Strong Start, Weak Finish' KOSPI...Why Did the Market Retreat? | Myeong Min-jun, Park Ga-yeong, Lee Da-sol [Stock Beginner Rescue Squad]

Summary

The KOSPI opened strong, even triggering a buy-side circuit breaker, but reversed sharply in the afternoon as foreign investors sold futures, oil prices spiked on Middle East tensions, and caution grew ahead of Alphabet's earnings. Guest speakers discussed the SK Group's AI data center story, the robotics bounce, the semiconductor outlook, and macro risks, ultimately recommending accumulation of Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, semiconductor equipment/materials, and select undervalued names.

• KOSPI hit 7,166 before reversing to close up only 0.7% on profit-taking and oil-led macro jitters.
• Lee Kwon-hee and Jang Ho-jin highlighted SK Eternics and SK Telecom as key AI data center plays with massive long-term potential.
• Robotics names surged on Samsung and Hyundai military robot news, but Lee Kwon-hee dismissed the move as a short-lived technical bounce.
• Moon Chul argued the semiconductor sell-off is nearly over, with CTA funds 80-90% done selling, and recommended aggressively buying Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix at depressed valuations.
• Lee Da-sol identified semiconductor equipment/materials as the top sector pick, expecting a Q-cycle upswing, and also favored export-oriented consumer stocks.
• Lee Kwon-hee pointed to BHI and HD Hyundai Marine Engine as undervalued plays in power equipment and marine engines, while also bullish on Naver's AI cloud catalyst.
• Moon Chul forecast WTI crude to fall to $60 post-Iran conflict, and stressed that high rates are not a lasting headwind for AI investment.
• Lee Da-sol urged investors to reduce portfolio breadth and concentrate on high-conviction names, while preserving mental stability amid historically violent volatility.