[Digital Today reporter Sangyeop Oh (오상엽)] The KOSPI clung to the 8,000 mark a day before Samsung Electronics is set to release preliminary second-quarter results. Samsung Electronics rose, but the index ended slightly lower as SK Hynix and Samsung Electro-Mechanics, among others, weakened.

On July 6, the KOSPI closed down 37.01 points, or 0.46 percent, at 8,051.33. The index opened up 98.48 points, or 1.22 percent, at 8,186.82 and climbed to the 8,300 level during the session, but later gave up its gains.

At one point it slid to 7,815.53, briefly falling below 8,000. It pared losses late in the session and finished above 8,000.

In the main bourse, retail investors net bought 264.61 billion won. Foreign investors and institutions net sold 131.05 billion won and 143.14 billion won, respectively.

Among the top market-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics closed up 8,500 won, or 2.75 percent, at 318,000 won. It is seen as reflecting expectations ahead of the next day's preliminary second-quarter earnings release.

SK Hynix, by contrast, fell 82,000 won, or 3.38 percent, to 2,343,000 won. SK Square fell 5.92 percent, Samsung Electro-Mechanics fell 8.09 percent, LG Energy Solution fell 2.21 percent and Samsung Biologics fell 1.13 percent.

Hyundai Motor rose 2.03 percent, Samsung Life Insurance rose 2.74 percent and Samsung C&T rose 3.69 percent.

The Kosdaq closed down 21.34 points, or 2.46 percent, at 847.07. The market had recently extended a rebound, but it weakened on the day as profit-taking combined with softer preference for risk assets.

At the close, the won-dollar exchange rate was 1,532.60 won per dollar, up 3.60 won, or 0.24 percent, from the previous session.

In the market, Samsung Electronics' preliminary second-quarter earnings release scheduled for the next day is cited as a key factor that will determine the stock market's short-term direction.