KOSPI closes flat on Friday

⑴ The Korea Composite Stock Price Index closed nearly flat on Friday at 5,585 points. A pullback in oil prices helped stabilize market sentiment after an early decline. ⑵ After surging above $80 per barrel due to escalating tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran, global crude oil benchmarks such as Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate crude retreated slightly later in the week. The correction in oil prices eased urgent concerns about energy-driven inflation, providing some support to the stock market. ⑶ However, as geopolitical risks in the Middle East continue to overshadow the outlook for global energy supplies, especially around the Strait of Hormuz, gains in the stock index remained limited. ⑷ Meanwhile, South Korean authorities stated that, as rising fuel prices could increase inflationary pressures, they will closely monitor volatility in the financial and energy markets and take preemptive measures if necessary. ⑸ In terms of individual stocks, Samsung Electronics fell 1.77%, SK Hynix dropped 2.13%, and SK Square declined 2.47%, leading the losses in the broader market. Hyundai Motor rose 0.55%, and LG Energy Solution gained 1.35%.