Fed Rate Freeze Hints Boost NYSE Recovery...KOSPI Maintains Volatility Around 6,570
Global Markets and Key Issues
Recent concerns about interest rate hikes that had been weighing on US markets have eased. Following Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller's hints at a benchmark rate freeze in September, US Treasury yields have fallen, and the three major New York stock indices have rebounded in the 1% range simultaneously. As of September 4, 2026, the US overnight futures market also shows continued upward trends with ES=F(+0.97%), NQ=F(+1.12%), YM=F(+1.15%).
Meanwhile, the 10-year US Treasury yield, a barometer of the global economy, is hovering above the 5% level, acting as a burden on domestic markets. Due to macro variables, investment sentiment in the AI semiconductor sector appears somewhat subdued. Sustained tensions in the Middle East have caused international oil prices (WTI) to show a rising trend for four consecutive days.
Domestic Market Trends and Investor Flows
The KOSPI index has maintained volatility by alternating between rises and falls over the past 20 days. On September 3, 2026, the KOSPI closed at 6,579.48 points, showing a slight recovery from the previous day (6,562.72 points). Here is the closing price trend of the KOSPI index over the past 20 days (datapack[0]).
Looking at trading trends by investor type, while foreign investors continue to face net selling pressure, the competition between institutions and individuals is fierce. As of September 3, 2026, in the KOSPI market, institutions net bought 9,143.45 billion won, foreigners net bought 414.39 billion won, while individuals recorded net selling of 9,551.68 billion won. The net purchase trends by investor type in the KOSPI market over the past 10 days (datapack[1]) are as follows.
Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ index closed at 790.21 points on September 3, 2026, recording a downward trend. In the KOSDAQ market that day, individuals net bought 294,972,932,242 won, while foreigners (-110,256,763,668 won) and institutions (-183,756,582,988 won) showed concurrent net selling.
Domestic Corporate Credit Rating Changes
According to recent credit rating evaluations published by Korea Investors Service (KIS), there were a total of 14 rating adjustments and maintenances.
- JB Weuicapital: Corporate bond (SB) rating 'AA-' (Outlook: Stable, September 3)
- Korean Air: Corporate bond (SB) rating 'A' (Outlook: Positive, September 2)
- Daehan Electric Wire: Corporate bond (SB) rating 'A' (Outlook: Stable, September 2)
- Seoul Housing and Urban Development Corporation and Korea Water Resources Corporation: Corporate bond (PFB) rating 'AAA' (Outlook: Stable, September 2)
- Shinhan Financial Group: Corporate bond (COCOT1) rating 'AA-' (Outlook: Stable, September 1)
Data Limitations and Disclaimers
This briefing is based on public data from reliable institutions such as KRX and Korea Investors Service. However, the data presented herein is based on snapshots collected from August 6, 2026 to September 4, 2026, and may not fully reflect long-term market trends or subsequent real-time changes. All investment decisions and their resulting responsibilities lie with the investor.