Why did the KOSPI turn lower after opening higher on Tuesday?

Investors took profits after the market opened higher, while rising bond yields, elevated energy costs and renewed inflation concerns pressured sentiment. The KOSPI had initially gained 0.58 percent before declining in early trading.

Which Seoul-listed stocks gained or declined during early trading?

LG Electronics rose 6.02 percent after securing a long-term North American AI data center chiller supply agreement. Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor also advanced, while SK hynix and Korea Aerospace Industries declined.

What market factors are investors watching after the Seoul stock market opened?

Investors are focusing on upcoming corporate earnings while monitoring higher interest rates, rising global bond yields, elevated energy costs and renewed inflation worries. Overnight gains in U.S. stocks provided a contrasting backdrop to Seoul’s early weakness.

Seoul stocks turn lower after opening higher on profit-taking

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Summary

Seoul shares turned lower after opening higher Tuesday as profit-taking and concerns over multidecade-high bond yields weighed on investor sentiment. The KOSPI fell 8.14 points, or 0.12 percent, to 6,995.60 as of 9:15 a.m. LG Electronics jumped 6.02 percent after securing a long-term agreement to supply chillers for North American artificial intelligence data centers. The won traded at 1,343.20 won per U.S. dollar.

Key Facts

The KOSPI initially rose 0.58 percent before reversing direction in early trading.
Samsung Electronics rose 0.36 percent, while Hyundai Motor gained 0.87 percent.
SK hynix fell 1.14 percent and Korea Aerospace Industries declined 2.1 percent.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.18 percent overnight, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.05 percent.
The won weakened 0.8 won against the U.S. dollar from the previous session’s close.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 6, 2026 9:27 am KST
Updated Oct 6, 2026 9:39 am KST

A screen at the dealing room of Hana Bank’s headquarters in Seoul shows the KOSPI indices and exchange rate, Tuesday. Yonhap

Seoul shares turned lower on profit-taking after opening higher Tuesday, as concerns over rising bond yields at multidecade highs weighed on investor sentiment.

After opening 0.58 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 8.14 points, or 0.12 percent, to 6,995.60 as of 9:15 a.m.

Investors are now turning their attention to upcoming corporate earnings, although higher interest rates, elevated energy costs and renewed inflation worries are pushing up global bond yields.

Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.18 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 1.05 percent.

In Seoul, large-cap stocks were mixed.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 0.36 percent, and top carmaker Hyundai Motor climbed 0.87 percent.

LG Electronics jumped 6.02 percent as it has secured a long-term agreement to supply chillers for artificial intelligence data centers with a North American company.

Among decliners, Samsung's chipmaking rival SK hynix fell 1.14 percent, and Korea Aerospace Industries declined 2.1 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,343.20 won against the U.S. dollar, down 0.8 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

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