KOSPI slightly higher in early trading…KOSDAQ falls below 700 again

KOSPI opened slightly higher and traded near flat, supported by bargain buying in semiconductor stocks.

KOSDAQ fell back below the 700 level, reflecting weaker sentiment in the broader market.

SK hynix reported strong second-quarter and first-half results, with sales and operating profit surging sharply.

U.S. markets were mixed and chip stocks remained soft, keeping Korean tech shares sensitive to global semiconductor trends.

Near-term direction will likely hinge on the FOMC and earnings from major U.S. tech firms such as Microsoft and Meta.