The **South Korean stock market** opened lower on Tuesday, as **investors** exhibited heightened caution amid escalating **inflation concerns** and an **overnight slump in major US technology stocks**.
The nation’s **benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI)** recorded a notable decline at the opening bell, shedding 90.38 points, or 1.2 percent, to settle at 7,425.66.
This cautious **market sentiment** mirrored developments in **overnight US stock trading**, where **markets** closed mixed. **Investor caution** was significantly influenced by US President Donald Trump’s statement regarding the postponement of a planned attack on Iran, following requests from Gulf leaders. Concurrently, a sharp surge in **crude oil prices** exacerbated **market anxiety** and intensified worries surrounding **long-term inflation**.
Examining the **US market performance**, the **Dow Jones Industrial Average** managed a modest gain of 0.32 percent. In contrast, the **S&P 500** experienced a slight dip of 0.07 percent, while the **tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index** registered a more pronounced loss of 0.51 percent.
Several **prominent US technology giants**, including **Apple** and **Microsoft**, concluded the trading day with losses, contributing to the broader tech sector’s downturn. Furthermore, **global investors** are keenly anticipating the crucial **earnings report** from **AI chip manufacturing leader Nvidia** scheduled for later this week, a report expected to significantly impact **technology stock valuations** and **overall market sentiment**.
