September 8 Closing Market Conditions: Houthi Shock Hits Market End... Semiconductor Fundamentals Actually Improved | Hong Seonae, Kim Jang-yeol, Lee Kwon-hee

Summary

The September 8 closing session turned lower after a Houthi attack on Saudi energy facilities triggered a sharp 2pm selloff. Guests Kim Jang-yeol and Lee Kwon-hee argued the selloff was a geopolitical overreaction and that semiconductor and US-linked nuclear fundamentals remained intact. They highlighted memory and semiconductor equipment, nuclear power value chains, SM Entertainment, and several thematic setups including telecom equipment and SpaceX-related names.

• KOSPI gave up early gains and closed down 0.58% at 6,954 after Houthi attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure; KOSDAQ fell 1.25%.
• Foreigners bought into the late selloff while retail sold heavily, and speakers viewed the sudden geopolitical drop as a buying opportunity.
• Semiconductor positives included Apple's reported Kioxia NAND long-term contract without price caps and upcoming KRX semiconductor index rebalancing.
• Nuclear and construction names remained strong on US energy investment and potential APR1400 adoption for US nuclear plants.
• Lee noted SM Entertainment strengthening on yen strength while HYBE lagged, and Kim flagged Korea's exclusion from ARM's robot standardization platform as negative.
• Telecom equipment and SpaceX-related names were discussed as watch items requiring order or earnings confirmation.