The benchmark KOSPI slipped 1.72% to close at 5,487 on Friday, extending losses for another consecutive session as investor sentiment deteriorated amid a surge in oil prices and a broader global market selloff. The decline followed a sharp drop in US equities overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.56% to its lowest level this year, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.78%. Equity markets faced added pressure after Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed leader, pledged to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed. The heightened tensions pushed Brent crude above $100 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to about $95.73, fueling concerns over inflation and global economic growth. Tech stocks led the decline, with chipmakers Samsung Electronics (-2.18%) and SK Hynix (-2.04%) posting notable losses. Battery makers and oil refiner firms also dragged the index lower, including LG Energy Solution (-3.65%), SK Innovation (-5.34%), and S-Oil (-4.49%).

South Korea's main stock market index, the KOSPI, fell to 5487 points on March 13, 2026, losing 1.72% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 3.35%, though it remains 113.81% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from South Korea. Historically, the South Korea Stock Market reached an all time high of 6347.41 in February of 2026. South Korea Stock Market - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on March 13 of 2026.

South Korea's main stock market index, the KOSPI, fell to 5487 points on March 13, 2026, losing 1.72% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 3.35%, though it remains 113.81% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from South Korea. The South Korea Stock Market is expected to trade at 5512.37 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 4533.80 in 12 months time.



Indexes Price Day Month Year Date
KOSPI 5,487.24 -96.01 -1.72% -3.35% 113.81% Mar/13



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
South Korea Inflation Rate 2.00 2.00 percent Feb 2026
South Korea Interest Rate 2.50 2.50 percent Mar 2026
South Korea Unemployment Rate 3.00 3.30 percent Jan 2026

South Korea Stock Market
The Korea Stock Exchange Composite KOSPI is a major stock market index which tracks the performance of all common shares listed on the Korean Stock Exchange. It is a capitalization-weighted index. The KOSPI Index has a base value of 100 as of January 4, 1980. The KOSPI is a major stock market index which tracks the performance of large companies based in South Korea. The prices displayed in Trading Economics are based on over-the-counter (OTC) and contract for difference (CFD) financial instruments. Please visit https://global.krx.co.kr/ for official data and contact https://english.koscom.co.kr if you need to have a market data license.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
5487.24 5583.25 6347.41 115.25 1983 - 2026 points Daily

Market Data Coverage: South Korea

News Stream
Korean Stocks Extend Decline on Oil Spike
The benchmark KOSPI slipped 1.72% to close at 5,487 on Friday, extending losses for another consecutive session as investor sentiment deteriorated amid a surge in oil prices and a broader global market selloff. The decline followed a sharp drop in US equities overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.56% to its lowest level this year, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.78%. Equity markets faced added pressure after Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed leader, pledged to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed. The heightened tensions pushed Brent crude above $100 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to about $95.73, fueling concerns over inflation and global economic growth. Tech stocks led the decline, with chipmakers Samsung Electronics (-2.18%) and SK Hynix (-2.04%) posting notable losses. Battery makers and oil refiner firms also dragged the index lower, including LG Energy Solution (-3.65%), SK Innovation (-5.34%), and S-Oil (-4.49%).
2026-03-13
South Korea Stocks Retreat On Oil Concerns
The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.48% to close at 5,583 on Thursday, trimming gains from the previous sessions as investors turned cautious amid renewed volatility in global energy markets. Overnight signals from Wall Street offered little support, with markets ending mixed as investors stayed on the sidelines despite a coordinated release of emergency oil reserves by major economies. South Korea plans to contribute 22.46 million barrels from its strategic reserves as part of the International Energy Agency’s 400 million-barrel release, a move aimed at easing global supply pressures. In currency markets, the won weakened sharply against the dollar, reflecting a broader risk-off mood. Investors gravitated toward the greenback as a safe-haven asset while monitoring the potential economic fallout from fluctuating oil prices. Notable decliners were Samsung Electronics (-0.74%), SK Hynix (-0.89%), Hyundai Motor (-1.32%), KB Financial (-1.32%), and Celltrion (-1.79%).
2026-03-12
Korean Stocks Rise on Bargain Hunting
The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.4% to close at 5,609 on Wednesday, extending its rally for another session as investors returned to equities in search of attractive valuations despite lingering uncertainty in global energy markets. The rebound was driven by renewed buying after recent declines, as investors accumulated undervalued shares across major sectors. Investor caution persisted amid rising Middle East tensions that have stirred oil price volatility. Concerns grew after US President Donald Trump warned Iran of military retaliation over alleged mines in the Strait of Hormuz, saying US forces had destroyed ten inactive vessels tied to the activity. Chipmakers, automakers, and pharmaceuticals lifted the index, with notable gains from Samsung Electronics (+1.17%), SK Hynix (+2.03%), Hyundai Motor (+0.95%), Samsung Biologics (+4.08%), and Kia Corp (+0.93%).
2026-03-11