The global financial markets are showing signs of "war fatigue," as investors increasingly bet on diplomatic resolutions over geopolitical escalations. Despite the high sensitivity to the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, Wall Street closed higher on Monday, driven by renewed optimism for negotiations and a powerhouse performance in the semiconductor sector.
Market Resilience Amid Volatility
Initially, U.S. markets faced pressure during pre-market trading following reports of the U.S. military’s counter-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. However, the sentiment reversed after President Donald Trump hinted at a potential breakthrough, stating he had been contacted by individuals indicating that Iran "wants to make a deal."
The S&P 500 climbed 1.02% to end at 6,886.24, marking its highest level since late February. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 1.23% to 23,183.74, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.63%.
Semiconductor and Tech Rally
The rally was spearheaded by the chip industry. SanDisk skyrocketed 11.83% following the announcement of its inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 index. Intel also surged 4.49%, buoyed by news of its participation in Elon Musk’s "Tera-Fab" projects for SpaceX and Tesla, alongside a new partnership with Google.
Other notable performers included:
-Oracle: Up 12.69%
-Microsoft: Up 3.64%
-Palantir: Up 3.37% (Highlighting its dominance in AI-driven defense)
-Nvidia & Micron: Both saw steady gains of 0.36% and 1.42%, respectively.
Impact on Korean Markets
The positive momentum in New York provides a glimmer of hope for the KOSPI and KOSDAQ. Although the KOSPI closed down 0.86% on the 13th due to regional risks, it recovered significantly toward the end of the session. Samsung Electronics maintained its "200,000 won" support level, while SK Hynix defied the trend by rising over 1%.
Expert Outlook
Market analysts suggest that while the Middle East conflict remains a "short-term noise" factor, the fundamental focus is shifting back to corporate earnings.
"The door for dialogue remains open despite the collapse of recent talks," said Kim Doo-un, a researcher at Hana Securities. "Unless oil prices see a prolonged spike, the market’s spotlight will inevitably return to the semiconductor sector and overall economic performance."
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