Business · Markets · 28 mins ago
South Korean stocks fall as sell-sidecars halt automated orders
South Korea’s KOSPI and KOSDAQ fell sharply on Oct.
15, with both indexes down more than 6% at one point.
The Korea Exchange triggered sell-sidecars in both markets, temporarily stopping automated sell orders for five minutes.
The KOSPI measure was triggered around 9:07 a.m.
after its futures prices met the required decline threshold.
The sell-off followed US data showing September inflation rose 3.7%, above the 3.6% analysts expected.
The higher figure weakened investor confidence, and major chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix also fell about 6% early in trading.
The temporary pauses are meant to reduce volatility during sharp declines; the story gives no further update on the markets’ next moves.
South Korean stocks plunged on October 15, with the KOSPI and KOSDAQ falling more than 6% at points during early trading.
Sell-sidecars were triggered in both markets, temporarily suspending the effect of program sell orders for five minutes.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix fell sharply as semiconductor shares led the declines.
Investors were unsettled by higher-than-expected US inflation and renewed concerns about returns on AI infrastructure spending.
The KOSPI was on track for its seventh consecutive session of losses.
- Who
- South Korean stock investors, including foreign, retail and institutional investors.
- What
- The KOSPI and KOSDAQ fell sharply, prompting sell-sidecars that paused program sell orders.
- When
- October 15, 2026, during early trading.
- Where
- South Korea’s KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets.
- Why
- Higher-than-expected US inflation and concerns about AI investment returns and semiconductor supply weighed on sentiment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A sell-sidecar was triggered in the KOSPI market.
The KOSDAQ also triggered a sell-sidecar as both indexes fell sharply.
Yonhap reported the KOSPI down 6.46% at 5,620.37.
- KOSPI opening level
- 5,673.01, down 5.59%
- KOSDAQ opening level
- 784.45, down 4.79%
- KOSPI at 9:19 a.m.
- 5,620.37, down 6.46%
- US September CPI
- 3.7% year over year, above the 3.6% market forecast
- Sell-sidecar pause
- Program sell orders suspended for five minutes
- Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix
- Down 7.11% and 9.02%, respectively, in Yonhap’s report
3 sources
What people are saying
This expanded concerns that even if AI demand grows rapidly, large-scale capital spending may not translate into sufficient returns