KOSPI Falls Below 2600... Auto and Semiconductor Stocks Decline Amid Trump Tariff Policy

As U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff pressure continues, the KOSPI index fell below the 2600 mark on the 28th. The KOSDAQ index also declined, falling below the 700 level.

As of 9:20 a.m. that day, the KOSPI index was trading at 2566.90, down 40.25 points (-1.55%) from the previous trading day. The KOSPI opened at 2592.63, down 14.52 points (0.56%) from the previous close.

On the morning of the 28th, the KOSPI index was displayed on the status board in the dealing room of Hana Bank headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul.
On that day, the KOSPI opened at 2,592.63, down 14.52 points (0.56%) from the previous session. The KOSDAQ index opened at 708.97, up 0.21%, and the KRW/USD exchange rate opened at 1,466.0 won, up 0.7 won. Yonhap News

Foreign investors led the market decline with strong selling pressure. Foreigners sold a net 200.2 billion KRW, institutions sold a net 53.7 billion KRW, while individuals bought a net 247.8 billion KRW, defending the market.

Most of the top market capitalization stocks showed red. Except for LG Energy Solution (+0.07), Samsung Electronics (-2.75%), SK Hynix (-3.14%), Samsung Biologics (-0.57%), Hyundai Motor (-2.82%), Celltrion (-1.32%), Kia (-2.15%), KB Financial (-0.12%), and NAVER (-1.21%) all declined.

Due to President Trump's tariff policies, the automobile (-2.55%), auto parts (-2.63%), and semiconductor (-2.72%) sectors are falling. Non-ferrous metals rose 3.29%, and life sciences and other capital goods sectors showed slight gains.

Overnight, the New York stock market was weighed down by concerns over inflation and economic slowdown after President Trump announced a 25% tariff on all imported cars and car parts.

Lee Seong-hoon, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said in a report that day, "Today, the domestic stock market is expected to see some low-price buying funds flowing mainly into large-cap stocks amid recognition of excessive declines the previous day. However, with the resumption of short selling next week and the upcoming announcement of reciprocal tariffs, caution is rising, and a wait-and-see market is likely to continue."

The KOSDAQ index was trading at 701.36, down 6.13 points (0.87%). The KOSDAQ opened at 708.97, up 1.48 points (0.21%) from the previous day, but soon turned downward, falling below the 700 mark for the first time since January 3.

Most of the top market capitalization stocks are declining. Alteogen (+2.70%), Rainbow Robotics (+0.92%), and Hugel (+0.45%) rose. On the other hand, Ecobimpro (-1.48%), Ecopro (-1.20%), HLB (-1.54%), Samchundang Pharmaceutical (-3.50%), and Kolon TissueGene (-3.27%) fell.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.