[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyung-il ] The KOSPI closed higher, holding above the 6,300 mark, buoyed by a rebound in SamsungElectronics(005930). The KOSDAQ, which had risen as much as 2% early in the session, gave up most of its gains and ended the day slightly higher. Improved investor sentiment driven by strong semiconductor exports, coupled with net buying of the KOSPI by foreign and institutional investors, lifted the index. In contrast, the KOSDAQ saw profit-taking, particularly in the biotech and secondary battery sectors, which had surged the previous day.

According to MP Doctor on the 11th, the KOSPI closed at 6,345.53, up 45.87 points (0.73%) from the previous trading day. There were 563 gainers (including 4 that hit the daily upper price limit), 309 losers, and 38 stocks that remained unchanged. The KOSDAQ closed at 857.84, up 3.37 points (0.39%). There were 1,097 gainers (including 8 that hit the daily upper limit), 547 losers, and 76 stocks that remained unchanged.

On the KOSPI, foreign investors and institutions were net buyers of 44.5 billion won and 30.7 billion won, respectively. Retail investors were net sellers of 71.1 billion won. In contrast, on the KOSDAQ, retail investors were net buyers of 435.2 billion won, while foreign investors and institutions were net sellers of 358.1 billion won and 96.7 billion won, respectively.

SamsungElectronics was at the center of the KOSPI’s rise that day. SamsungElectronics(005930)rose 4.13% from the previous trading day, and SamsungElectronics(1P)(005935)also climbed 4.76%. SK hynix(000660)(0.35%) also rose, reflecting strength in large-cap semiconductor stocks. SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940)(2.54%) and Samsung Life Insurance(032830)(3.21%) also rose. In contrast, LG Energy Solution(373220)(-3.54%), KB Financial Group(105560)(-2.97%), and HyundaiMotor(005380)(-1.23%) fell.

Large-cap stocks on the KOSPI rose 0.78%, while small-cap stocks gained 0.82%. Mid-cap stocks edged up 0.02%, remaining largely unchanged. By sector, pharmaceuticals rose 3.02%, posting the largest gain, while IT services (2.73%), insurance (2.47%), medical and precision equipment (2.26%), real estate (1.85%), and electrical and electronics (1.62%) also showed strength. In contrast, transportation equipment and parts (-3.97%), metals (-2.67%), and food, beverages, and tobacco (-2.41%) were weak.

Strong semiconductor exports also contributed to improved investor sentiment. Total exports from August 1–10 amounted to $21.3 billion, a 45.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Semiconductor exports reached $10 billion, up 155.4% over the same period. Both categories recorded their highest-ever figures for the August 1–10 period.

The KOSDAQ index showed a strong upward trend early in the session but pared its gains. Among the top-market-cap stocks, Alteogen Inc.(196170)(-5.89%), ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520)(-3.42%), ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540)(-4.36%), Rainbow Robotics(277810)(-1.84%), and ABL Bio Inc.(298380)(-4.80%) all fell. This was due to profit-taking selling, particularly in the biotech and secondary battery sectors, which had surged the previous day.

In contrast, semiconductor materials and components continued to perform strongly. JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930)surged 12.15%, and WONIK IPS Co.,Ltd.(240810)also rose 6.40%. HLB INC.(028300)(3.07%), LEENO Industrial Inc(058470)(1.12%), and EO Technics Co., Ltd.(039030)(3.22%) also rose. By sector, machinery and equipment led the gains with a 2.28% increase, followed by retail (2.12%), transportation and warehousing (1.77%), chemicals (1.64%), construction (1.53%), and IT services (1.49%).

Lim Jeong-eun, an analyst at KB Securities, noted, “Although the KOSDAQ rose by over 2% early in the session, it gave back some of its gains as market sentiment shifted toward SamsungElectronics, which surged by over 4%.” She added, “The KOSPI rose slightly amid net buying by both foreign and institutional investors.”