KOSPI Slumps as Nikkei Defies Trend on BOJ Rate Hike Expectations

The KOSPI Index ended its three-day winning streak on August 28, falling 1.79% to close below the 6,800 mark at 6,788.88 points.

The decline was led by Samsung and SK Hynix, which saw sharp drops of 2.82% and 3.87%, respectively.

However, the Nikkei 225 Index defied the trend, rising 0.41% to close above the 66,000 mark at 66,405.34.

The divergent performance between Japanese and South Korean stock markets is attributed to market expectations of another rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) in autumn.