On the 3rd, the domestic stock market showed a clear divergence. While the KOSPI fluctuated around the previous close, the KOSDAQ plunged more than 3%, sharply dampening investor sentiment.

As of the morning of the same day, the KOSPI stood at 7,645.17, down 2.92 points (0.04%) from the previous trading day. Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ index widened its losses to 839.27, down 27.45 points (3.17%). The large-cap-focused KOSPI 200 index rose 0.08% to 2,220.57, and the KRX 100 index also gained 0.12% to reach 19,350.72.

In terms of investor trends, the clash between foreign investors and institutions was notable. Foreigners net sold 1.3057 trillion won in the securities market, leading the selling pressure. On the other hand, institutions net purchased 1.0536 trillion won, and retail investors also net bought 198.1 billion won, absorbing the foreign selling.

Although the indices showed a mixed performance, declining stocks overwhelmingly outnumbered advancing ones on an individual stock basis. In the securities market, 260 stocks rose while 609 fell, and in the KOSDAQ market, 293 advanced while 1,389 declined, showing a significantly larger number of falling stocks.

The securities industry analyzes that the sector-specific differentiation trend in the U.S. stock market and profit-taking sales also affected the domestic market. In particular, expanded volatility centered on growth stocks and certain semiconductor and secondary battery-related stocks resulted in a sharper decline in the KOSDAQ compared to the KOSPI. The market is also noting that while foreigners engaged in large-scale selling in the spot market, they continued net buying in the futures market.

Going forward, changes in foreign investor trends, U.S. economic indicators, and the recovery of global investor sentiment are cited as key variables that will determine the short-term direction of the domestic stock market.

[This article was written with the assistance of AI. This article does not constitute investment advice, and investment decisions and their consequences are the responsibility of the investor.]