The KOSPI index extended its losses during trading on July 1, falling into the 8,100 range.

Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ index, which marks its 30th anniversary today, is trading higher.

As of 11:07 a.m. today, the KOSPI stood at 8,179.17, down 297.31 points (3.51%) from the previous trading session.

The index opened at 8,591.50, up 115.02 points (1.36%) from the previous close, and briefly reclaimed the 8,600 level. However, it pared gains during the session before turning downward.

Since then, the index has been widening its losses.

In the KOSPI market, foreign and institutional investors are net sellers, offloading 1.2116 trillion won and 175.9 billion won worth of shares, respectively, while individual investors are net buyers with 1.3905 trillion won.

Foreign investors have been on a selling streak for nine consecutive trading days since June 19.

In the KOSPI 200 futures market, foreign investors are also net selling 22 billion won.

Although the U.S. stock market in New York rose overnight, led by tech stocks, the persistent selling by foreign investors is dragging down the index.

Market caution has also been heightened by concerns that the National Pension Service (NPS) may begin reducing its domestic stock holdings starting today, as it resumes rebalancing following the expiration of a grace period at the end of June.

However, experts believe the impact of the NPS rebalancing on the stock market will be limited.

Han Ji-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities, explained, "The impact of the National Pension Service's rebalancing in the second half of the year will not be as significant as feared." She added, "While some point out that up to 60 trillion won in selling could emerge, this is a technical maximum estimate that does not account for the permitted ranges of strategic and tactical asset allocation."

She continued, "The National Pension Service tends to sell its portfolio when market liquidity is favorable to minimize the impact on the market," and projected, "Considering the permitted ranges, the actual scale of selling will likely be limited to around 15 trillion won."

Among large-cap stocks, semiconductor shares such as Samsung Electronics (-4.72%) and SK Hynix (-3.74%) are seeing their losses widen compared to early trading.

In addition, SK Square (-3.12%), Hyundai Motor (-2.42%), LG Energy Solution (-3.04%), Samsung Life Insurance (-5.49%), and Samsung Biologics (-2.08%) are also trading lower.

Conversely, Samsung Electro-Mechanics (0.14%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (2.20%), Doosan Enerbility (1.04%), Hanwha Aerospace (8.04%), and Kia (1.01%) are on the rise.

By sector, information technology (-5.57%), retail (-4.87%), and electrical/electronics (-3.48%) are declining, while construction (5.14%), entertainment/culture (3.10%), and securities (2.28%) are gaining.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is at 923.82, up 7.64 points (0.83%) from the previous session.

The KOSDAQ index opened at 924.09, up 7.91 points (0.86%) from the previous close, turned downward, but then returned to an upward trend, briefly rising as high as 955.45.

It has since slightly pared its gains.

As the Korea Exchange is holding a 30th-anniversary event for the KOSDAQ today, investors are paying close attention to whether any specific market revitalization policies will be announced.

Alteogen (0.55%), Jusung Engineering (15.42%), Rainbow Robotics (1.54%), PSK (7.09%), and Simmtech (6.59%) are trading higher.

Madup, which listed on the KOSDAQ market today, is also up more than 130% from its initial public offering price.

On the other hand, EcoPro BM (-6.46%), which decided on a large-scale capital increase, is falling, and EcoPro (-9.66%) is also plummeting.

In addition, Wonik IPS (-3.27%), HLB (-2.88%), and Leeno Industrial (-0.95%) are also showing weakness.

(Photo: Yonhap News)