KOSPI rises slightly on strong semiconductor exports

KOSPI closed higher Tuesday as strong early-August export data outweighed lingering concerns over AI investment and led gains in major semiconductor shares. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 6,345.53, up 0.73 percent from the previous session. The index opened 0.63 percent lower but reversed course as large-cap semiconductor stocks recovered after taking a breather in recent sessions. Foreign and institutional investors purchased a net 44.6 billion ($31.45 million) and 31.9 billion won worth of shares, respectively. Retail investors sold a net 72.4 billion won. SK hynix rose 0.35 percent to close at 1,425,000 won, while Samsung Electronics gained 4.13 percent to finish at 239,500 won. Korea's exports totaled $21.3 billion from Aug. 1 to 10, up 45.3 percent from a year earlier. Semiconductor exports in particular surged 155.4 percent year-on-year to $10 billion, driving the overall increase. DRAM export prices continued to rise, reinforcing expectations for strong earnings momentum in the semiconductor sector. Still, upbeat semiconductor data was tempered by lingering concerns over the sustain