KOSPI Drops Below 6800 Mark Amid Tariff Concerns; Down 1.79%

As external uncertainties, including concerns over US semiconductor tariffs, intensified on the 28th, foreign investors offloaded shares in bulk, pushing the KOSPI down 1.79% to 6788.88, below the 6800 level. Despite Nvidia's strong earnings report overnight, news emerged that the US government is considering imposing tariffs on semiconductors and certain finished products. Furthermore, geopolitical uncertainties surrounding the US and Iran led to a rise in international oil prices and US Treasury yields, dampening investor sentiment.

The KOSPI index attempted to recover to the 6900 level in early trading but succumbed to downward pressure in the afternoon. Foreign investors were the main drivers of the decline, with net selling of 1.7563 trillion won in the securities market, while retail investors net bought 424.5 billion won. The index briefly dipped to 6780.13 during the trading session.

In contrast, the KOSDAQ closed at 838.41, up 0.09% from the previous trading day, showing a divergent trend. On the KOSDAQ market, retail investors net bought 98 billion won, while foreign investors net sold 93.8 billion won. On this day, 957 stocks rose and 690 stocks fell on the KOSDAQ market, with individual stock movements being more prominent, unlike the KOSPI which is dominated by large-cap stocks.