KOSPI Trades Sideways After Early Drop; Samsung Electronics and SK hynix Still Falling

KOSDAQ Surges Over 5%, Triggers Buy-Sidecar Mechanism

On August 4, the KOSPI initially opened higher but subsequently declined in the early session before partially recovering to trade sideways. However, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix remained on a downward trend.

As of 12:00 p.m. on this day, the KOSPI was trading at 6,215.8 on the Korea Exchange, down 0.65% from the previous session. Foreign investors and individual investors have net purchased 21.5 billion won and 444.7 billion won respectively, while institutions have net sold 536.5 billion won.

There are mixed performances by sector. Construction rose by 6.9%, while telecommunications (6.23%), metals (4.56%), machinery and equipment (2.92%), chemicals (2.6%), electricity and gas (2.54%), and non-metals (2.38%) also recorded gains. In contrast, insurance declined by 3.1%, and electric and electronics (-1.55%) and retail (-1.18%) posted losses.

Among large-cap stocks, SK Telecom climbed 12.5%, while LIG Defense & Aerospace (12.4%), Hanwha Aerospace (10.2%), NAVER (7.7%), Samsung SDS (7.1%), Hyundai Rotem (6%), and Doosan Enerbility (5.3%) were also up. Conversely, Samsung Life Insurance fell 4.6%, while Hyundai Mobis (-4.1%), Samsung C&T (-3.6%), SK Inc. (-3.2%), Samsung Electronics (-2.6%), SK hynix (-2.6%), and Hyundai Motor (-2.5%) declined.

On the 4th, after the KOSPI started higher but turned to a decline, employees were monitoring the stock market and exchange rates in the dealing room at the Hana Bank headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. On that day, the KOSPI opened at 6,351.38, up 93.93 points (1.50%) from the previous trading day, and the KOSDAQ opened at 748.19, up 10.84 points (1.47%). August 4, 2026. Photo by Jo Yongjun

At the same time, the KOSDAQ was trading at 773.06, up 4.84% from the previous session. After a strong start, the index surged into the 5% range, triggering the buy-sidecar mechanism (temporary suspension of buy orders). At around 10:47 a.m., due to fluctuations in KOSDAQ150 futures prices and the cash index, the buy-sidecar was activated on the KOSDAQ market, leading to a five-minute suspension of program buy orders. This marks the third consecutive trading day the measure has been triggered, following July 31 and the previous day.

At the time of activation, KOSDAQ150 futures were at 1,339.10, up 6.09% from the previous day, while the KOSDAQ150 index was at 1,332.12, up 6.50%.

Foreign investors and individual investors recorded net selling of 214 billion won and 168.4 billion won respectively, while institutions recorded a net purchase of 389.3 billion won.

The majority of large-cap stocks on the KOSDAQ rose. Boronoi advanced 16.7%, Olix climbed 15.9%, Legochem Biosciences (15.4%), D&D Pharmatech (14.4%), ABL Bio (13.3%), and Wooree Tech (10.3%) all saw gains. On the other hand, Padu (-2%) and PSK (-1.4%) declined.

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