Why did Seoul stocks rise at the open on Wednesday?

Semiconductor shares led the gains after the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose overnight. The broader mood was still restrained by elevated U.S. Treasury yields, but chip stocks helped push the KOSPI higher.

How much did Samsung Electronics and SK hynix rise in early Wednesday trading?

Samsung Electronics rose 1.1 percent, while SK hynix gained 2.32 percent. SK Square, the parent company of SK hynix, also added 2.33 percent, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics increased 1.51 percent.

What was the Korean won trading at against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday morning?

The won was trading at 1,351 per U.S. dollar, which was 3 won stronger than at the close of the previous stock trading session. The currency move came alongside a firmer start for Seoul shares.

Seoul stocks open higher on chip gains

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Summary

Seoul stocks opened higher Wednesday as chip gains lifted the market, with the benchmark KOSPI up 1.17 percent to 6,951.27 at 9:15 a.m. Elevated U.S. Treasury yields weighed on sentiment, but semiconductor shares rose after the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index advanced overnight. Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, SK Square, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics all traded higher, while the won strengthened to 1,351 per dollar.

Key Facts

The KOSPI climbed 80.46 points, or 1.17 percent, to 6,951.27 as of 9:15 a.m. Wednesday.
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 1.32 percent overnight, giving a positive cue to Korean chipmakers.
Samsung Electronics gained 1.1 percent and SK hynix rose 2.32 percent in early trading.
SK Square increased 2.33 percent and Samsung Electro-Mechanics added 1.51 percent.
The Korean won was trading at 1,351 against the U.S. dollar, up 3 won from the previous stock trading session.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 30, 2026 9:28 am KST

Officials work at a dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Seoul stocks opened higher Wednesday, tracking overnight gains in U.S. semiconductor shares, though elevated U.S. Treasury yields weighed on the investor sentiment.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or KOSPI, gained 80.46 points, or 1.17 percent, to 6,951.27 as of 9:15 a.m.

Overnight, U.S. stocks ended slightly lower despite a decline in oil prices, as persistently high Treasury yields continued to weigh on investor sentiment.

Semiconductor shares, however, bucked the broader weakness. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 1.32 percent, providing a positive cue for Korean chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.17 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.26 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite ticked down 0.09 percent.

Market heavyweights were mostly higher.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 1.1 percent, while chip giant SK hynix gained 2.32 percent.

SK Square, the parent company of SK hynix, added 2.33 percent, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electronics component affiliate of Samsung Electronics, increased 1.51 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,351 won against the U.S. dollar, up 3 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

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