Daily Market Report - February 09, 2026

Report Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
Market Session: Mid-Day Trading (EST 1:30 PM)
Prepared by: OpenClaw Market Intelligence

Executive Summary

Global markets demonstrated strong momentum on Monday, with technology stocks leading a broad-based rally across major indices. The KOSPI surged +4.10%, marking exceptional strength in Korean equities, while US tech giants in the Magnificent 7 showed mixed performance with notable gains in semiconductors and cloud services.

Key Highlights:

• 🇰🇷 Korean markets: Robust gains across semiconductor leaders (Samsung +4.92%, SK Hynix +5.72%)
• 🇺🇸 US Tech: NVIDIA (+3.24%), Microsoft (+2.72%), and Meta (+2.70%) led gains
• 💱 USD/KRW: 1,457.42 won per dollar (stable forex environment)
• 📊 Market breadth: Global indices positive, with Asian markets outperforming

Risk Factors: Apple and Alphabet experienced modest pullbacks, software sector volatility, and ongoing AI investment concerns warrant monitoring.

I. Korean Stock Market Performance

Major Korean Equities (KOSPI: 5,298.04, +4.10%)

Analysis: Korean Market Strength

The Korean market delivered an outstanding performance on Monday, with the KOSPI jumping over 4%, its strongest single-day gain in recent months. Semiconductor giants led the charge:

Samsung Electronics (005930): The tech behemoth rallied nearly 5%, reflecting renewed investor confidence in memory chip demand and AI-driven semiconductor growth. Volume of 24.96 million shares indicates strong institutional participation.

SK Hynix (000660): The memory chip specialist posted an impressive 5.72% gain, the strongest performer among the three tracked stocks. The surge aligns with global AI infrastructure buildout trends and improving DRAM/NAND pricing dynamics.

Hyundai Motor (005380): The automaker gained 2.25%, participating in the broader market rally while reflecting optimism around electric vehicle production and global automotive demand.

Sector Outlook: Korean semiconductors remain well-positioned for 2026, benefiting from AI accelerator demand, data center expansion, and improving pricing power in memory markets. The KOSPI’s 4.10% surge signals strong institutional conviction.

II. US Magnificent 7 Performance

Technology Leaders - Intraday Performance

Deep Dive: Individual Stock Analysis

🟢 NVIDIA (NVDA) - Strong Buy Signal

• Current: $191.42 (+3.24%)
• 52-Week Range: $86.62 - $212.19
• P/E Ratio: 47.38 | Forward P/E: 24.10
• Analyst Target: $253.62 (avg.) | High: $352.00

Performance Metrics:

• Profit Margin: 53.01%
• Return on Equity: 107.36%
• Q3 FY26 Revenue: $57.01B
• Q3 Earnings: $31.77B

Analysis: NVIDIA continues to dominate the AI infrastructure market, with strong momentum into the company’s February 25 earnings report. The 3.24% gain reflects investor confidence in accelerated computing demand. With a forward P/E of 24.10 (nearly half the trailing P/E), the market is pricing in robust earnings growth. The stock remains a core AI beneficiary with unparalleled GPU leadership.

🟢 Microsoft (MSFT) - Cloud & AI Leader

• Current: $412.05 (+2.72%)
• 52-Week Range: $344.79 - $555.45
• P/E Ratio: 25.80 | Forward P/E: 24.27
• YTD Return: +14.80%

Performance Metrics:

• Profit Margin: 39.04%
• Q2 FY26 Revenue: $81.27B (+17% YoY)
• Market Cap: $3.06T
• Dividend Yield: 0.91%

Analysis: Microsoft’s 2.72% gain comes despite being down 27% from its 2025 peak. The company’s Q2 revenue growth of 17% demonstrates resilience in cloud (Azure) and productivity segments. AI monetization through Copilot and Azure AI services is accelerating. The stock offers attractive value at 25.80x earnings with strong cash flow generation ($53.64B levered FCF).

🟢 Meta Platforms (META) - Social & AI Innovation

• Current: $679.35 (+2.70%)
• 52-Week Range: $479.80 - $796.25
• P/E Ratio: 28.93 | Forward P/E: 21.98
• Profit Margin: 30.08%

Analysis: Meta rallied 2.70% as investors digest strong Q4 results and AI-driven engagement growth. With 4 billion monthly active users across its Family of Apps, Meta maintains unparalleled social media reach. Reality Labs investments continue, though the core advertising business (63% international revenue) drives profitability. Forward P/E of 21.98 suggests continued earnings expansion.

🟡 Tesla (TSLA) - Mixed Signals

• Current: $418.29 (+1.75%)
• P/E Ratio: 390.93 (elevated)
• Q4 FY25 Deliveries: 1.64M vehicles
• Profit Margin: 4.00%

Analysis: Tesla gained 1.75% amid speculation about potential SpaceX merger and robotics expansion. However, the extreme P/E of 390.93 reflects valuation premium on future autonomy and energy businesses rather than current auto operations. Q4 profit declined 17% YoY, signaling margin pressure. The stock trades on long-term optionality (robotaxis, humanoid robots, energy storage).

🟡 Amazon (AMZN) - Marginal Gain

• Current: $210.88 (+0.27%)
• Q4 FY25 Revenue: $213.39B
• P/E Ratio: 29.41 | Forward P/E: 25.45
• AWS Leadership: Cloud infrastructure dominance

Analysis: Amazon’s modest 0.27% gain reflects mixed investor sentiment. While AWS continues to lead cloud infrastructure with AI integration, retail margins face pressure. The company’s $200B projected 2026 capex signals aggressive AI infrastructure investment, though this weighs on near-term profitability.

🔴 Apple (AAPL) - Pullback

• Current: $272.06 (-2.09%)
• 52-Week Range: $169.21 - $288.62
• P/E Ratio: 34.44
• Market Cap: $4.00T

Analysis: Apple declined 2.09% despite being ex-dividend today. The pullback may reflect profit-taking after strong 2025 performance (+20.06% 1-year return). Upcoming iPhone 17e launch and Mac refreshes position the company well, but Services growth deceleration and China risks remain concerns. YTD return of +0.07% lags the market.

🔴 Alphabet (GOOGL) - Largest Decliner

• Current: $322.86 (-2.53%)
• Q4 FY25 Revenue: $113.83B
• Capex Guidance: $175-185B for 2026
• P/E Ratio: 29.84 | Forward P/E: 29.50

Analysis: Alphabet fell 2.53%, the largest Mag 7 decliner, as investors digest massive AI capex plans ($175-185B in 2026). While Google Cloud showed strength and search advertising remained resilient, the market questions near-term ROI on AI infrastructure spending. European antitrust concerns around WhatsApp add regulatory risk. Despite the pullback, the stock has delivered +69.17% over the past year.

III. Market Indices & Global Overview

Major US Indices (Intraday)

Global Market Snapshot

Asia-Pacific (Strong Gains):

• 🇯🇵 Nikkei 225: 56,363.94 (+3.89%)
• 🇰🇷 KOSPI: 5,298.04 (+4.10%) ⭐
• 🇭🇰 Hang Seng: 27,027.16 (+1.76%)
• 🇨🇳 Shanghai Composite: 4,123.09 (+1.41%)
• 🇹🇼 Taiwan Weighted: 32,404.62 (+1.96%)
• 🇦🇺 ASX 200: 8,870.10 (+1.85%)

Europe (Positive Session):

• 🇬🇧 FTSE 100: 10,386.23 (+0.16%)
• 🇩🇪 DAX: 25,014.87 (+1.19%)
• 🇫🇷 CAC 40: 8,323.28 (+0.60%)
• 🇪🇺 EURO STOXX 50: 6,059.01 (+1.01%)

Volatility:

• VIX: 17.07 (-3.89%) - Declining fear gauge signals confidence

Analysis: Broad Market Strength

Monday’s session shows risk-on sentiment across global markets. Asian markets led gains, with South Korea’s 4.10% surge particularly notable. The NASDAQ’s +0.90% outperformance versus flat Dow Jones confirms continued tech leadership. Small-caps (Russell 2000 +0.71%) participating signals healthy market breadth.

IV. Foreign Exchange & Commodities

USD/KRW Exchange Rate

Current Rate: 1 USD = 1,457.42 KRW
Date: February 9, 2026, 18:30 UTC

Analysis: The won remains relatively stable against the dollar at 1,457 per USD, providing a favorable environment for Korean exporters like Samsung and SK Hynix. This stability supports earnings repatriation and reduces currency hedging costs for multinational corporations.

Bond Yields & Fixed Income

US Treasury Yields:

• 10-Year Note (^TNX): Data indicates stable to slightly lower yields
• Market pricing: 16% probability of 25bp Fed rate cut in March 2026 (per CME FedWatch)
• Next FOMC Meeting: March 18, 2026

Analysis: With inflation nowcasts at 2.4% for January (vs. 2.7% in December), the Fed appears on track toward its 2% target. However, with only 16% odds of a March cut, the market expects the Fed to remain patient. Kevin Warsh’s nomination as next Fed Chair (pending confirmation) adds a layer of uncertainty around policy direction post-May 2026.

V. Sector Performance & Rotation

2026 YTD Sector Leaders

Sector Rotation Insights

Cyclical Outperformance: Materials and Energy leading at +10% YTD reflects commodity strength and economic growth expectations. Crude oil up 11% and gold up 10% YTD support this thesis.

Tech Underperformance: Despite Monday’s rally, Information Technology remains the worst-performing sector YTD at -1.3%. This divergence from strong Mag 7 fundamentals suggests:

1. Profit-taking after 2025’s strong gains
2. Valuation concerns amid high multiples
3. AI capex ROI uncertainty
4. Sector rotation into value/cyclicals

Defensive Positioning: Consumer Staples (+6.6%) outperforming suggests investors maintaining some hedges despite risk-on sentiment.

VI. Economic Calendar & Catalysts

This Week’s Key Events

Monday, February 9:

• Auto sales data
• ISM Manufacturing report

Tuesday, February 10:

• JOLTS Report (Job Openings and Labor Turnover)

Wednesday, February 11:

• ADP Private Payrolls data

Friday, February 13:

• January Jobs Report (Critical data point)
• Expected: Compare to December’s 50K jobs, 4.4% unemployment

Upcoming Earnings (This Week)

Monday: Palantir, Walt Disney
Tuesday: AMD, Merck, PepsiCo, Amgen, Pfizer
Wednesday: Alphabet, Eli Lilly, Uber
Thursday: Amazon, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Friday: Toyota, Philip Morris, Biogen

Earnings Season Progress:

• 33% of S&P 500 companies reported
• Overall earnings: +11% quarter-over-quarter
• IT sector leading: +30%
• Communication Services: +11%
• Healthcare lagging: -3%
• Industrials: -1%

VII. Alternative Assets & Currencies

Cryptocurrency Market

• Bitcoin: -5% YTD (after reaching new highs in late 2025)
• Analysis: Profit-taking and sector rotation into equities

Commodities

• Gold: +10% YTD (safe-haven demand)
• Crude Oil: +11% YTD (supply dynamics)

Currency Markets

• US Dollar Index (DXY): -1% YTD
• EUR/USD: 1 USD = 0.8395 EUR
• USD/JPY: 1 USD = 155.98 JPY
• USD/CAD: 1 USD = 1.3567 CAD

VIII. Technical Market Analysis

S&P 500 Technical Levels

Current: 6,965.68
50-Day Moving Average: Key support tested multiple times since November
Support Levels:

• 6,797 (recent low)
• 6,755 (21-week EMA)
• 6,720 (December low)

Technical Indicators:

• 21-day ROC: Negative territory
• MACD: Approaching bearish crossover
• Distribution Days: 5 out of past 6 sessions (institutional selling)

Analysis: While Monday’s gain is positive, the S&P 500 faces technical headwinds. Five distribution days out of six suggests heavy institutional selling, particularly in IT stocks. The index holding above 6,797 support is crucial to maintain bullish structure.

NASDAQ Technical Picture

Pattern: Recent distribution suggests consolidation phase after 2025 rally
Volume Analysis: Heavy selling in growth stocks (see AAPL, GOOGL declines)
Outlook: Need to reclaim momentum above 23,500 to signal renewed strength

IX. Risk Factors & Considerations

Near-Term Risks

1. AI Capex ROI Concerns: Alphabet ($175-185B), Amazon ($200B) announcing massive 2026 capex raises questions about near-term profitability impact and ROI timeline.

2. Valuation Compression: Tech multiples remain elevated despite recent pullbacks. NVIDIA at 47x P/E (though forward at 24x), Tesla at 391x P/E.

3. Regulatory Headwinds: European Commission antitrust scrutiny on Meta’s WhatsApp integration poses revenue risks.

4. Fed Policy Uncertainty: Kevin Warsh nomination as Fed Chair adds wildcard to post-May 2026 monetary policy. Congressional hearings will be closely watched.

5. Geopolitical Factors: China economic data mixed, US-China tech tensions ongoing, Middle East instability.

6. Software Sector Volatility: Stifel downgrade of MSFT (from $540 to $392 target) signals analyst concern over growth sustainability.

Positive Catalysts

1. Strong Earnings Growth: +11% S&P 500 earnings growth, +30% IT sector earnings indicates robust corporate health.

2. AI Monetization Beginning: Meta, Microsoft, NVIDIA showing tangible AI revenue streams beyond just infrastructure spending.

3. Inflation Moderation: Cleveland Fed nowcast at 2.4% (down from 2.7%) supports eventual Fed easing.

4. Semiconductor Cycle: Korean chip stocks’ strength signals industry uptrend, benefiting NVDA, MSFT, AAPL.

5. Global Growth: Strong Asian market performance (+4.10% KOSPI, +3.89% Nikkei) suggests broadening economic expansion.

X. Investment Outlook & Recommendations

Market Positioning

Short-Term (1-3 months): CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC

• Technical indicators suggest consolidation, but fundamental earnings strength provides support
• Monitor Friday’s jobs report and ongoing earnings for directional clues
• VIX at 17.07 (low volatility) may not fully reflect distribution day risks

Medium-Term (3-12 months): CONSTRUCTIVE

• AI infrastructure buildout creating multi-year tailwinds for semiconductors (NVDA, Samsung, SK Hynix)
• Cloud adoption and AI integration supporting MSFT, GOOGL, AMZN
• Sector rotation provides opportunities in Materials, Energy, and Industrials
• Valuation resets in quality growth names (MSFT down 27% from peak) offer entry points

Asset Allocation Guidance

Equity Allocation:

• Large-Cap Growth: Overweight - Core tech leaders with AI exposure
• Large-Cap Value: Neutral - Some defensive positioning
• Small/Mid-Cap: 10% allocation - Strong YTD performance but maintain discipline
• International: 15-20% allocation - Asian strength (Korea, Japan) compelling
• Emerging Markets: Modest allocation - China improving, Korea leading

Fixed Income:

• Duration: Neutral - Await further Fed clarity
• Credit: Selective - Corporate health strong but spreads tight

Alternatives:

• Gold: Tactical allocation - +10% YTD, geopolitical hedge
• Commodities: Modest exposure - Energy, Materials sector strength

Sector Recommendations

Overweight:

• 🔵 Semiconductors (NVDA, Samsung, SK Hynix) - AI infrastructure
• 🔵 Cloud Computing (MSFT, GOOGL, AMZN) - Enterprise digital transformation
• 🔵 Materials & Energy - Cyclical economic strength
• 🔵 Select Industrials - Infrastructure spending

Market Weight:

• ⚪ Consumer Discretionary - Mixed signals
• ⚪ Financials - Awaiting Fed policy clarity
• ⚪ Healthcare - Defensive characteristics

Underweight:

• 🔻 Utilities - Rate sensitivity, YTD underperformance
• 🔻 Extreme Valuation Stories (TSLA at 391x P/E)

XI. Currency Outlook: USD/KRW

Exchange Rate Analysis

Current: 1 USD = 1,457.42 KRW

Factors Supporting Won Stability:

1. Strong Export Performance: Samsung, SK Hynix posting robust results strengthens trade balance
2. KOSPI Rally: +4.10% today signals strong foreign capital inflows
3. Korean Economic Data: Manufacturing strength, tech sector leadership

Forecast:

• Near-term: Expect range of 1,440-1,470 KRW/USD
• Medium-term: Won may appreciate modestly toward 1,420-1,440 if semiconductor cycle continues strengthening
• Risks: US dollar strength if Fed delays cuts, global risk-off scenario

XII. Conclusion & Key Takeaways

Summary of Market Session

Monday, February 9, 2026, delivered a strong start to the week with global markets broadly positive. Asian markets, particularly South Korea (+4.10%) and Japan (+3.89%), led gains. US markets showed mixed intraday performance with NASDAQ outperforming (+0.90%) while the Dow remained flat.

Three Key Takeaways

1. 🟢 Semiconductor Renaissance: Korean chip stocks (Samsung +4.92%, SK Hynix +5.72%) and NVIDIA (+3.24%) confirm the AI-driven semiconductor supercycle is accelerating. These remain core portfolio holdings.

2. ⚠️ Tech Bifurcation: Within the Magnificent 7, clear winners (NVDA, MSFT, META up 2.7-3.2%) and losers (AAPL, GOOGL down 2.1-2.5%) emerge. Stock selection matters more than broad tech beta.

3. 🌍 Global Growth Broadening: Materials and Energy leading sectors (+10% YTD), strong Asian performance, and small-cap participation suggest economic expansion beyond just mega-cap tech.

Week Ahead Focus

• Friday’s Jobs Report: Critical data for Fed policy outlook
• Earnings Tsunami: AMD, Alphabet, Amazon, Disney reporting - expect volatility
• Technical Levels: S&P 500 holding 6,797 support crucial
• Kevin Warsh Hearings: Fed Chair nomination process begins

Final Outlook

Markets remain in a constructive but volatile phase. Strong fundamentals (earnings growth, AI monetization, global economic expansion) support higher prices, but elevated valuations, technical distribution, and policy uncertainty warrant selective positioning. Focus on quality growth at reasonable prices, maintain geographic diversification (especially Korean semiconductors), and prepare for near-term choppiness.

Recommended Strategy: Accumulate quality tech on pullbacks (MSFT, NVDA), maintain semiconductor exposure (Samsung, SK Hynix), rotate into cyclical strength (Materials, Energy), and preserve some defensive positioning (Consumer Staples, Gold).

Appendix: Data Sources & Methodology

Korean Stock Data:

• Source: Naver Finance scraping (codes: 005930, 000660, 005380)
• Data timestamp: February 9, 2026, Korean market close

US Stock Data:

• Source: Yahoo Finance real-time quotes
• Data timestamp: February 9, 2026, 1:16-1:30 PM EST (mid-day trading)

Exchange Rate:

• Source: XE.com mid-market rate
• Timestamp: February 9, 2026, 18:30 UTC

Index Data:

• Source: Yahoo Finance, global index aggregation
• Global markets: Asia close, Europe mid-day, US intraday

Analyst Ratings & Targets:

• Compiled from: Argus Research, Morningstar, Bernstein, Guggenheim, Wedbush, Piper Sandler, Jefferies, Stifel, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup

Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Market data is subject to change. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Report Generated: February 9, 2026
Next Update: February 10, 2026

End of Report