The KOSPI and KOSDAQ indexes moved in opposite directions. As a breather after the previous transaction day's surge, the KOSPI faltered, while the KOSDAQ soared more than 4% intraday, triggering a buy sidecar.
On the 3rd, the KOSPI index fell 338.00 points (5.12%) to close at 6,257.45. The KOSPI started the session at 6,358.27, down 3.60% (237.18 points) from the previous transaction day, and widened its losses during the session.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ index rose 2.44% (17.59 points) from the previous transaction day to close at 737.35. The KOSDAQ started the session at 709.99, down 1.36% (9.77 points), but rebounded in the morning. It then extended gains, and a buy sidecar was triggered.
On the Korea Exchange's main board, individual investors alone absorbed supply. Individuals net bought 643.38 billion won, while foreigners and institutions net sold 387.08 billion won and 266.00 billion won, respectively.
On the KOSDAQ market, individuals and institutions each turned net buyers of 59.8 billion won and 162.9 billion won, while foreigners recorded a net sale of 230.5 billion won. The market is interpreted as taking a breather as profit-taking poured in after semiconductor stocks surged on the 31st of last month, the previous transaction day.
Kang Jin-hyeok, a researcher at Shinhan Investment & Securities, said, "With U.S. President Donald Trump canceling a strike on Iran, geopolitical tensions eased, but some of Friday's sharp gains were given back on profit-taking."
On the 31st of last month, the previous transaction day, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix each jumped 26.81% and 29.95%.
Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, analyzed, "Since share prices surged sharply in just one day, a reversal session emerged as foreigners' profit-taking appeared, centered on the two stocks." Samsung Electronics and SK hynix(000660) closed down about 8% on the day.
As large-cap semiconductor stocks underwent a correction, semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment stocks on the KOSDAQ also paused.
In contrast, the broader KOSDAQ market smiled for the first time in a while. As semiconductor leaders took a breather, a rotational rally unfolded, spreading a rebound to sectors that had been left out.
The researcher explained, "As flows concentrated in semiconductors shifted to pharmaceuticals, biotech, and robotics, the KOSDAQ continued to strengthen, with a buy sidecar triggered intraday, showing a clear divergence between the two markets."
On the day, securities shares such as Mirae Asset Securities, Korea Investment Holdings(071050), and Kiwoom Securities(039490) also fell as profit-taking emerged.
Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ biotech sector was strong. Peptron(087010) hit the upper limit, and Alteogen, LigaChem Biosciences, ABL Bio, and Sam Chun Dang Pharm(000250) also rose.
Rainbow Robotics(277810), ROBOTIS, and other KOSDAQ robotics stocks also finished higher.