Why did Seoul stocks edge lower Tuesday morning?

Rising oil prices and renewed Middle East tensions lifted inflation concerns and pushed U.S. Treasury yields higher. Those worries weighed on Korean shares even as chipmakers recovered some ground.

Which Korean stocks moved the most in late Tuesday morning trading?

Samsung Electronics rose 1.48 percent and SK hynix edged up 0.4 percent, while Hyundai Motor fell 2.12 percent and LG Energy Solution declined 3.43 percent. The moves showed a split between chipmakers and other large-cap names.

What were the key market levels for KOSPI, the won, and U.S. Treasury yields?

KOSPI stood at 6,876.98 at 11:20 a.m., and the won traded at 1,359.6 per dollar, up 0.3 won from the previous close. In the U.S. bond market, the 10-year yield reached 5.23 percent and the 30-year yield 5.55 percent.

Seoul stocks slightly lower late Tuesday morning on inflation woes

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Summary

Korean stocks traded slightly lower late Tuesday morning in Seoul as rising oil prices and Middle East tensions fed inflation concerns and pushed U.S. Treasury yields higher. The KOSPI fell 12.76 points, or 0.19 percent, to 6,876.98 at 11:20 a.m. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix rose, while Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution declined. The won was trading at 1,359.6 per dollar, up 0.3 won from the previous close.

Key Facts

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 12.76 points, or 0.19 percent, to 6,876.98 as of 11:20 a.m.
The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to 5.23 percent, while the 30-year yield climbed to 5.55 percent, near multiyear highs.
The S&P 500 fell 0.77 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.67 percent, and the Nasdaq composite decreased 0.92 percent overnight.
Samsung Electronics gained 1.48 percent and SK hynix edged up 0.4 percent, while Hyundai Motor fell 2.12 percent and LG Energy Solution declined 3.43 percent.
The Korean won was trading at 1,359.6 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 0.3 won from the previous session's close.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 29, 2026 9:30 am KST
Updated Sep 29, 2026 11:37 am KST

The benchmark KOSPI is diplayed at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Korean stocks traded slightly lower late Tuesday morning as rising oil prices fueled inflation concerns and lifted U.S. Treasury yields amid Middle East tensions.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 12.76 points, or 0.19 percent, to 6,876.98 as of 11:20 a.m.

Overnight, U.S. stocks retreated as renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran drove crude oil prices higher, fueling concerns that higher energy costs could keep inflation and interest rates high.

Treasury yields extended their climb, with the benchmark 10-year yield rising to 5.23 percent and the 30-year yield climbing to 5.55 percent, hovering around multiyear highs.

The S&P 500 fell 0.77 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.67 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite decreased 0.92 percent.

Market heavyweights were mixed.

Chipmakers gained ground, recouping some of the sharp losses from the previous session.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 1.48 percent, and chip giant SK hynix edged up 0.4 percent.

In contrast, leading automaker Hyundai Motor fell 2.12 percent, while battery maker LG Energy Solution declined 3.43 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,359.6 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 0.3 won from the previous stock trading session's close.

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