Why did the KOSPI rebound after its more than 7 percent drop?

The rebound followed higher closes on Wall Street and buying in major Seoul market heavyweights. The previous session’s sharp decline had been driven by concerns over AI trade and U.S. inflation.

How did major Korean stocks perform when Seoul markets opened on Friday?

Hyundai Motor rose 2.54 percent, KB Financial climbed 4.72 percent and Hanwha Aerospace advanced 4.37 percent. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix gained 1.55 percent and 0.48 percent, respectively.

What did U.S. inflation data mean for expectations about Federal Reserve policy?

U.S. producer prices posted their largest gain in more than four years in September, strengthening speculation that the Federal Reserve would raise key interest rates to contain inflation. The data came as major AI and semiconductor shares ended lower on Wall Street.

Seoul stocks open higher after 7-day losing streak

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Summary

The KOSPI rose 85.62 points, or 1.54 percent, to 5,639.84 in Seoul on Friday after the previous session’s more than 7 percent decline. The rebound followed higher Wall Street closes, although major AI and semiconductor shares fell. Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, Hyundai Motor, KB Financial and Hanwha Aerospace all advanced, while the Korean won strengthened to 1,340.6 won against the U.S. dollar.

Key Facts

The S&P 500 gained 0.33 percent and the Nasdaq edged up 0.08 percent overnight.
U.S. producer prices recorded their largest increase in more than four years in September, reinforcing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike.
Hyundai Motor advanced 2.54 percent, KB Financial jumped 4.72 percent and Hanwha Aerospace moved up 4.37 percent.
Samsung Electronics gained 1.55 percent, while SK hynix added 0.48 percent.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 16, 2026 9:21 am KST
Updated Oct 16, 2026 9:39 am KST

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

Seoul stocks opened higher Friday after the previous session's over 7 percent dip amid woes over artificial intelligence (AI) trade and U.S. inflation.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 85.62 points, or 1.54 percent, to 5,639.84 at 9:15 a.m.

Overnight, major stocks indexes on Wall Street closed higher, but major AI and semiconductor shares ended in negative territory.

The S&P 500 added 0.33 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq inched up 0.08 percent.

U.S. producer price data posted the largest gain in over four years in September, further solidifying speculation that the Federal Reserve will raise key rates to rein in inflation.

In Seoul, most market heavyweights strengthened.

Chip giant Samsung Electronics and SK hynix added 1.55 percent and 0.48 percent, respectively.

Industry leaders Hyundai Motor advanced 2.54 percent, financial firm KB Financial jumped 4.72 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace moved up 4.37 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,340.6 won against the U.S. dollar at 9:15 a.m., up 1.4 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

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