Why did Seoul stocks rise at the open on September 3, 2026?

Seoul shares tracked overnight gains on Wall Street and benefited from easing oil prices after Donald Trump played down the prospect of a prolonged conflict with Iran. The report said the softer oil outlook helped ease inflation concerns.

Which stocks led gains and losses in the Seoul market Thursday morning?

Tech stocks led the advance, with Samsung Electronics up 1.2 percent and SK hynix up 1.05 percent. Hyundai Motor rose 0.13 percent and LG Energy Solution gained 1.29 percent, while SK Innovation fell 3.5 percent and SK Telecom dropped 2.74 percent.

What were the KOSPI and won levels around 9:15 a.m. Thursday?

The KOSPI was trading at 6,600.4, up 37.68 points, or 0.57 percent, after opening 1.33 percent higher. The Korean won stood at 1,362.2 won against the U.S. dollar, down 3 won from the previous stock trading session close.

Seoul stocks open higher tracking US gains as oil prices ease

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Summary

Seoul stocks opened higher Thursday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street as oil prices eased. The KOSPI was up 37.68 points, or 0.57 percent, at 6,600.4 as of 9:15 a.m. Tech stocks led gains, while several large-cap names rose and some refiners and telecom shares fell. The Korean won traded at 1,362.2 won against the U.S. dollar, down 3 won from the previous close.

Key Facts

The KOSPI opened 1.33 percent higher before trimming gains to 6,600.4 at 9:15 a.m. The index was up 37.68 points, or 0.57 percent.
The previous session saw the main index plunge 3.99 percent to 6,562.72 amid Middle East tension and concerns about further U.S. Federal Reserve rate hikes.
Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.56 percent and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.45 percent.
Samsung Electronics rose 1.2 percent, SK hynix climbed 1.05 percent, Hyundai Motor gained 0.13 percent and LG Energy Solution added 1.29 percent.
SK Innovation fell 3.5 percent and SK Telecom declined 2.74 percent, while the won was quoted at 1,362.2 won per U.S. dollar, down 3 won from the previous stock trading session close.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 3, 2026 9:26 am KST
Updated Sep 3, 2026 9:31 am KST

A screen at the dealing room of Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul shows the KOSPI and the Kosdaq index, Thursday. Yonhap

Seoul shares opened higher Thursday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, while oil prices eased after U.S. President Donald Trump played down the prospect of a prolonged conflict with Iran.

After opening 1.33 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) trimmed gains, trading 37.68 points, or 0.57 percent, higher at 6,600.4 as of 9:15 a.m.

The main index plunged 3.99 percent to 6,562.72 in the previous session amid concerns about tensions in the Middle East and the possibility of further U.S. Federal Reserve rate hikes.

Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.56 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite gained 0.45 percent.

Trump said renewed U.S. attacks on Iran would likely be short-lived, easing concerns about inflation.

In Seoul, tech stocks led the gains.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 1.2 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix climbed 1.05 percent.

Top carmaker Hyundai Motor gained 0.13 percent, and leading battery maker LG Energy Solution added 1.29 percent.

Among decliners, leading refiner SK Innovation fell 3.5 percent and leading wireless services provider SK Telecom declined 2.74 percent.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,362.2 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 3 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

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