KOSPI Reclaims 6400 Level, Led by Semiconductor Gains

The Seoul stock market opened on an upward trend led by semiconductor shares on the morning of the 12th. The KOSPI opened at 6,438.50, up 92.97 points (1.47%) from the previous session, reclaiming the 6400 level. Samsung Electronics traded at 245,000 won, up 2.30% from the previous day, while SK hynix showed strength at 1,450,500 won, up 1.79%.

News emerged that AI semiconductor giant Nvidia is collaborating with major Wall Street financial firms to build an AI infrastructure financing network worth up to $500 billion (approximately 700 trillion won). The initiative aims to support client companies in constructing AI data centers and introducing equipment by leveraging external financial capital.

Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ started the day at 854.85, down 0.35% from the previous session, but subsequently fell to 846.29. Top market-cap stocks including Altogen, EcoPro, and HLB are trending downward. In the KOSDAQ market, foreign and institutional investors are net selling 74.4 billion won and 20.6 billion won respectively, while individual investors are net buying 102.4 billion won.

Uncertainty regarding international oil prices and inflation persists as negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz fail to find a clear breakthrough. On the 11th (local time), the New York stock market closed with all three major indices falling amid uncertainty over passage through the Strait of Hormuz and inflation concerns. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.34% (184.13 points) to close at 53,791.85, the S&P 500 fell 0.32% (24.91 points) to 7,728.20, and the NASDAQ Composite fell 0.60% (159.91 points) to 26,445.45.