Why did the KOSPI fall for a third consecutive session on Thursday?

Elevated oil prices intensified inflation concerns, while investors worried that the U.S. Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates this year to curb inflation. Overnight declines in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite also weighed on sentiment.

Which Korean stocks led the decline and which stocks gained on Thursday?

Samsung Electronics and SK hynix declined 2.42 percent and 2.44 percent, respectively. Hanwha Aerospace fell 8.33 percent and HMM lost 2.8 percent, while Samsung SDI rose 1.25 percent and LG Energy Solution gained 2.56 percent.

How did foreign and institutional investors trade during the KOSPI’s Thursday decline?

Institutions sold a net 1.67 trillion won worth of stocks, and foreign investors sold a net 1.99 trillion won. Individual investors bought a net 2.9 billion won, but their purchases did not offset institutional and foreign selling.

Seoul shares down for 3rd day amid inflation worries

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Summary

Seoul shares fell in Seoul Thursday to extend losses for a third consecutive session as elevated oil prices fueled inflation worries. The KOSPI dropped 177.97 points, or 2.62 percent, to 6,625.93, while the Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar. Technology stocks led the decline, although Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution gained.

Key Facts

Institutions and foreign investors sold a net 1.67 trillion won and 1.99 trillion won worth of stocks, respectively, while individuals bought a net 2.9 billion won.
Samsung Electronics fell 2.42 percent to 262,000 won, and SK hynix declined 2.44 percent to 1.68 million won.
Hanwha Aerospace dropped 8.33 percent to 891,000 won, while HMM shed 2.8 percent to 20,800 won.
The Korean won was quoted at 1,338.5 won against the U.S. dollar, compared with 1,340.4 won at the previous session’s close.
The three-year Treasury yield rose 2.2 basis points to 3.983 percent, while the five-year government bond yield climbed 2.4 basis points to 4.158 percent.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 8, 2026 4:22 pm KST
Updated Oct 8, 2026 4:47 pm KST

Officials work at a dealing room in Hana Bank headquarters in central Seoul, Thrusday. Yonhap

Seoul shares closed lower Thursday to extend their losses for a third consecutive session, as elevated oil prices stoked inflation worries. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.

After opening 0.07 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) turned lower to close down 177.97 points, or 2.62 percent, at 6,625.93.

This comes as the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.66 percent overnight, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.22 percent.

Institutions and foreigners sold a net 1.67 trillion won ($1.24 billion) and 1.99 trillion won worth of stocks, respectively, while individuals bought a net 2.9 billion won.

Investors seemed wary as higher oil prices are adding to inflationary pressures, and the U.S. Federal Reserve has signaled it may need to raise rates this year to tame inflation.

In Seoul, tech stocks led the decline.

Market behemoth Samsung Electronics fell 2.42 percent to 262,000 won, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix declined 2.44 percent to 1.68 million won.

Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace dropped 8.33 percent to 891,000 won, and shipping firm HMM shed 2.8 percent to 20,800 won.

Among gainers, battery maker Samsung SDI rose 1.25 percent to 569,000 won and leading battery maker LG Energy Solution climbed 2.56 percent to 401,000 won.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,338.5 won against the U.S. dollar as of 3:30 p.m., compared to 1,340.4 won from the previous stock trading session's close.

Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 2.2 basis points to 3.983 and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds climbed 2.4 basis points to 4.158.

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