Business · Markets · 22 hrs ago
US earnings season could support Korean stocks and a fresh KOSPI 7,000 test
US companies are beginning to report third-quarter results this week, and investors are watching whether profits have continued to grow strongly.
Goldman Sachs estimates that S&P 500 companies’ profits rose 27% from a year earlier, while FactSet expects growth across all 11 sectors.
Strong results from US technology and semiconductor companies could encourage foreign investors to return to South Korea’s stock market.
The KOSPI closed at 6,625.93 on October 8, after falling 2.62% that day, and analysts say it could try again to hold above 7,000 if foreign buying improves.
Demand for memory chips is also a key factor, as expanding AI data centres need high-performance memory and suppliers cannot quickly increase production.
Micron has said that more than 75% of its 2027 production is already allocated to customers, with some supply deals extending to 2031.
Investors will look to the US earnings results this week for evidence that strong AI-related demand is feeding into company profits and could support Korean semiconductor stocks.
US companies are beginning to report third-quarter results, with investors watching for strong earnings from technology and semiconductor firms.
Analysts say strong US results could draw foreign investment back to South Korea and help the KOSPI try again to hold above 7,000.
Goldman Sachs estimates that S&P 500 companies’ third-quarter profits rose 27% from a year earlier.
Micron’s strong results and outlook have added to expectations that demand for memory chips will remain robust.
The KOSPI fell 2.62% to 6,625.93 on Oct. 8.
- Who
- US companies reporting third-quarter earnings, and South Korean investors and markets.
- What
- Strong US earnings, particularly from technology and semiconductor companies, could support Korean stocks and a renewed KOSPI attempt to hold above 7,000.
- When
- The US earnings season was expected to gather pace during Oct. 12–16, 2026.
- Where
- The United States and South Korea.
- Why
- Analysts say strong results could improve foreign investor flows into Korean shares, while demand for AI-related memory chips is supporting semiconductor prospects.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Three consecutive quarters of (S&P 500 companies') earnings growth above 25%
Neither recent macroeconomic data nor signals from the AI investment boom suggest an economic slowdown.
If this week's US earnings season also confirms earnings growth at AI-related companies, foreign funds will flow back into Korean semiconductor stocks and the KOSPI will try to settle above 7,000.
The KOSPI fell 177.87 points, or 2.62%, to close at 6,625.93.
US companies were expected to begin reporting third-quarter results in earnest.
- S&P 500 third-quarter profit growth
- 27% year on year, estimated by Goldman Sachs
- S&P 500 sales growth
- 12%, estimated
- Positive earnings outlooks
- 72 S&P 500 companies, a record according to FactSet
- Negative earnings outlooks
- At a five-year low, according to FactSet
- Micron production allocation
- More than 75% of its 2027 production was already allocated to customers
- KOSPI close on Oct. 8
- 6,625.93, down 2.62%
Sources
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