KOSPI Plummets Amid Middle East War... Will the 5,000-Point Mark Collapse? [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
① "KOSPI could plunge over 30% if US-Iran war escalates," experts warn
② Semiconductor output drops, January industrial production down 1.3%... Consumption and investment rise
③ US and Japanese stock markets stay active overnight... Korea limited by the '15% rule'

MARKET INDEX : Year to date

○ The New York Stock Exchange closed higher across the board on reports of US-Iran contact.

○ Risk appetite recovered as oil prices showed signs of stabilization.

○ Semiconductor stocks led the rally, with the semiconductor index surging 2%.

Top3 NEWS

■ "If it doesn't end within a month, the real gates of hell will open"... A forecast warns even the 5,000-point mark is at risk, with the worst-case scenario emerging

○ The KOSPI plummeted for a second consecutive day due to the US-Iran war.

○ Securities firms present the worst-case scenario of a prolonged conflict lasting more than a month.

○ If it ends within a month, the support level is expected to be around 5,500 points.

■ Semiconductor sector 'takes a breather' as January production falls 1.3%... Consumption and investment show signs of recovery

○ Semiconductor production declined by 4.4%, while transportation equipment fell by 17.8%.

○ Consumption of padded jackets and HEATTECH increased due to the cold wave.

○ Construction output saw its steepest decline in 14 years.

■ "Let's trade stocks lying down after work" — the US and Japan trade overnight, but Korea is hampered by the '15% rule'

○ The US and Japan allow trading in the early morning hours, absorbing foreign demand.

○ After ETFs, trading has expanded to bonds and derivative products.

○ There is also a need for more flexible commission fees and an integrated disclosure system.

Graphic News: Insurance companies entering the nursing care market... Hampered by direct land ownership regulations

○ Samsung Life Insurance restructures to a 'direct management' model; KB and Shinhan are also expanding.

○ Companies must own land and buildings directly, requiring an initial investment of 50 billion to 60 billion won.

○ The scope of non-insurance services is also limited.

the Chart: Payment landscape shifts with stablecoins... Card companies and PGs compete for dominance

○ The Korea Federation of Credit Finance plans to complete technology verification in the first half of the year.

○ Payment gateways (PGs) are attempting to expand their influence in the payments market.

○ The outlook is that consumers will perceive the impact as limited.

Today's Key Schedule

○Domestic

K-Bank KOSPI listing, confirmed public offering price at 8,300 won

Kanaph Therapeutics KOSDAQ subscription, planned public offering price between 16,000 and 20,000 won

○International

00:00 US ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI (February)

00:30 US Crude Oil Inventories

02:00 Speech by Germany's Bundesbank President Balz

09:30 Australia's Trade Balance (January)

18:30 UK Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (February)

22:30 US Initial Jobless Claims

22:30 US Unit Labor Costs (QoQ) (Q4)

22:30 US Import Price Index (MoM) (January)

◇Lunch & Commute Weather

○ Lowest temperature: 2°C (▲1°C) ｜Highest temperature: 14°C (▲3°C)
○ Precipitation probability: 30% in the morning｜60% in the afternoon
○ Fine dust: Moderate in the morning｜Moderate in the afternoon

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This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.