Why did the KOSPI open lower despite gains in U.S. stocks and falling oil prices?

The KOSPI opened lower even as the Dow and Nasdaq advanced overnight, with investors responding to the domestic market’s mixed conditions. The index later narrowed its decline from 1.11 percent to 0.27 percent.

Which Korean stocks rose and fell during Wednesday morning trading?

Samsung Electronics gained 2.21 percent and Amorepacific rose 4.2 percent. SK hynix, LG Electronics, Hyundai Motor and POSCO Holdings declined, with POSCO Holdings recording the largest loss among those listed at 2.83 percent.

What happened to the Korean won against the U.S. dollar as Seoul shares traded lower?

The won weakened to 1,340.05 won per U.S. dollar, down 1.95 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

Seoul shares open lower despite falling oil prices, bond yields

Listen

Summary

Seoul shares opened lower Wednesday despite overnight gains in U.S. stocks, as the KOSPI traded at 6,922.59 at 9:15 a.m. The index initially fell 1.11 percent before narrowing losses to 0.27 percent. Oil prices and bond yields declined, while major Korean stocks traded mixed. The Korean won weakened to 1,340.05 won against the U.S. dollar.

Key Facts

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.49 percent overnight, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.45 percent and reached a record high.
SK hynix fell 1.02 percent, LG Electronics declined 2.37 percent, Hyundai Motor dropped 1.44 percent, and POSCO Holdings shed 2.83 percent.
Samsung Electronics rose 2.21 percent, while Amorepacific climbed 4.2 percent.
The Korean won fell 1.95 won from the previous session to trade at 1,340.05 won per U.S. dollar.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 7, 2026 9:26 am KST
Updated Oct 7, 2026 9:40 am KST

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

Seoul shares opened lower Wednesday, bucking overnight U.S. gains and easing concerns over lower oil prices and bond yields.

After opening 1.11 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) narrowed losses to trade down 18.8 points, or 0.27 percent, to 6,922.59 as of 9:15 a.m.

Global oil prices fell, and bond yields declined from their multidecade highs.

Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.49 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.45 percent to reach a record high.

In Seoul, large-cap stocks were mixed.

Chip giant SK hynix dropped 1.02 percent, and home appliance maker LG Electronics declined 2.37 percent.

Top carmaker Hyundai Motor dropped 1.44 percent, and steelmaker POSCO Holdings shed 2.83 percent.

Among gainers, market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 2.21 percent, and cosmetics firm Amorepacific climbed 4.2 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,340.05 won against the U.S. dollar, down 1.95 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

Explore More