With U.S. tech stocks extending gains for a second day, the KOSPI opened higher on the 1st. With semiconductor exports showing strength in the export-import trends for June announced before the open, investor sentiment is expected to improve, led by semiconductor stocks.
On the day, the KOSPI opened at 8,591.50, up 115.02 points (1.36%) from the previous session. As of 9:10 a.m., it is at 8,563.98.
In the main board, foreigners are net selling 360 billion won, while institutions are net buying 410 billion won. Individuals are also net selling 40 billion won.
Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are flat. Samsung Electro-Mechanics is up 3%, but SK Square is down in the 2% range. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, semiconductor exports in June rose 199.5% from a year earlier to $44.82 billion, topping $40 billion in a month for the first time.
With the export momentum confirmed, some in the market say concerns about a peak-out in the semiconductor cycle raised recently could ease somewhat.
Overnight, New York stocks closed higher across the three major indexes as tech strength continued. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.26% from the previous session, the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 gained 0.79%, and the Nasdaq climbed 1.52%.
Nvidia rose 2.6%, and AMD and Intel jumped 7.7% and 6.0%, respectively. Apple, which had fallen sharply recently, also rebounded 2.7%, with buying focused on big tech.
Han Ji-young, a Kiwoom Securities researcher, said, "The end of quarter- and half-year-end rebalancing events, strength in U.S. semiconductor stocks, and a rebound in KOSPI 200 night futures will create a bullish trend for the domestic market," adding, "Korea's June exports and export performance of key items such as semiconductors are expected to add differentiation to the intraday price momentum of related sectors."
While uncertainty over talks between the United States and Iran and energy-driven inflation concerns remain, some analysts say the impact on the domestic market will be limited.
The researcher said, "As Iran noted that it is not holding any talks with the United States, noise around a cease-fire negotiation is resurfacing," but added, "Given that the domestic market has digested related risks through multiple corrections since the war broke out in March, it is appropriate to approach war uncertainty as a lower priority in strategy."
The KOSDAQ index opened at 924.09, up 7.91 points (0.86%) from the previous session. However, it turned lower right after the open.
Top market-cap stocks are mixed. EcoPro and EcoPro BM, which released a rights issue the day before, are down about 7% and in the 5% range, respectively, while Rainbow Robotics, LEENO Industrial, and EO Technics are rising.
Meanwhile, the Korea Exchange (KRX) will hold a three-day event starting on the day to mark the 30th anniversary of the KOSDAQ market. Alongside events highlighting the history and achievements of the KOSDAQ market, "KOSDAQ CONNECT 2026" will feature corporate presentations (IR) by KOSDAQ-listed companies and lectures by experts in various fields.
Attention is also focusing on whether measures to strengthen the competitiveness of the recently sluggish KOSDAQ market and discussions on revitalization will take place.