US Market Analysis & Korea Daily Briefing — 2026-08-04
As US markets surge thanks to easing Iran tensions and lower oil prices, the Korean market is shaking off volatility to find its footing. Today, all eyes are on foreign inflows into semiconductor stocks and currency fluctuations.
US Market Analysis & Korea Daily Briefing — 2026-08-04
US Market Summary
S&P 500 up 1.48%, Dow up 1.32% as records are broken Yesterday (August 3), the US stock market saw a broad rally after President Trump announced a halt to attacks on Iran, which cooled geopolitical risks and sent oil prices tumbling. The S&P 500 closed near record highs, while the Nasdaq jumped 2.13%.
Lower oil prices ease inflation fears The sharp drop in oil prices significantly quieted Wall Street’s inflation anxieties. With bond yields also easing, the environment has become much friendlier for growth and tech stocks.
Tech-led rally and increased trading The Nasdaq’s 2.13% gain reflects strong earnings reports from tech companies and growing expectations for interest rate cuts driven by the decline in oil prices.
Key Themes and Issues in the Korean Market
Theme 1: Normalizing volatility and recovery in large-cap semiconductor stocks Having moved past peak volatility, the Korean market is stabilizing, led by major semiconductor names like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The strength of the US market and the drop in oil prices are improving investor sentiment toward tech, setting the stage for further gains if foreign net buying continues.
Theme 2: Currency fluctuations and shifting foreign investor flows The KRW/USD exchange rate remains the key driver for foreign investor movement in the Korean market. A strong dollar raises concerns for Korean exporters, while a weaker dollar tends to attract foreign capital. Monitoring the exchange rate today will be a critical signal for trading.
Theme 3: August market pacing and volatility management After the rapid ups and downs of last week, the Korean market is expected to exit its "panic mode" and see a gradual recovery throughout August. However, keep an eye on variables like AI earnings performance and upcoming global economic indicators, including US employment data.
Today’s Picks
Samsung Electronics (KOSPI Large-cap) Recommended due to the tech rally in the US and growing earnings expectations linked to improved demand for memory semiconductors. There is room for further upside if foreign net buying transitions fully.
SK Hynix (KOSPI Large-cap) Well-positioned to benefit from the early stages of recovery in the semiconductor industry; the strength in the US market is a positive indicator.
Materials and Chemicals (Thematic Trading) Materials companies are drawing interest as the drop in oil prices may lower their cost burdens. A recovery in the broader economy could lead to improved profitability for these firms.
Note: This briefing is for informational purposes only; all investment decisions are the sole responsibility of the investor.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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