[Edaily Reporter Kim Kyung-eun ] The KOSPI is attempting to stabilize above the 7,000-point mark. Although oil prices have surged due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, upward momentum appears to be continuing, led by artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor stocks.

According to MP Doctor on the 9th, as of 1:21 p.m. that day, the KOSPI was trading at 7,028.71, up 74.19 points (1.07%) from the previous close. 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. At one point during the session, it soared as high as 7,112.48, up 157.96 points (2.27%).

Although geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have escalated again, the market is seen as fending off a decline thanks to strong performance by semiconductor stocks. On the 8th (local time), the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 1.30% on the New York Stock Exchange, showing a solid trend. With semiconductor stocks performing strongly—including Intel, which surged more than 9%—this is believed to have had a positive impact on investor sentiment toward domestic semiconductor stocks.

In the afternoon, profit-taking by retail investors led to selling pressure, causing the market to give up some of its gains. As of this writing, retail investors have net sold 1.8609 trillion won, foreign investors have net sold 114.5 billion won, and institutional investors have net bought 698.8 billion won.

SamsungElectronics(005930), the leading domestic semiconductor stock, is trading at 269,750 won, up 250 won (0.09%) from the previous trading day. SK hynix(000660)is trading at 1,847,000 won, up 54,000 won (3.01%) from the previous close.

Among other top-market-cap stocks on the KOSPI, SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)(2.26%), LG Energy Solution(373220)(4.73%), and HyundaiMotor(005380)(0.65%) are on the rise. In contrast, SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION(028260)(-0.39%), KB Financial Group(105560)(-0.92%), and Samsung Life Insurance(032830)(-2.27%) are trading lower.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ is trading at 825.33, up 13.45 points (1.66%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 815.06, up 3.18 points (0.39%) from the previous close, and has continued its upward trend. While retail investors recorded net sales of 200.1 billion won, foreign and institutional investors posted net purchases of 176.5 billion won and 23.3 billion won, respectively.

Among the top two KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, Alteogen Inc.(196170)is trading at 277,500 won, up 500 won (0.18%) from the previous trading day. ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520)is trading at 84,900 won, up 3,800 won (4.69%).

Among other top-market-cap stocks, ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540)(5.73%), JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930)(5.09%), Rainbow Robotics(277810)(2.31%), and WONIK IPS Co.,Ltd.(240810)(3.80%) are showing strength. HLB INC.(028300)(0.16%) and PharmaResearch(214450)(-1.49%) are trading lower.

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, noted, “Compared to August, when U.S.-Iran military clashes resumed and the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield entered the 4.8% range, overall downward pressure on the stock market is more limited,” adding, “We can infer that the market is developing resilience due to repeated exposure to macroeconomic and geopolitical variables.”