[Edaily Reporter PARK MIN ] The KOSPI is trading slightly lower in early trading on the 1st. This is seen as a ripple effect on the domestic stock market following last night’s across-the-board decline in the New York stock market, driven by the resumption of military clashes between the U.S. and Iran and upward pressure on international oil prices.

According to MP Doctor, the KOSPI opened lower at 6,784.29, down 35.73 points (0.52%) from the previous trading day, and is currently trading at 6,767.80 as of 9:21 a.m. By investor type, foreign investors and institutions are leading the index lower with net sales of 109.4 billion won and 151.0 billion won, respectively. In contrast, retail investors made net purchases of 236.6 billion won. While 342 stocks rose, 457 fell, with decliners outnumbering gainers.

Most of the top market-cap stocks are down. The market leader, SamsungElectronics(005930), is trading at 255,250 won, down 1.83% from the previous trading day. SK hynix(000660)is also down 0.75% at 1,661,500 won, and major IT and semiconductor stocks—including SamsungElectronics(1P)(005935)(-0.13%), SKSQUARE(402340)(-1.83%), and SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)(-2.88%)—all fell across the board.

In addition, HyundaiMotor(005380)fell 0.87%, while KB Financial Group(105560)(-0.69%) and SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940)(-0.40%) also showed weakness. On the other hand, LG Energy Solution(373220)rose 0.53% to 380,000 won, and SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION(028260)also rose 0.27%, maintaining a slightly positive trend.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ was trading at 824.21, down 10.08 points (1.21%) from the previous trading day. By investor type, retail investors were net buyers of 123.1 billion won, while foreign investors and institutional investors were net sellers of 78.3 billion won and 43.1 billion won, respectively. With 560 stocks rising and 1,024 stocks falling, declining stocks held an overwhelming majority.

Most of the top-tier KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization are also in the red. Alteogen Inc.(196170), the top stock by market capitalization, is trading at 302,000 won, down 1.79% from the previous trading day, while leading secondary battery stocks ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540)(-1.66%) and ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520)(-1.20%) also showed weakness. Rainbow Robotics(277810), the leading robotics stock, also fell 1.41%.

The decline in semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment stocks was also notable. SIMMTECH Co., Ltd.(222800)fell 3.79%, recording the largest decline, while WONIK IPS Co.,Ltd.(240810)(-2.78%), EO Technics Co., Ltd.(039030)(-2.72%), JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930)(-2.43%), and LEENO Industrial Inc(058470)(-1.95%) all fell across the board. In contrast, HLB INC.(028300)rose 0.28%, remaining the only stock among the top 10 by market capitalization to close nearly flat.

Overnight, the New York stock market closed lower across the board amid renewed military tensions between the U.S. and Iran and upward pressure on international oil prices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 53,185.90, down 0.70% from the previous trading day. The S&P 500 index closed at 7,686.15, down 0.33%, and the Nasdaq Composite closed at 26,370.89, down 0.12%.

However, semiconductor stocks fared relatively well, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rising 0.57% to 11,535.05. NVIDIA closed up 1.48% at $220.78, while Microtechnology (+2.77%), SanDisk (+5.50%), and Qualcomm (+3.83%) also posted gains. SK hynix’s American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), listed on the U.S. stock market, closed up 2.20% at $164.58.

Han Ji-young, an analyst at KIWOOM Securities, said, “Although the domestic stock market will face downward pressure from rising U.S. long-term interest rates and oil prices, we expect a market trend that starts weak but ends strong, as the strength of the U.S. stock market—including U.S. semiconductor stocks such as Micron and SanDisk—and South Korea’s August export momentum will act as buffers.”