[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyung-il ] Buoyed by strength in U.S. semiconductor stocks, the KOSPI surpassed the 7,100 mark in early trading. With the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rising more than 2%, buying interest from foreign and institutional investors in major semiconductor stocks such as SamsungElectronics(005930)and SK hynix(000660) is driving the index higher. The KOSDAQ is also showing strength, rising more than 1%.

According to MP Doctor on the 23rd, as of 9:18 a.m., the KOSPI stands at 7,117.11, up 99.20 points (1.41%) from the previous trading day. The KOSPI opened 1.94% higher at 7,153.99 today; although it has since pared some of its gains, it remains above the 7,100 mark. The KOSDAQ is currently trading at 846.39, up 12.01 points (1.44%).

Strength in U.S. semiconductor stocks is driving the rise in the domestic stock market. Overnight, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 2.1%, while Micron and SanDisk surged 5% and 6.8%, respectively. This is due to optimism spreading across the semiconductor sector regarding the growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) market and expanding demand for server memory.

Major domestic semiconductor stocks are also performing strongly. SamsungElectronics is currently trading at 283,500 won, up 2.53%, while SK hynix is trading at 1,868,000 won, up 1.52%. SamsungElectronics(1P)(005935)is up 3.07%, SKSQUARE(402340)is up 3.62%, SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)is up 1.41%, and LG Energy Solution(373220)is up 2%. SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940)is down 0.50%.

By market capitalization, large-cap stocks rose 1.54%, outperforming mid-cap stocks (0.51%) and small-cap stocks (0.17%). Foreign and institutional investors are supporting the KOSPI’s rise with net purchases of 309.8 billion won and 274.4 billion won, respectively. Retail investors are net sellers of 665 billion won. By sector, healthcare and precision instruments are up 2.59%, posting the largest gain. Chemicals (2.35%), electrical and electronics (1.94%), and manufacturing (1.64%) are also showing strength.

On the KOSDAQ, machinery and equipment are up 2.27%, while chemicals are up 1.64% and medical and precision instruments are up 1.49%. Among the top-market-cap stocks, Alteogen Inc.(196170)is up 1%, ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520) is up 1%, ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540) is up 1.63%, JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930) is up 0.49%, Rainbow Robotics(277810) is up 1.26%, WONIK IPS Co.,Ltd.(240810) is up 6.60%, EO Technics Co., Ltd.(039030) is up 0.63%, SIMMTECH Co., Ltd.(222800) is up 1.82%, and HPSP Co., Ltd.(403870) is up 1.84%. LEENO Industrial Inc(058470)is down 1.73%.

Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets last night showed mixed performance, with semiconductor stocks rising on expectations of AI market growth and a de-escalation of U.S.-Iran tensions, but financial stocks falling and investors adopting a wait-and-see attitude ahead of the U.S.-China summit. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4%, the S&P 500 remained flat, and the Nasdaq rose 0.5%.

The decline in international oil prices, driven by expectations of a de-escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, also supported risk-on sentiment. U.S. President Donald Trump made remarks suggesting that the U.S. and Iran are likely to reach an agreement and that the war could end before the midterm elections. As a result, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil—which had been trading above $100 per barrel for some time—has continued its downward trend, falling below $90.

However, with the Chuseok holiday approaching, profit-taking and a wait-and-see attitude may intensify during trading hours. Key variables include whether the tariff truce will be extended at the U.S.-China summit, how regulations related to AI and semiconductor technology competition will be discussed, the resumption of diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran, and changes in cargo volume through the Strait of Hormuz.

Han Ji-young, an analyst at KIWOOM Securities, said, ““The market is expected to open higher, led by the semiconductor sector, buoyed by a 2% gain in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index—driven by expectations of rising demand for server DRAM from companies like Micron and SanDisk—and a 2% rise in KOSPI 200 overnight futures,” she said. “During the session, however, we expect the market to shift toward a stock-picking environment driven by individual issues, with upside potential limited as profit-taking pressure builds amid a wait-and-see attitude ahead of the holiday.”