Business · Markets · 1 hr ago
South Korea’s KOSPI falls as chip shares and foreign selling weigh
South Korea’s main stock index, the KOSPI, dropped sharply early on Oct.
13, and the smaller KOSDAQ also fell.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, two of the country’s biggest chipmakers, each lost about 5% in early trading.
Foreign investors were selling KOSPI shares, adding pressure to the market.
Investors were also concerned about weakness in global memory-chip stocks after a Chinese company said it had made progress in DRAM technology.
Rising oil prices added to concerns after an attack on Riyadh’s international airport heightened tensions in the Middle East.
The declines matter because chip companies are major parts of South Korea’s stock market, and higher oil prices can unsettle investors.
Markets were also watching upcoming results from major financial companies and South Korean consumer and producer price data for September.
South Korea’s KOSPI fell as much as 4.67% in early trading on October 13, extending its decline to a fifth session.
Foreign investors continued selling shares, while major chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix fell more than 5%.
Weakness in memory-chip stocks, a stronger won and rising oil prices weighed on market sentiment.
The KOSDAQ also fell, though it pared some of its early losses.
- Who
- South Korean stock investors, with foreign investors selling and individual and institutional investors buying on the KOSPI.
- What
- The KOSPI fell sharply in early trading, with chip shares and foreign selling among the reported pressures.
- When
- October 13, 2026, in early trading.
- Where
- South Korea’s stock market.
- Why
- Chip-sector weakness, foreign selling, the stronger won and rising oil prices weighed on sentiment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The won closed at 1,335.1 per US dollar, its lowest level in two years.
US stock indexes were mixed, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell 2.67%.
The KOSPI opened down 3.10% at 6,186.08.
The KOSPI was down 4.53% at 6,094.96, after falling as low as 6,086.36.
- KOSPI low
- 6,086.36, down 4.67%
- KOSPI at 9:17 a.m.
- 6,094.96, down 4.53%
- Foreign KOSPI selling
- 611.4 billion won
- Samsung Electronics
- Down 5.29% to 237,250 won
- SK hynix
- Down 5.79% to 1,512,000 won
- KOSDAQ at 9:17 a.m.
- 831.33, down 2.10%
What people are saying
Domestic shares are likely to remain weak early on due to weakness in the semiconductor sector and pressure from foreign investor flows.
The won’s relative strength compared with competing currencies, along with increased volatility, is acting as a factor encouraging foreign investors to sell domestic stocks.
Sources
Related news
Hyundai Green Food adds care support for employees’ older relatives
APR shares fall as forecast points to weaker-than-expected third-quarter profit
Shoemarker shoes to be available for delivery through Baemin in South Korea
Samsung Electro-Mechanics executive honored for MLCC technology work
Broadcom and Intel CEOs warn funding could limit AI growth
Woori Bank gives 10 million won to military remains recovery agency
KIWOOM ETF to pay 146 won per share in October distribution
Southeast Asia emerges as a market for South Korea’s KF-21 fighter
KOSPI triggers five-minute trading halt as losses exceed 4%
South Korea’s Kospi falls more than 6% below 6,000
Won trades in the 1,330s as Samsung dividend and US rates pose risks
