South Korean Shares Hit Over 3-Month Low

2026-07-29 01:45 By Erika Ordonez 1 min. read

The benchmark KOSPI fell more than 2% to around 5,895 on Wednesday, extending losses to its lowest level in over three months, as semiconductor concerns continued to weigh on investor sentiment.

Investors remained cautious over AI infrastructure spending, elevated semiconductor valuations, and intensifying competition from China's chip industry.

Sentiment also remained subdued after SK hynix reported record second-quarter revenue and operating profit but missed analyst expectations, reinforcing concerns that AI-driven earnings growth may be moderating despite continued strength in high-bandwidth memory demand.

SK hynix plunged nearly 5%, alongside losses in SK Square (-3.6%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-3.8%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-1.0%), and Hanwha Aerospace (-1.5%).

Meanwhile, lower oil prices following the easing of Middle East supply concerns and selective bargain hunting after the previous session's plunge provided some support to the broader market.



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South Korean Shares Hit Over 3-Month Low
The benchmark KOSPI fell more than 2% to around 5,895 on Wednesday, extending losses to its lowest level in over three months, as semiconductor concerns continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Investors remained cautious over AI infrastructure spending, elevated semiconductor valuations, and intensifying competition from China's chip industry. Sentiment also remained subdued after SK hynix reported record second-quarter revenue and operating profit but missed analyst expectations, reinforcing concerns that AI-driven earnings growth may be moderating despite continued strength in high-bandwidth memory demand. SK hynix plunged nearly 5%, alongside losses in SK Square (-3.6%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-3.8%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-1.0%), and Hanwha Aerospace (-1.5%). Meanwhile, lower oil prices following the easing of Middle East supply concerns and selective bargain hunting after the previous session's plunge provided some support to the broader market.
2026-07-29
South Korean Shares Plunge to Over 3-Month Low
The benchmark KOSPI plunged 10.84% to close at 6,024 on Tuesday, retreating to an over three-month low, as a deepening global semiconductor selloff battered heavyweight chipmakers and fueled broad risk aversion. SK Hynix tumbled 14.48% after its US-listed shares fell below their IPO price, while Samsung Electronics slid 13.58%, tracking another decline in US chip stocks amid growing concerns that hyperscalers could rein in AI infrastructure spending. The selloff also dragged down other major shares, including SK Square (-15.42%), Hyundai Motor (-9.55%), LG Energy Solution (-5.86%), KB Financial Group (-3.88%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-6.68%), and Kia Corporation (-6.21%). Meanwhile, renewed concerns over rising competition from China's memory chip sector added further pressure to Korean semiconductor stocks. Investors also remained cautious ahead of earnings from major US technology companies and the Federal Reserve's policy decision later this week.
2026-07-28
South Korean Shares Close Higher on AI Optimism
The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.97% to close at 6,756 on Monday, recovering part of the previous session's losses as optimism over major AI cooperation agreements boosted technology shares. Investor sentiment improved after South Korean firms announced a series of AI partnerships with global technology companies, involving about $950 billion worth of projects, highlighted by a $750 billion long-term semiconductor supply deal between SK Group and Nvidia and Nvidia's $1 billion investment in Naver. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix led the advance, rising 1.80% and 3.24%, respectively, alongside gains in Naver (8.43%), LG Energy Solution (1.06%), Samsung Biologics (1.78%), LG Electronics (1.83%), Hanwha Ocean (1.02%), and HD Korea Shipbuilding (1.75%). Additionally, easing geopolitical tensions supported risk appetite after the US halted strikes on Iran over the weekend, sending oil prices sharply lower.
2026-07-27