KOSPI Falls 40% From June Peak


    By Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ)

    Summary :


    South Korea's KOSPI extended its sharp selloff, falling more than 21% in two sessions and nearly 40% from its June peak. Heavy selling in semiconductor stocks, led by SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, triggered a Level 1 circuit breaker, marking the ninth trading halt in 2026.

    KOSPI Down 21% in 2 Sessions: Here’s Why

    South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index remained under heavy selling pressure for a second straight session on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The sharp decline briefly forced the exchange to halt programme trading for 20 minutes after a Level 1 circuit breaker was triggered.

    Index Down 21% in 2 Trading Sessions, Falls Below 6,000 Mark

    The index closed at 5,663.24, down 360.42 points, or 5.98%. The losses extended Tuesday's 11% decline, taking the benchmark's two-day fall to more than 21%. It also slipped below the 6,000 mark for the first time since early April.

    KOSPI Falls 40% From Its Peak

    The latest correction has wiped out a large part of this year's gains. From its record high of 9,385 points on June 19, 2026, the KOSPI has now declined 39.66%.

    Trading Halt After Steep Intraday Slide

    The market had started the session on a positive note. The KOSPI opened at 6,089, above Tuesday's closing level of 6,023. However, selling pressure intensified during the session.

    KOSPI Index fell to its intra-day low of 5,262 points, a decrease of 12.63% compared to the previous closing price. The drop led to the activation of the Level 1 circuit breaker, causing a 20-minute trading halt once the benchmark dropped by more than 8%.

    Ninth Circuit Breaker in 2026

    The number of circuit breakers since 2000 is 15, out of which 9 have occurred in the year 2026 alone.

    What Caused This Market Decline?

    The sharp downturn in technology stocks, which have considerable influence on the KOSPI benchmark, primarily caused the market decline.

    Investors kept selling off semiconductor stocks because of concerns regarding their future earnings and momentum. While many tech firms delivered strong top-line growth, market concerns centred on whether earnings growth could justify elevated valuations.

    SK Hynix Falls 19% Despite Strong Quarterly Numbers

    SK Hynix became the biggest drag on the index. The SK Hynix share price closed at 1,401,000 won, down 9.61% for the day. During the session, the stock had fallen to 1,246,000 won, representing an intraday decline of 19.61% from Tuesday's closing price.

    The decline came despite another quarter of exceptional financial performance. Those figures were actually for Q1 2026. For Q2 2026, SK Hynix reported record revenue of 79.32 trillion and operating profit of 60.54 trillion. Revenue increased 257% year on year, while operating profit jumped 557%.

    However, the results fell short of the market's elevated expectations. Investors had anticipated even stronger numbers after the stock's sharp rally over recent months. 

    Samsung Falls Over 6% Ahead of Results

    Selling was not limited to SK Hynix. Samsung Electronics share price ended the session 6.39% lower. Investors remained cautious ahead of the company's quarterly earnings, scheduled to be released on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

    The weakness in both semiconductor giants amplified the pressure on the broader benchmark because of their large index weight.

    Source: Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ), BSE, NSE 

    About the Author

    SEBI Registered Research Analyst (INH000006396).


    Founded in 1986, Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ) brings decades of experience in India’s equity markets. DSIJ's research combines fundamental analysis with price action, guided by disciplined risk management and capital preservation. They follow a structured, data-driven approach designed to help investors and traders make informed decisions beyond short-term market noise. 

    Published Date : 29 Jul 2026

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    Content Partner - Dalal Street Investment Journal Wealth Advisory Private Limited



    This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market investments are subject to risks. DSIJ Wealth Advisory Private Limited is a SEBI-registered Research Analyst (Reg. No: INH000006396) and Investment Adviser (Reg. No: INA000001142). Please consult your financial adviser before investing. 

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