[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyung-il ] The KOSPI is continuing its upward trend, breaking through the 7,000 mark early in the session. Major semiconductor stocks are leading the rally, with SamsungElectronics(005930)surpassing 270,000 won and SK hynix(000660)breaking through 1.6 million won. Expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged in September have grown after the U.S. July Producer Price Index (PPI) came in below market expectations. Additionally, the strong performance of memory stocks such as SanDisk and Micron appears to be boosting investor sentiment toward domestic semiconductor stocks.

As of 9:20 a.m. on the 14th, the KOSPI stands at 6,935.84, up 122.50 points (1.80%) from the previous trading day. The index rose to 7,010.86 at the opening, breaking through the 7,000 mark, but has since given back some of its gains and is fluctuating in the mid-to-high 6,900 range.

SK hynix rose 5.08% to surpass the 1.6 million won mark, and SamsungElectronics also rose 1.12% to trade above the 270,000 won mark. SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)is up 3.13%, SKSQUARE(402340)is up 1.79%, Samsung Life Insurance(032830)is up 3.77%, and HyundaiMotor(005380)is also up 5.62%. In contrast, SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940)is down 0.45%.

Foreign investors are leading the buying trend with net purchases of 464.3 billion won on the KOSPI. Retail investors are net sellers of 193.7 billion won, while institutional investors are net sellers of 252.0 billion won.

The rally is particularly pronounced among large-cap stocks. KOSPI large-caps rose 2.29%, while mid-caps and small-caps rose only 0.80% and 0.70%, respectively. However, with 600 stocks rising compared to 229 falling, the upward trend appears to be spreading across the broader market. By sector, telecommunications is up 3.76%, recording the highest gain, while insurance (3.59%), transportation equipment and parts (3.04%), electrical and electronics (2.46%), and manufacturing (2.33%) are also showing strength.

The strength of U.S. semiconductor stocks is also influencing the domestic stock market. On the 13th (local time), the New York Stock Exchange saw expectations for a September interest rate freeze resurface as the July PPI came in below market expectations, and memory stocks continued their upward trend. SanDisk surged by over 13% after announcing plans to secure supply through long-term contracts and a policy to return 100% of free cash flow (FCF) to shareholders, while Micron also rose by over 4%.

Kang Jin-hyuk, an analyst at Shinhan Investment Securities, commented on the U.S. stock market that day, stating, “With both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the PPI showing better-than-expected results, expectations for a pause in the benchmark interest rate in September have grown again, leading to a rally centered on memory stocks.” Regarding the domestic stock market, he added, “The upward trend is continuing as investor sentiment toward AI hardware improves.”

Han Ji-young, an analyst at KIWOOM Securities, assessed, “With upward pressure on oil prices remaining limited, SanDisk’s medium- to long-term growth outlook and shareholder return plans are alleviating negative investor sentiment toward semiconductor stocks.” Regarding the domestic stock market, she predicted, “Given the recent shift to net buying by foreign investors and the rotation of capital across sectors, the market is expected to continue on a recovery path—raising its lows—in the medium term, even if short-term profit-taking occurs.”

The KOSDAQ is also continuing its upward trend. At the same time, the KOSDAQ index stood at 867.45, up 6.08 points (0.71%). There were 970 gainers, outnumbering the 618 decliners. Retail investors are net sellers by 8.8 billion won, while foreign investors are net buyers by 11.9 billion won, and institutional investors are net sellers by 4.0 billion won.

Most sectors on the KOSDAQ are showing strength, with retail up 2.1%, transportation equipment and parts up 2%, and entertainment and culture up 1.51%. Among individual stocks, EO Technics Co., Ltd.(039030)is up 6.47%, while HLB INC.(028300) is up 2.69%, ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540) is up 2.1%, and Rainbow Robotics(277810) is up 2.01%. In contrast, WONIK IPS Co.,Ltd.(240810)is down 2.5%.