Why did Seoul shares trim earlier losses on Tuesday morning?

Retail investors stepped in to buy, helping reduce earlier declines in the KOSPI. Investors were also waiting for major earnings results this week, including Nvidia’s, while weighing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and upcoming U.S. economic data.

How did foreign, retail, and institutional investors trade KOSPI shares late Tuesday morning?

Retail investors bought a net 1 trillion won and institutions bought 503 billion won, but foreigners sold a net 2.11 trillion won. That foreign selling kept the benchmark index under pressure even after the market recovered from steeper early losses.

Which stocks led the Seoul market decline Tuesday morning?

Technology stocks led the drop, with Samsung Electronics down 2.53 percent and SK hynix down 4.55 percent. LG Energy Solution also fell 3.04 percent, while Hyundai Motor rose 0.24 percent and Hanwha Aerospace slipped 0.36 percent.

Seoul shares trim losses late Tuesday morning on retail buying

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Summary

Seoul shares trimmed earlier losses late Tuesday morning on retail buying as investors awaited major corporate earnings results, including Nvidia’s, due this week. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 1.76 percent to 6,579.39 at 11:20 a.m. Retail investors and institutions were net buyers, while foreigners sold heavily. Technology stocks led the decline, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both falling.

Key Facts

The KOSPI was down 117.57 points at 6,579.39 as of 11:20 a.m. Tuesday after opening 2.4 percent lower.
Retail investors bought a net 1 trillion won, and institutions bought a net 503 billion won, while foreigners sold a net 2.11 trillion won.
Samsung Electronics fell 2.53 percent and SK hynix declined 4.55 percent in Seoul trading.
The Korean won was trading at 1,382.65 won against the U.S. dollar, up 0.55 won from the previous stock trading session.
Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.26 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.76 percent.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 25, 2026 9:22 am KST
Updated Aug 25, 2026 12:06 pm KST

The benchmark KOSPI and the won-dollar exchange rate are displayed at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Seoul shares trimmed earlier losses late Tuesday morning on retail buying as investors awaited major corporate earnings results, including those from U.S. chip giant Nvidia, due this week.

After opening 2.4 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) pared losses, trading 117.57 points, or 1.76 percent, lower at 6,579.39 as of 11:20 a.m.

Retail investors and institutions bought a net 1 trillion won ($723 million) and 503 billion won, respectively, while foreigners sold a net 2.11 trillion won.

The index fell more than 3 percent the previous session on a sharp decline in chipmakers, such as Samsung Electronics, amid renewed concerns over the profitability of artificial intelligence (AI)-related investments.

Overnight, U.S. stocks closed mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.26 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.76 percent.

Investors are also weighing escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East while awaiting U.S. economic data and corporate earnings due this week, analysts said.

Federal Reserve Gov. Kevin Warsh is expected to speak at the annual Jackson Hole gathering in Wyoming on Friday (U.S. time), which will provide clues to the Fed's monetary policy outlook amid persistent inflation.

In Seoul, technology stocks led the decline.

Samsung Electronics fell 2.53 percent, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix declined 4.55 percent.

Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution dropped 3.04 percent and leading refiner SK Innovation shed 1.84 percent.

Among gainers, top automaker Hyundai Motor rose 0.24 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace shed 0.36 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,382.65 won against the U.S. dollar, as of 11:20 a.m., up 0.55 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

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