[Park Sujin's Money Watch] KOSPI Plunges After Breaking 8000: "Semiconduc...

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| News Watch = Reporter Park Su-Jin | Despite external and domestic risks such as the conflict in the Middle East, the KOSPI has continued to rise and fluctuate. Semiconductor and auto stocks led the gains. However, foreign selling triggered by concerns that the market had overheated after the recent sharp rally pushed the index back down to the 7400 level.

Amid this trend, Dongyang Express recorded the highest gain in the securities market over the past five trading days, rising 81.77%. Haeyang Shipping had the highest trading volume, while in the ETF market, Mirae Asset Management’s TIGER U.S. Space Tech showed strong performance.

According to the Korea Exchange on the 15th, the stock with the highest return in the KOSPI market from the 11th to the 15th was Dongyang Express, which rose 81.77%. It was followed by Cheonil Express(72.14%), LG Electronics(56.07%), Sungmoon Electronics(54.38%), and Gyeyang Electric, preferred shares(41.35%).

By trading volume, Haeyang Shipping ranked first, followed by Hanon Systems, Samsung Electronics, Hanwha Galleria, and LG Display.

Among the top net-buying stocks by individual investors were SK hynix, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Mobis, Doosan Enerbility, and Samsung Heavy Industries. The top net-selling stocks were Samsung Electro-Mechanics, SK Square, LG Display, Hanmi Semiconductor, and Hyundai Steel.

In the ETF market, TIGER U.S. Space Tech, SOL U.S. Space and Aerospace TOP10, ACE U.S. Space Tech Active, KODEX U.S. Space and Aerospace, and KODEX Consumer Discretionary were among the top gainers.

On the 15th, an employee is seen working at the Hana Bank dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul. On that day, the KOSPI closed at 7493.18, down 488.23 points (6.12%) from the previous session. Photo=Yonhap News

On that day, the KOSPI surged intraday, breaking above the 8000 level and reaching 8046.78. Growth centered on semiconductors and autos drove the rally, but foreign investors’ selling pressure pushed the index back down, closing at 7493.18—a drop of 488.23 points (6.12%) from the previous session.

Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, analyzed that semiconductors contributed more than 85% of the KOSPI’s recent sharp rise. "This demonstrates the absolute influence the semiconductor sector has on the KOSPI market, while also suggesting the possibility of a backlash due to excessive concentration," he noted. He added, "As the Q1 earnings season winds down, upward revisions to earnings forecasts are likely to stabilize," and foresaw that "the stock market may subsequently exhibit a rotation pattern centered on sectors that were left behind during the recent rally or were undervalued relative to earnings."

The researcher also pointed out that the KOSPI has risen significantly compared to global markets, making profit-taking sales by foreign investors inevitable. However, he interpreted this as part of a portfolio rebalancing process, arguing that its impact on the market would be limited.

Strong performance in the automotive sector also helped drive KOSPI growth. Lee Sang-jun, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities, diagnosed that Hyundai Motor Group’s robot business expectations were reflected in the market, strengthening stock prices and contributing to the KOSPI’s rise. "It is known that whether the robotics subsidiary Boston Dynamics proceeds with a Nasdaq listing in the United States will be decided by next month, which has driven the stock price higher," he said.

Reporter Park Su-Jin newswatch@newswatch.kr