The KOSPI surrendered the 7,000 mark as foreign investors net-sold over 1.7 trillion won. While large-cap semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix declined, the KOSDAQ index rebounded, gaining nearly 3% to recover the 900 mark, driven by strength in secondary batteries, biotech, and semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment (SABRE) stocks.

On the 6th, the KOSPI closed down 62.35 points (0.89%) at 6,941.39 compared to the previous trading day. After opening higher, the index fluctuated throughout the session before turning downward. At 1:17 PM, it dipped as low as 6,923.24, but later managed to narrow some of its losses.

Foreigners pulled the index down by net-selling 1.752 trillion won. Although individuals net-bought 742 billion won and other corporations net-bought 1.012 trillion won, it was not enough to absorb the heavy selling pressure from foreigners. Institutions net-sold 2 billion won.

By sector, medical and precision equipment (6.53%), chemicals (1.59%), machinery and equipment (0.82%), electricity and gas (0.60%), and textiles and apparel (0.30%) showed strength. Meanwhile, transportation equipment and parts (-1.43%), electrical and electronics (-1.31%), pharmaceuticals (-1.09%), paper and wood (-0.60%), and distribution (-0.55%) experienced weak performance. By market capitalization, medium-sized stocks rose 0.87%, whereas large-cap stocks fell 1.03%.

Among top market-cap stocks, SK Square (0.09%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (5.95%), LG Energy Solution (5.12%), Hyundai Motor (0.43%), Doosan Enerbility (0.49%), Samsung SDI (8.70%), and SK (0.34%) advanced.

Conversely, Samsung Electronics (-1.45%), SK Hynix (-3.69%), Samsung Electronics Preferred (-1.39%), Samsung Biologics (-3.25%), KB Financial Group (-0.30%), Samsung Life Insurance (-1.38%), Samsung C&T (-1.16%), Hanwha Aerospace (-4.57%), Shinhan Financial Group (-1.15%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-1.29%), Kia (-0.27%), and Celltrion (-0.11%) declined.

Despite the weakness in large-cap semiconductor stocks, buying sentiment flowed into issues with individual favorable news. Samsung Electro-Mechanics gained strength on news of signing a multi-billion-won supply contract for multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) for AI servers. Samsung SDI jumped over 8% following news of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with EcoPro BM for the joint development of core materials for all-solid-state batteries.

The KOSDAQ index closed up 26.63 points (2.98%) at 919.90 compared to the previous trading day. After reclaiming the 900 mark in the morning, it expanded its gains in the afternoon.

Foreigners and institutions led the upward trend by net-buying 123 billion won and 106 billion won, respectively. Individual investors net-sold 212 billion won. Market liquidity diverged as foreigners engaged in massive selling in the KOSPI market while maintaining a buying advantage alongside institutions in the KOSDAQ market.

Among top market-cap stocks on the KOSDAQ, Alteogen (0.19%), EcoPro (7.31%), Jusung Engineering (17.51%), EcoPro BM (11.41%), Rainbow Robotics (3.67%), Wonik IPS (2.24%), Simtech (4.67%), EO Technics (2.26%), Leeno Industrial (3.08%), HLB (17.18%), HPSP (5.04%), Samchundang Pharm (16.43%), Robotis (1.45%), PSK (1.32%), Fadu (0.23%), Eugene Technology (1.87%), and Hana Micron (2.52%) posted gains. ISC (-0.24%) declined.

EcoPro BM recorded double-digit growth driven by news of its joint development of all-solid-state battery materials with Samsung SDI. HLB surged on expectations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) re-application approval for its liver cancer drug, while Samchundang Pharm rose over 16%, bolstering the strength of biotech stocks.

Lim Jung-eun, a researcher at KB Securities, diagnosed, "Upward pressure on long-term interest rates and high-interest-rate burdens are continuing due to instability in the European bond market driven by France's fiscal uncertainty." She added, "Samsung Electronics' preliminary earnings announcement on the 8th is expected to serve as a major variable determining AI and semiconductor momentum as well as the future direction of the index."

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