How did the KOSPI and major Korean stocks perform at the open on Oct. 26, 2026?

The KOSPI opened 0.92 percent lower and was down 24.45 points, or 0.46 percent, at 5,524.85 as of 9:15 a.m. Samsung Electronics, LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motor fell, while SK hynix rose.

Why were investors watching SK hynix and Samsung Electronics earnings this week?

Investors were looking to the companies’ third-quarter results for clues about the outlook for artificial intelligence chip demand and memory prices. SK hynix was due to report Wednesday and Samsung Electronics on Thursday.

What was expected from the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting, and when was it scheduled to begin?

The Fed’s two-day meeting was scheduled to start Tuesday, U.S. time. The central bank was widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged amid persistent inflationary pressures.

Seoul stocks open lower ahead of earnings reports, Fed decision

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Summary

Korean stocks opened lower in Seoul Monday as investors awaited chipmaker earnings and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy decision later this week amid rising oil prices. The KOSPI was down 24.45 points, or 0.46 percent, at 5,524.85 as of 9:15 a.m., after opening 0.92 percent lower. Investors were watching SK hynix and Samsung Electronics results for signals on AI chip demand and memory prices, while the Fed was widely expected to leave rates unchanged. The won traded at 1,323.6 per dollar.

Key Facts

SK hynix was scheduled to report earnings Wednesday, followed by Samsung Electronics on Thursday.
The Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting was set to begin Tuesday, U.S. time, amid persistent inflationary pressures.
The KOSPI gained 0.3 percent Friday but fell 2.08 percent for the week amid heavy foreign selling and volatility in semiconductor shares.
Samsung Electronics shares fell 0.7 percent, while SK hynix gained 1.88 percent; LG Energy Solution declined 2.74 percent and Hyundai Motor fell 1.69 percent.
The won was up 2.6 won against the U.S. dollar from the previous session’s close at 9:15 a.m.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 26, 2026 9:17 am KST
Updated Oct 26, 2026 9:29 am KST

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

Korean stocks opened lower Monday as investors awaited third-quarter earnings from major chipmakers and the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision later this week amid rising oil prices.

After opening 0.92 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) pared its earlier losses to trade down 24.45 points, or 0.46 percent, to 5,524.85 as of 9:15 a.m.

The index gained 0.3 percent Friday but lost 2.08 percent for the week amid heavy foreign selling and volatility in semiconductor shares.

Investors are awaiting earnings reports from SK hynix on Wednesday and Samsung Electronics on Thursday for clues about the outlook for artificial intelligence (AI) chip demand and memory prices.

Investors are also keeping a close eye on the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting starting Tuesday (U.S. time), with the central bank widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged amid persistent inflationary pressures.

Wall Street closed lower Friday as rising oil prices and lingering concerns over returns on massive AI investments weighed on sentiment.

Oil prices edged lower from a six-month high early Monday, despite renewed geopolitical tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled his willingness to resume strikes on Iran.

Market heavyweights were mixed.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics shed 0.7 percent, while chip giant SK hynix gained 1.88 percent.

Battery maker LG Energy Solution decreased 2.74 percent, while top automaker Hyundai Motor went down 1.69 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,323.6 won against the U.S. dollar at 9:15 a.m., up 2.6 won from the close of the previous session.

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