The KOSDAQ closed lower in the regular session on the 19th, extending its weakness for a second consecutive day. Following a steep drop the previous day, the index recorded another decline and hovered around the 820 level.

On the 19th, the KOSDAQ index closed the regular session at 824.46, down 9.74 points (1.17%) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ had fallen 3.52% the day before to close at 834.20.

■ Top Market-Cap Stocks Mixed Between Gains and Losses

The movement of top market-capitalization stocks was mixed. Alteogen and EcoPro BM rose in the regular session, while EcoPro, RigaChemBio (Regem Bioscience), Jusung Engineering, and HLB declined.

Among gainers, Alteogen closed at 303,500 won, up 1.85% from the previous trading day, and EcoPro BM rose 0.64% to 109,800 won. Lino Industrial closed up 0.15% at 67,900 won, and Iotech (i3system) finished up 0.24% at 415,000 won.

Among decliners, EcoPro closed down 1.03% at 86,200 won, and RigaChemBio fell 1.60% to 462,500 won. Jusung Engineering closed down 4.29% at 171,600 won, while HLB fell 2.43% to 42,100 won, Wonik IPS dropped 2.76% to 109,300 won, and ABL Bio declined 0.13% to 79,700 won.

The regular-session closing prices of the top 10 KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization on the 19th were as follows:

· Alteogen: 303,500 won (+1.85%) · EcoPro: 86,200 won (-1.03%) · EcoPro BM: 109,800 won (+0.64%) · RigaChemBio: 462,500 won (-1.60%) · Jusung Engineering: 171,600 won (-4.29%) · HLB: 42,100 won (-2.43%) · Wonik IPS: 109,300 won (-2.76%) · Lino Industrial: 67,900 won (+0.15%) · Iotech: 415,000 won (+0.24%) · ABL Bio: 79,700 won (-0.13%)

■ Battery and Bio Stocks Support the Index Amid Semiconductor Declines

Among the top 10 stocks by market capitalization, four rose and six fell, showing differentiation by stock. Notably, while some semiconductor-related stocks, including Jusung Engineering, posted sharp declines, Alteogen and some secondary battery stocks rose, partially supporting the lower end of the index.

With the KOSDAQ showing weakness for two consecutive days, attention is focused on whether the 800 level can be defended, along with the price movements of top market-cap bio, semiconductor, and secondary battery stocks.