The domestic stock market closed lower on the 3rd, with both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ plunging sharply. The KOSPI fell more than 3%, dropping below the 5,650 level, while the KOSDAQ recorded a decline in the 4% range, pushed back to the low 700s. amid the joint decline of large-cap semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, Ateogen and Samsung Biologics closed higher, showing a contrasting trend.

■ Index Movements On the 3rd, the KOSPI closed the regular session at 5,648.79, down 210.29 points (3.59%) from the previous trading day. The KOSPI opened at 5,715.19 and rose to as high as 5,735.92 intraday before expanding its losses. The intraday low was 5,615.80, pushed back to the low 5,600s, and although it recovered some of its losses, it ultimately failed to reclaim the 5,650 level.

The KOSDAQ also finished trading at 704.39, down 29.97 points (4.08%) from the previous session. The KOSDAQ opened at 723.92 and fell to as low as 702.34 intraday. The opening price was the day's high, and weakness continued thereafter. After approaching the 700 level intraday, it rebounded somewhat but could not climb back above the 710 level.

■ Weakness in Large-Cap Semiconductor and Secondary Battery Stocks As both indices plunged together, declines among top market-cap stocks were also pronounced. On the KOSPI, Samsung Electronics closed at 222,000 won, down 7,000 won (3.06%) from the previous trading day, and SK Hynix finished at 1,414,000 won, down 58,000 won (3.94%). Samsung Electronics Preferred recorded 173,300 won, down 3,700 won (2.09%), and SK Square recorded 911,000 won, down 39,000 won (4.11%). Samsung Electro-Mechanics fell 67,000 won (5.62%) to 1,126,000 won, showing the largest decline among the top 10 KOSPI stocks by market capitalization.

Semiconductor-related stocks also remained weak on the KOSDAQ. Eotech finishing the session at 362,000 won, down 29,500 won (7.54%) from the previous trading day, recording the highest decline among the top 10 KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization. Wonik IPS recorded 86,300 won, down 4,700 won (5.16%), and Simtech recorded 118,100 won, down 2,300 won (1.91%).

Secondary battery-related stocks also fell in both markets. LG Energy Solution on the KOSPI finished trading at 343,000 won, down 13,000 won (3.65%). On the KOSDAQ, Ecopro recorded 71,300 won, down 2,500 won (3.39%), and Ecopro BM recorded 88,600 won, down 3,500 won (3.80%).

■ Financial and Other Stocks Hyundai Motor, a leading auto stock, closed at 279,000 won, down 8,000 won (2.79%). Financial and insurance stocks were also weak. KB Financial recorded 152,000 won, down 1,400 won (0.91%), and Samsung Life Insurance recorded 263,500 won, down 8,500 won (3.12%).

On the KOSDAQ, HLB recorded 40,850 won, down 850 won (2.04%), and Ribowell recorded 54,300 won, down 2,700 won (4.74%). Jusung Engineering finished trading at 159,100 won, down 8,900 won (5.30%), and robot-related stock Rainbow Robotics also closed the session at 351,500 won, down 11,000 won (3.03%).

■ Gainers in a Declining Market Stocks that maintained their upward momentum drew attention even in a falling market. Among the top 10 KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, Ateogen was the only one to rise, finishing trading at 215,500 won, up 2,500 won (1.17%) from the previous trading day. On the KOSPI, Samsung Biologics recorded 1,435,000 won, up 13,000 won (0.91%), closing as the only gainer among the top 10 stocks by market capitalization.

On this day, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ fell by more than 210 points and 29 points, respectively, showing a different picture from the previous day's upward trend. Going forward, whether the KOSPI holds the 5,600 level and the KOSDAQ holds the 700 level is expected to emerge as a key focus in the market. In particular, attention is focused on whether large-cap semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will rebound, as well as the stock price movement of Ateogen, which showed relative strength on the KOSDAQ.

[※ This article is for reference only in making investment decisions, and the final responsibility for investments lies with the investor.]