The domestic stock market closed the week lower, with attention now turning to the resumption of trading after the holiday weekend. On the KOSPI, large-cap stocks fell across the board, while on the KOSDAQ, more of the top-ranked stocks advanced even as the index declined. In the new week, it will be worth watching not only whether the two markets recover their losses, but also whether the price gaps that opened up between sectors narrow.

■ KOSPI -2.62%, KOSDAQ -0.69% — Both Markets Close Lower

At the close of the regular session on the 8th, the KOSPI was recorded at 6,625.93 and the KOSDAQ at 892.27. Over the day, the KOSPI lost 177.97 points and the KOSDAQ lost 6.16 points. In percentage terms, the declines were -2.62% and -0.69%, respectively, with the benchmark securities market falling relatively more.

■ Semiconductors Move in Different Directions by Market and Segment

Semiconductor-related stocks diverged depending on the market and business segment. Samsung Electronics fell 2.05% to 263,000 won, SK hynix dropped 2.15% to 1,686,000 won, and Samsung Electronics Preferred also declined 1.77% to 194,500 won.

SK Square's decline was more pronounced, with its shares down 7.27% at 1,059,000 won, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics also slipped 2.81% to finish at 1,559,000 won.

In contrast, a fair number of semiconductor equipment and parts stocks on the KOSDAQ rose. Jusung Engineering climbed 6.46% to 263,500 won, while Rorze Industrial Korea (Rino Industry) and Wonik IPS gained 3.05% and 2.36%, respectively, closing at 87,800 won and 134,200 won. Simtech edged up 0.18% to 170,700 won, and Eotec (EOTechnics) rose 0.19% to 519,000 won.

■ Biotech Weak, Secondary Batteries Mixed — LG Energy Solution the 'Sole Gainer'

In biotech, Alteogen and Samsung Biologics stood out with weakness. Alteogen fell 6.42% to 240,500 won, and Samsung Biologics dropped 4.46% to 1,220,000 won. HLB moved in the opposite direction, rising 0.22% to 46,000 won. Robotics stock Rainbow Robotics ended trading down 3.47% at 431,500 won.

Secondary battery stocks also did not move in one direction. LG Energy Solution rose 3.07% to 403,000 won, making it the only stock among the KOSPI's top 10 by market capitalization to post a positive return. On the KOSDAQ, EcoPro BM gained 1.61% to 126,500 won, while EcoPro fell 0.76% to 91,200 won.

■ Autos and Financial Large Caps Weak — 9 of KOSPI's Top 10 by Market Cap Decline

Declines continued in automobile and financial and insurance large caps. Hyundai Motor closed down 3.42% at 324,500 won, and KB Financial Group fell 3.03% to 163,400 won. Samsung Life Insurance also dropped 3.91% to 270,000 won.

As such, 9 of the KOSPI's top 10 stocks by market capitalization fell, while 7 of the KOSDAQ's top 10 rose. It was a day when the mere fact that both indices declined could hardly explain the temperature differences among individual stocks.

■ U.S. Markets Rally Across the Board — What to Watch Next Week

In the U.S. market on the 9th (local time), major indices all rose to wrap up the week's trading. As technology stocks rebounded and expectations grew for expanded Russian diesel supplies, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.83% to 51,654.95. The S&P 500 gained 0.59% to 7,811.54, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.64% to 27,366.17.

In the domestic market opening next week after the U.S. rally, the focus will be on whether the declines in large-cap semiconductor stocks and major biotech names will subside. Whether the KOSPI will attempt a rebound around the 6,600 level and whether the KOSDAQ will approach the 900 mark again, along with the follow-through in equipment and parts stocks and some secondary battery names that showed strength in the latest session, are also points to watch.

[This article is for informational purposes only regarding investment; investment decisions and any resulting responsibility lie with the investor.]