Why did Seoul shares narrow their losses late Friday morning?

Investors were taking profits while also buying major technology stocks ahead of the holiday. The article says gains in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix helped trim the market's earlier losses.

What were the KOSPI and won trading levels in Seoul at 11:20 a.m.?

The KOSPI stood at 6,977.07, up 0.24 percent after opening lower. The Korean won was at 1,359 won against the U.S. dollar, slightly stronger than the previous session.

Which major stocks were moving in Seoul's late-morning trade?

Samsung Electronics inched up 0.09 percent and SK hynix gained 0.44 percent. SK Square and Samsung Electro-Mechanics moved lower, showing a mixed tone among large-cap shares.

Seoul shares narrow losses late Fri. morning on tech gains

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Summary

Seoul shares narrowed losses late Friday morning as investors bought major technology stocks ahead of a holiday. The KOSPI rose 0.24 percent to 6,977.07 at 11:20 a.m. after opening lower, and the market will be closed Monday for a national holiday. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both traded higher, while the Korean won strengthened slightly against the U.S. dollar.

Key Facts

The KOSPI was at 6,977.07 at 11:20 a.m., up 16.72 points or 0.24 percent after opening 0.47 percent lower.
The Korean won was trading at 1,359 won against the U.S. dollar at 11:20 a.m., up 0.6 won from the previous session's close.
Overnight U.S. stocks ended modestly higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.04 percent, the S and P 500 up 0.19 percent, and the Nasdaq composite up 0.04 percent.
Samsung Electronics rose 0.09 percent and SK hynix gained 0.44 percent, while SK Square fell 0.43 percent and Samsung Electro-Mechanics dipped 0.13 percent.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 2, 2026 9:28 am KST
Updated Oct 2, 2026 11:43 am KST

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

Seoul shares narrowed their losses late Friday morning as investors engaged in profit-taking while scooping up major technology stocks ahead of the holiday.

After opening 0.47 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 16.72 points, or 0.24 percent, to 6,977.07 as of 11:20 a.m.

The market will be closed Monday for a national holiday.

Overnight, U.S. stocks finished modestly higher as benchmark Treasury yields eased from fresh multi-decade highs, although gains were capped by rising crude oil prices.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.04 percent, while the benchmark S&P 500 gained 0.19 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite added 0.04 percent.

In Seoul, market heavyweights were trading mixed.

Top market cap Samsung Electronics inched up 0.09 percent, and chip giant SK hynix gained 0.44 percent.

SK Square, the parent company of SK hynix, declined 0.43 percent, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electronics component affiliate of Samsung Electronics, inched down 0.13 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,359 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 0.6 won from the previous session's close.

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