharp gains due to profit-taking sentiment.
Kang Jin-hyuk, a senior researcher at Shinhan Investment Securities, noted, “While the KOSPI is undergoing a correction as profit-taking selling emerges, particularly in semiconductor stocks, despite easing geopolitical tensions, the KOSDAQ is maintaining a relatively steady trend, buoyed by inflows from retail investors and strength in the robotics and healthcare sectors.” He added, “Within the AI value chain, the power equipment sector is showing strength, while semiconductors and some secondary battery stocks are weakening due to profit-taking.”