Business · Markets · 3 hrs ago
Weak trading conditions weigh on South Korean stocks despite stronger earnings
South Korean stocks have fallen more than US shares recently, despite companies reporting stronger earnings.
Analyst Lee Sun-yeop of AFW Partners says weak demand for shares and fewer trades are adding to the decline.
Daily trading value in South Korea, which once reached 80 trillion won, has recently dropped to just over 10 trillion won.
Samsung Electronics shows the gap between earnings and share prices: its share price has returned to levels seen in March and April, while its projected operating profit has risen from the 50-trillion-won range to about 107 trillion won.
Lee says low valuations have not lifted prices because trading conditions are weak, while high interest rates and doubts about funding AI investment are weighing on markets.
The concerns matter because they could keep investors cautious in both South Korea and the United States.
Lee says it is difficult to act decisively now and advises focusing again on industries and companies’ competitiveness once uncertainties ease.
South Korean stocks have fallen more sharply than US stocks despite rising corporate earnings, according to an analysis in Maeil Business.
AFW Partners chief Lee Seon-yeop attributed the weakness to fragile trading conditions and reduced investor participation.
Daily trading value in the Korean market has dropped from as high as 80 trillion won to the low 10-trillion-won range.
Lee said Samsung Electronics’ share price had returned to levels seen in March and April even as its projected operating profit rose to about 107 trillion won.
He said high interest rates, rising oil prices and doubts about financing artificial-intelligence investment were weighing on markets.
- Who
- South Korean stock investors and companies, including Samsung Electronics; AFW Partners chief Lee Seon-yeop provided the analysis.
- What
- South Korean stocks have fallen more sharply than US stocks despite higher corporate earnings, amid weak trading conditions.
- When
- The article was published on 24 October 2026; it describes recent market conditions and cites trading on 23 October.
- Where
- South Korea’s stock market, compared with the US market.
- Why
- Lee said fragile trading conditions, high interest rates and uncertainty over funding AI investment were weighing on share prices.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lee said Samsung Electronics’ share price was now at a level similar to that period, when its operating profit was in the 50-trillion-won range.
The KOSPI closed at 5,550.30, up 16.53 points, or 0.30%, from the previous day.
Maeil Business published its analysis of the pressure on South Korean stocks.
- Daily trading value
- Fell from as high as 80 trillion won to the low 10-trillion-won range
- Samsung projected operating profit
- About 107 trillion won
- KOSPI close, 23 October
- 5,550.30
- KOSPI daily change, 23 October
- Up 16.53 points, or 0.30%
- Published
- 24 October 2026
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