Why did Seoul shares give up some of their earlier gains on Tuesday morning?

Profit-taking weighed on the market as hopes faded for a deal to end the war between the United States and Iran. Elevated oil prices also stoked inflation concerns, adding to the cautious mood.

How did foreign investors and local investors trade KOSPI stocks late Tuesday morning?

Foreigners bought a net 1.07 trillion won worth of shares. Retail investors and institutions were net sellers, offloading 804.7 billion won and 219.9 billion won, respectively.

Which stocks led gains and losses in Seoul trading on Tuesday morning?

Tech stocks led the advance, with Samsung Electronics up 0.46 percent and SK hynix up 4.07 percent. Among decliners, Hyundai Motor fell 1.77 percent and Hanwha Aerospace lost 1.55 percent.

Seoul shares trim earlier gains late Tuesday morning as investors lock in gains

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Summary

Seoul shares trimmed earlier gains late Tuesday morning as investors locked in profits amid fading hopes for a deal to end the war between the United States and Iran. The benchmark KOSPI was up 48.32 points, or 0.69 percent, at 7,026.26 as of 11:20 a.m. Tech stocks led gains, while the won traded at 1,411.45 against the U.S. dollar.

Key Facts

Retail investors sold a net 804.7 billion won worth of stocks, and institutions sold a net 219.9 billion won, while foreigners bought a net 1.07 trillion won.
Samsung Electronics rose 0.46 percent and SK hynix jumped 4.07 percent.
SK Innovation climbed 3.11 percent and HMM surged 6.12 percent, while Hyundai Motor fell 1.77 percent and Hanwha Aerospace declined 1.55 percent.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 18, 2026 9:32 am KST
Updated Aug 18, 2026 11:46 am KST

A stock ticker in the dealing room at Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul shows the KOSPI indices, Tuesday. Yonhap

Seoul shares trimmed earlier gains late Tuesday morning on profit-taking amid fading hopes for a deal to end the war between the United States and Iran.

After opening 2 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) pared its gains to trade 48.32 points, or 0.69 percent, higher at 7,026.26 as of 11:20 a.m.

Retail investors and institutions sold a net 804.7 billion won (US$570 million) and 219.9 billion won worth of stocks, respectively, while foreigners bought a net 1.07 trillion won.

Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 0.51 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite declined 0.32 percent.

Elevated oil prices stoked inflation concerns, while prospects for a deal with Iran dimmed after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was not interested in extending an agreement with Iran that was set to expire.

In Seoul, tech stocks continued to lead gains.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 0.46 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix jumped 4.07 percent.

Leading refiner SK Innovation climbed 3.11 percent, and shipping firm HMM surged 6.12 percent.

Among decliners, top carmaker Hyundai Motor fell 1.77 percent and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace declined 1.55 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,411.45 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 4.15 won from the previous stock market session's close.

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