[Edaily Reporter Kim Kyung-eun ] The KOSPI recovered the 7,000 mark early in the session but has since remained in a range-bound, cautious trading pattern. This is interpreted as a result of oil prices surging due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, offset by continued upward momentum driven primarily by artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor stocks. Caution ahead of the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) release appears to be capping the index’s upside.

According to MP Doctor on the 9th, as of 9:12 a.m. that day, the KOSPI was trading at 7,007.96, up 53.44 points (0.77%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 6,972.87, up 18.35 points (0.26%) from the previous close, and reclaimed the 7,000 mark early in the session.

Although geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have escalated again, the market is seen as fending off declines thanks to strong gains in semiconductor stocks. On the 8th (local time), the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.18% on the New York Stock Exchange, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 0.58% and 0.32%, respectively.

In contrast, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 1.30%, showing a solid performance. With semiconductor stocks performing strongly—including Intel, which surged more than 9%—this is seen as having a positive impact on investor sentiment toward domestic semiconductor stocks.

SamsungElectronics(005930), a leading domestic semiconductor stock, is trading at 270,500 won, up 1,000 won (0.37%) from the previous trading day. SK hynix(000660)is also trading at 1,821,000 won, up 28,000 won (1.56%) from the previous close.

Among other top KOSPI stocks by market capitalization, SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)(3.28%), LG Energy Solution(373220)(0.43%), HyundaiMotor(005380)(0.39%), and SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940)(0.35%) are all on the rise. In contrast, SKSQUARE(402340)(-0.18%), SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION(028260)(-0.79%), and KB Financial Group(105560)(-0.63%) are all down.

Some market analysts suggest that the stock market’s sensitivity to negative news from the Middle East has decreased compared to previous periods. Han Ji-young, an analyst at KIWOOM Securities, stated, “Overall pressure for a market correction is more limited now than it was in August, when U.S.-Iran military clashes resumed and the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield entered the 4.8% range,” adding, “We can infer that the stock market is developing resilience due to repeated exposure to macroeconomic and geopolitical variables.”

By investor type, retail investors made net purchases of 74.2 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors made net sales of 114.9 billion won and 18.9 billion won, respectively.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ is trading at 824.05, up 12.17 points (1.50%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 815.06, up 3.18 points (0.39%) from the previous close, and continues to trend higher. While retail investors have made net sales of 101.2 billion won and institutions 2.3 billion won, foreign investors are showing net purchases of 104.1 billion won.

The top two KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization are showing mixed trends. Alteogen Inc.(196170)is trading at 271,000 won, down 6,000 won (2.17%) from the previous close. In contrast, ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520)is trading at 81,800 won, up 700 won (0.86%).

Among other top-market-cap stocks, ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540)(2.10%), JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930)(6.12%), Rainbow Robotics(277810)(3.58%), and WONIK IPS Co.,Ltd.(240810)(3.71%) are showing strength. PharmaResearch(214450)(-0.54%) and Peptron, Inc.(087010)(-0.41%) are trading lower.

An analyst stated, “Due to the impact of a decline in global risk appetite stemming from renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran and growing caution ahead of the August CPI release, the KOSPI is expected to face resistance near the 7,000-point level and trade in a wait-and-see mode.”