Business · Markets · 15 mins ago
South Korea’s Kospi rebounds more than 3% after sharp fall
South Korea’s Kospi rose 3.23% in morning trading on Oct.
21, after falling more than 3% the day before.
The rebound lifted the index to 5,731.41 by 9:24 a.m.
local time, after it opened at 5,666.34.
Foreign investors bought Kospi shares, while individual investors and institutions sold shares overall.
Major technology stocks led much of the rise, including Samsung Electronics, up 4.26%, and SK Hynix, up 5.97%.
Overnight gains on Wall Street and lower oil prices provided a positive backdrop for South Korea’s market.
The foreign buying is not yet a clear trend, according to a securities analyst, who said continued buying of semiconductor stocks could help support the Kospi.
Investors will be watching whether that buying continues as markets remain volatile.
South Korea’s Kospi rose more than 3% in early trading on Oct. 21, recovering part of the previous session’s sharp fall.
The index opened 2.05% higher at 5,666.34 and was reported at 5,731.41, up 3.23%, at 9:24 a.m. local time.
Foreign investors were net buyers of Kospi shares, while individual and institutional investors were net sellers.
Shares of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix rose, alongside gains in many other large-cap stocks.
Reports attributed the rebound in part to bargain buying after the previous day’s 3.73% decline and gains in some U.S. markets overnight.
- Who
- South Korea’s Kospi and its investors, including foreign, individual and institutional traders.
- What
- The Kospi rebounded more than 3% in early trading, recovering part of its previous session’s fall.
- When
- Oct. 21, 2026; at 9:24 a.m. local time it was up 3.23%.
- Where
- South Korea’s stock market.
- Why
- Reports cited bargain buying after the previous day’s sharp decline, gains in some U.S. markets and lower oil prices. One report also pointed to news of Iran-Pakistan talks on possible mediation with the United States.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Kospi fell 3.73% as the session ended.
The Dow and S&P 500 rose, while the Nasdaq edged down; oil prices also fell.
The Kospi opened at 5,666.34, up 2.05%, and the Kosdaq opened at 793.40, up 1.46%.
Yonhap reported the Kospi at 5,712.03, up 2.87%.
Maeil Business reported the Kospi at 5,731.41, up 3.23%.
- Kospi at 9:24 a.m.
- 5,731.41, up 3.23%
- Kospi opening level
- 5,666.34, up 2.05%
- Previous session’s Kospi fall
- 3.73%
- Samsung Electronics
- Up 4.26% in Maeil Business’s 9:24 a.m. report
- SK Hynix
- Up 5.97% in Maeil Business’s 9:24 a.m. report
- Kosdaq at 9:24 a.m.
- 801.90, up 2.55%
3 sources
What people are saying
It is too early to conclude that Samsung Electronics’ shift to net foreign buying signals a lasting improvement in supply and demand, but foreign investors’ concentrated selling of semiconductors, which contributed to the domestic market’s sharp fall, is changing.
If improved demand for leading semiconductor stocks continues through a volatile market, it may be appropriate to factor a recovery in the Kospi’s downside support into investment strategy.