Investor sentiment has significantly contracted as the South Korean and U.S. stock markets simultaneously plunged over the weekend. In the Korean stock market, selling pressure expanded centering around major semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks, while the U.S. stock market also experienced strong downward pressure, primarily in tech stocks.

According to the major index trends confirmed on the 7th, the KOSPI closed at 8,038.10, down 478.82 points (5.54%) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ also fell by 47.29 points (4.50%) to 992.80.

The U.S. stock market was not immune to the weakness either. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index plunged by 1,121.53 points (4.18%) to 25,648.47, while the S&P 500 Index dropped by 200.57 points (2.64%) to 7,368.63. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also declined by 695.15 points (1.35%) to 50,781.45. The Russell 2000 Index, which focuses on small- and mid-cap stocks, also fell by 3.47%, demonstrating an overall contraction in investor sentiment toward risk assets.

Investors are increasingly on alert as stocks that recently led the global stock markets—such as Nvidia, as well as AI server, data center, and semiconductor equipment-related companies—face profit-taking pressures. In particular, there are suggestions that the widening decline of the Nasdaq could act as a burden on AI and semiconductor-related stocks as a whole.

Market analysts suggest that the psychology of avoiding global risk assets is having a larger short-term impact. However, it is evaluated that in the long term, the visit of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to Korea could serve as a positive catalyst.

Consequently, market attention is also focused on CEO Jensen Huang's schedule for his visit to Korea. During his visit, CEO Jensen Huang threw the first pitch at a game between the Doosan Bears and Kiwoom Heroes, showing an approachable side by dancing in the stands.

The industry is evaluating that this visit could be the starting signal for expanding cooperation in AI infrastructure, physical AI, and the robotics industry, going beyond a simple event level. CEO Jensen Huang recently evaluated Korea as a global manufacturing hub, emphasizing the potential for collaboration with Korean companies in the fields of robotics and physical AI.

[This article was written based on publicly available market data, industry trends, corporate disclosures, and related information. During the writing process, artificial intelligence (AI) was utilized for data organization and drafting, and the final content was completed through the editorial board's review and fact-checking process. This article is intended to provide general investment information and is not a solicitation for investment. Investment decisions and responsibilities lie with the investor, and this publication does not bear any legal or financial responsibility for them.]