Why did South Korean stocks fall sharply at the opening on Tuesday?

Investor sentiment was weakened by losses in U.S. technology stocks and caution ahead of major companies’ earnings reports and the release of U.S. inflation data. Technology shares led the decline in Seoul.

What U.S. economic data are investors watching before the Federal Reserve’s October meeting?

Investors are awaiting the U.S. consumer price index report due Wednesday, U.S. time. The report could provide clues about the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook ahead of its October rate-setting meeting.

Which Korean companies led the declines and gains in Seoul trading?

Samsung Electronics fell 4.79 percent and SK hynix declined 5.61 percent, while Hanwha Aerospace dropped 3.71 percent and Hyundai Motor shed 5 percent. Hybe rose 1.47 percent and SM climbed 1.8 percent.

Seoul shares open sharply lower on US losses, inflation concerns

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Summary

Seoul shares opened sharply lower Tuesday as losses in U.S. technology stocks weighed on investor sentiment ahead of major corporate earnings reports and U.S. inflation data. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 198.16 points, or 3.1 percent, to 6,186.08 at the opening bell. Technology stocks led the decline, while Hybe and SM gained. The Korean won traded at 1,335.70 won against the U.S. dollar.

Key Facts

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.38 percent overnight, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.44 percent.
Investors are awaiting the U.S. consumer price index report due Wednesday, U.S. time, for clues about Federal Reserve policy before its October rate-setting meeting.
Samsung Electronics fell 4.79 percent and SK hynix declined 5.61 percent in Seoul trading.
Hanwha Aerospace dropped 3.71 percent and Hyundai Motor shed 5 percent, while Hybe rose 1.47 percent and SM climbed 1.8 percent.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 13, 2026 9:21 am KST
Updated Oct 13, 2026 9:26 am KST

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

Seoul shares opened sharply lower Tuesday, as losses in U.S. technology stocks weighed on investor sentiment ahead of major companies' earnings reports and the release of U.S. inflation data.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 198.16 points, or 3.1 percent, to 6,186.08 at the opening bell.

Overnight, U.S. stocks ended mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.38 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite falling 0.44 percent.

Investors are awaiting the U.S. consumer price index report due Wednesday (U.S. time), which could offer further clues about the Federal Reserve's policy outlook ahead of its October rate-setting meeting.

In Seoul, tech stocks led the decline.

Market behemoth Samsung Electronics fell 4.79 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix declined 5.61 percent.

Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace dropped 3.71 percent, and top carmaker Hyundai Motor shed 5 percent.

Among gainers, Hybe, the agency behind K-pop boy band BTS, rose 1.47 percent and rival entertainment agency SM climbed 1.8 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,335.70 won against the U.S. dollar, up 0.1 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

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