The benchmark KOSPI fell Monday as renewed tensions in the Middle East sent oil prices higher, while investors remained cautious ahead of earnings announcements from Korea's major chipmakers later this week. The KOSPI closed at 5,469.47, down 1.46 percent, or 80.83 points, from the previous session. Foreign investors sold a net 6.955 trillion won ($5.26 billion) worth of shares, while institutional and retail investors bought a net 6.11 trillion won and 474 billion won, respectively. Blue-chip stocks also closed lower. SK hynix fell 2,000 won to 1,275,000 won, while Samsung Electronics dropped 2,500 won to 213,000 won. Renewed tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment, with reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was considering resuming strikes on Iran, fueling concerns over escalating conflicts. Brent crude futures hovered around $115 a barrel after rising about 6 percent last week on fears of disruptions to energy supplies. Investors also turned cautious ahead of earnings reports from Korea's two major chipmakers. SK hynix is scheduled to report its third-quarter result