South Korean Shares Edge Lower on Middle East Risks

The benchmark KOSPI edged down 0.13% to close at 9,052 on Friday, reversing earlier gains, as renewed Middle East uncertainty prompted investors to lock in profits following the market's recent rally to record highs. Sentiment weakened after planned talks between the United States and Iran were cancelled, raising doubts about the durability of the recent peace agreement and weighing on risk appetite across regional markets. Samsung Electronics slipped 1.38% after reaching fresh highs earlier in the session, while Doosan Enerbility (-2.41%), Hanwha Aerospace (-6.48%), and KB Financial Group (-6.48%) also declined. In contrast, SK Hynix remained resilient, advancing 3.35%, alongside SK Square (5.29%) and Hyundai Mobis (1.00%). Despite the retreat, foreign investors remained net buyers of local equities, suggesting underlying demand for South Korean stocks remained intact.

The benchmark KOSPI climbed more than 3% to around 9,340 on Friday, extending gains to fresh record highs, as semiconductor stocks continued to drive the rally. SK Hynix gained more than 6%, extending momentum after announcing the shipment of samples of its next-generation 12-layer HBM4E memory chips to key customers, while Samsung Electronics (2.9%) also advanced, alongside SK Square (8.2%), LG Energy Solution (5.0%), and Hyundai Motor (3.5%). Sentiment was further boosted by a strong rally in US semiconductor stocks overnight, with Intel surging after US President Donald Trump said Apple would work with the company to design and manufacture chips in the United States, lifting the broader technology sector. At the same time, easing geopolitical tensions following the US-Iran memorandum of understanding continued to support risk appetite, with South Korean officials saying improving conditions could help reduce supply chain risks and external uncertainties.

The benchmark KOSPI climbed 2.25% to close at 9,064 on Thursday, extending gains to fresh record highs above the 9,000 mark, as strong momentum in AI-related semiconductor stocks continued to support the market. SK Hynix advanced 7.22% after announcing the shipment of samples of its next-generation 12-layer HBM4E memory chips to key customers, reinforcing optimism about AI-driven demand, while Samsung Electronics (4.62%) and SK Square (8.65%) also jumped. Investor sentiment remained resilient despite a hawkish signal from the Federal Reserve, which kept interest rates unchanged but indicated that policymakers expect a higher rate path than previously projected. At the same time, easing concerns over energy supplies and geopolitical risks following the US-Iran peace agreement helped sustain risk appetite, with South Korean authorities noting that improving conditions could help stabilize global energy markets and reduce uncertainty facing the export-driven economy.