[Opening Market] KOSPI Struggles to Maintain 6,800 Mark As Treasury Yields Surge

On September 29, South Korea's KOSPI stock market struggled to hold the 6,800 mark as U.S. Treasury yields surged to new highs. The KOSPI index opened at 6,844.41 points, down 45.33 points (0.66%) from the previous day's close of 6,889.74 points. After a 2.70% drop the day before, which had previously breached the 6,900 mark, downward pressure intensified from the opening bell.

The KOSDAQ index, which opened at 843.87 points down 2.71% (0.32%), showed increasing decline. Foreign selling pressure intensified in early trading, threatening the KOSDAQ's range of decline. Foreign investors sold a total of 853.5 billion won ($627.57 million), while domestic investors and institutions net bought 238.8 billion won ($176.50 million).

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, key semiconductor stocks, faced weakness, with Samsung down 0.56% to 268,500 won and SK Hynix down 0.68% to 1,756,000 won. Secondary battery stocks like LG Energy Solution and POSCO Holdings declined around 2,000 to 4,000 won due to concerns over electric vehicle demand and high interest rates. Automobile stocks like Hyundai Motor and Kia, however, showed an upward trend at +1,500 to +3,000 won due to expectations of improved export performance.

Financial stocks, including KB Financial Group and Shinhan Financial Group, showed limited fluctuations amid concerns over an economic slowdown.

The won/dollar exchange rate approached the 1,360 won mark, driven by a rising dollar due to strong U.S. consumer sentiment and hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve officials. This exchange rate rise, coupled with higher Treasury yields, created a vicious cycle, negatively impacting foreign supply and demand and worsening selling pressure in the domestic stock market.