[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyung-il ] The KOSPI broke through the 7,100 mark intraday but gave up its gains in the afternoon, slipping back to the 6,950 level. Following the previous day’s trend, semiconductor stocks remained strong, driving an intraday rally; however, the index failed to settle above the 7,000 mark as profit-taking selling pressure emerged.

On the 8th, the KOSPI closed at 6,954.52, down 40.87 points (0.58%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 7,045.79 and rose as high as 7,171.52 during the session, breaking above the 7,100 mark. However, momentum slowed in the afternoon, and the index eventually fell below the 7,000 level. The KOSDAQ also closed at 811.88, down 10.31 points (1.25%).

Major semiconductor stocks also showed strength during the session but gave up most of their gains. SamsungElectronics(005930)rose as high as 276,500 won during the session, up 2.41%, but slipped to 269,500 won, closing down 0.19%. SK hynix(000660) also rose as high as 1,872,000 won during the session, a 4.99% gain, but fell back to 1,793,000 won, ending the day up just 0.56%.

Nuclear power-related stocks also showed strength during the session on expectations of expanded South Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation. Buying interest flowed into construction and power-related stocks, but the upward trend did not spread across the broader market. On the KOSPI that day, 231 stocks rose, while 634 fell. On the KOSDAQ, 506 stocks rose, but 1,141 fell. Although the index briefly surpassed the 7,100 mark during the session, most individual stocks saw declines.

In terms of supply and demand, foreign investors and institutions recorded net purchases of 583.3 billion won and 802.4 billion won, respectively. The combined net purchases by these two groups totaled 1.3857 trillion won. In contrast, retail investors recorded net sales of 3.1086 trillion won. Foreign investors and institutions continued to make net purchases together on the KOSPI for the fourth consecutive trading day.

With the KOSPI slipping back to the 6,950 level after briefly surpassing the 7,100 mark during the session, market observers suggest that the 7,000 level is likely to act as a major resistance level for the time being. Ko Tae-bong, head of the Research Center at iM Securities, said, “I don’t view this as a reversal at the 7,100 level on the KOSPI,” adding, “The 7,000 level itself was a zone of resistance that couldn’t be broken through in one go, and it was a price range where some selling pressure was inevitable.”

He continued, “The most important question in the market right now is whether the AI cycle will stall or continue,” adding, “Fundamentals are quite strong. In particular, the market is gradually gaining confidence in the sustainability of AI and semiconductors.”

Regarding the nature of foreign capital, he said, “The funds currently flowing in are driven by exchange rate advantages stemming from the strong won and confidence in the fundamentals of AI and semiconductors,” adding, “This should be viewed as an inflow of new capital rather than a return of funds that had previously entered the market.”

He identified the 7,200–7,500 range as a future resistance level. Director Ko explained, “There is a very thick supply zone around the 7,200 to 7,500 mark,” adding, “A resistance level refers to a range where a battle unfolds—prices rise and fall until that supply is absorbed.”

Regarding the semiconductor sector, he said, “It doesn’t seem likely that semiconductors will decline this easily,” adding, “Demand in the physical AI sector is exceptionally strong.” He continued, “Right now, it’s less a case of semiconductors losing momentum and more a situation where the stock market is running out of steam first,” and diagnosed the situation as “a process of redefining the upward slope rather than a change in the trend itself.”