Which stocks led gains in the Seoul market on Wednesday morning?

Samsung Electronics rose 0.6 percent and SK hynix gained 1.45 percent, making them the main drivers of the advance. POSCO International and LG Energy Solution also moved higher, helping offset declines in Hyundai Motor and Korean Air.

How did foreign investors, institutions, and the won move in Seoul trading on Wednesday morning?

Institutions were net buyers of 388.99 billion won, while foreign investors and retail investors sold a net 922.78 billion won and 126.95 billion won, respectively. The Korean won weakened to 1,369.75 per dollar, down 5.15 won from the previous session.

Seoul shares turn higher late Wednesday morning on tech gains

Q: Why did Seoul shares rise late Wednesday morning on September 16, 2026?

Technology stocks led the market higher as investors stayed cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision this week. The rise came even after overnight declines on Wall Street and higher U.S. Treasury yields.

Listen

Summary

Seoul shares turned higher late Wednesday morning, led by technology stocks, as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision. The benchmark KOSPI rose 13.21 points, or 0.2 percent, to 6,640.47 at 11:20 a.m. Institutions were net buyers, while foreign and retail investors sold. The won weakened to 1,369.75 per dollar.

Key Facts

Institutions bought a net 388.99 billion won worth of shares, while foreign investors sold 922.78 billion won and retail investors sold 126.95 billion won.
Samsung Electronics rose 0.6 percent and SK hynix climbed 1.45 percent, leading the market’s gains.
POSCO International gained 2.55 percent and LG Energy Solution added 0.68 percent.
Hyundai Motor fell 2.04 percent and Korean Air lost 1.7 percent.
The Korean won was quoted at 1,369.75 won against the U.S. dollar, down 5.15 won from the previous stock trading session.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 16, 2026 9:51 am KST
Updated Sep 16, 2026 11:49 am KST

The won-dollar exchange rate and the KOSPI indices are displayed on a screen at the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Seoul shares turned higher late Wednesday morning, led by gains in technology stocks, as investors remained cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision this week.

After opening 0.24 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved higher, trading 13.21 points, or 0.2 percent, higher to 6,640.47 as of 11:20 a.m.

Institutions bought a net 388.99 billion won ($284 million) worth of shares, while foreign investors and retail investors offloaded a net 922.78 billion won and 126.95 billion won, respectively.

Overnight, U.S. stocks declined, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.63 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite losing 0.78 percent.

A key Saudi oil pipeline was hit in an attack and went out of service this week, while Yemen's Houthi rebels seized more islands along Red Sea shipping routes.

The tensions in the Middle East pushed Brent crude futures, the international oil benchmark, up more than 2 percent to above $108 a barrel Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note also rose above 5 percent for the first time since July 2007, raising expectations that the Fed could raise interest rates Thursday.

In Seoul, tech stocks led the gains.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 0.6 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix climbed 1.45 percent.

POSCO International, the trading and energy arm of POSCO Group, jumped 2.55 percent, and leading battery maker LG Energy Solution climbed 0.68 percent.

Among decliners, top carmaker Hyundai Motor fell 2.04 percent, and national flag carrier Korean Air lost 1.7 percent.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,369.75 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., down 5.15 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

Explore More