[E-Daily Reporter Shin Ha-yeon ] The KOSPI has extended its gains in the afternoon and is trading up more than 4%. Amid growing expectations for the semiconductor sector following OpenAI’s unveiling of a new artificial intelligence (AI) model, buying by both foreign and institutional investors is driving the index higher. The KOSDAQ has given back some of its intraday gains and is trading around the 820 level.

According to MP Doctor on the 7th, as of 1:50 p.m. today, the KOSPI is trading at 6,961.08, up 273.87 points (4.10%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 6,910.78, up 223.57 points (3.34%) from the previous day, and rose as high as 6,968.97 during the session. The intraday low was 6,867.91.

Last weekend, U.S. stock markets fell across the board as August job growth in the U.S. significantly exceeded market expectations, reigniting concerns over a potential interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve (Fed). However, expectations grew that demand for high-capacity memory would increase following OpenAI’s unveiling of its new AI model, “Astra.” Consequently, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 3.38%, and SK hynix American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) surged 8.14%.

In terms of supply and demand, foreign investors and institutions are currently net buyers on the stock market, with 1.5268 trillion won and 1.8795 trillion won, respectively. In contrast, retail investors are net sellers, offloading 4.6807 trillion won. Program trading, combining arbitrage and non-arbitrage trades, shows a net buying position of 2.1544 trillion won.

By sector, the electrical/electronics and machinery/equipment sectors are each showing gains in the 5% range, and most other sectors—including manufacturing, large-cap stocks, construction, finance, retail, insurance, IT services, general services, transportation/warehousing, transportation equipment/parts, medical/precision instruments, telecommunications, and securities—are also on the rise. In contrast, real estate, textiles/apparel, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and paper/wood are trading lower.

Among the top market-cap stocks, SamsungElectronics(005930)is trading at 268,250 won, up 12,750 won (4.99%) from the previous trading day. SK hynix(000660)is trading at 1,776,500 won, up 129,500 won (7.86%). In addition, SKSQUARE(402340)(7.40%), SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)(3.14%), LG Energy Solution(373220)(1.12%), HyundaiMotor(005380)(1.96%), SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940)(0.28%), and Samsung Life Insurance(032830)(4.71%) are all showing gains.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is trading at 821.88, up 8.38 points (1.03%) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ index, which opened at 822.91—up 1.16%—rose as high as 828.85 during the session but subsequently gave back some of its gains. The intraday low was 819.78.

In the KOSDAQ market, retail investors are net buyers of 133 billion won. In contrast, foreign and institutional investors are net sellers of 51 billion won and 92.1 billion won, respectively. Program trading shows a net selling volume of 93.3 billion won.

Among the top market-cap stocks, ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520)(0.36%), ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540)(0.57%), JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930)(4.66%), WONIK IPS Co.,Ltd.(240810)(1.83%), EO Technics Co., Ltd.(039030)(2.03%), and LEENO Industrial Inc(058470)(1.95%) are rising, while Alteogen Inc.(196170)(-1.56%), Rainbow Robotics(277810)(-1.63%), and ROBOTIS(108490)(-0.16%) are trading lower.