The KOSPI opened down 2.6% and fell over 3% intraday before Samsung Electronics and SK hynix buybacks soaked up foreign and passive selling, lifting the index to close up 0.46% at 6,820. The KOSDAQ lagged as battery names slid.
Korea’s KOSPI fell 1.79% to 6,788.88 as AI chip heavyweights saw post-Nvidia profit-taking, while the KOSDAQ held flat. Retail investors bought the dip as foreigners and institutions sold, with new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s first Jackson Hole speech looming after the close.
The KOSPI rose for a third straight day as Nvidia’s earnings beat lifted chipmakers and battery names surged on ESS tender hopes, but a mid-session Bank of Korea rate hike trimmed the benchmark’s gain to 1.53% at 6,912.37.
The KOSPI reversed an early dip to close at 6,808.21 (+0.97%) as Samsung Electronics (+1.75%) and SK Hynix (+0.60%) advanced on cheaper oil and lower US yields. The KOSDAQ ended flat, with Nvidia earnings, a Bank of Korea rate decision, and Jackson Hole all looming this week.
The KOSPI plunged as much as 4.3% on overnight US chip weakness before Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix powered an afternoon reversal, closing up 0.68% at 6,742.74. Foreign investors sold heavily into the dip while retail bought. Nvidia’s earnings loom Wednesday.
Samsung Electronics’ record 110 trillion won shareholder-return plan fell short of market hopes, sending the stock down 8.7% and the KOSPI below 6,700. Rotation money lifted the KOSDAQ 1.4% as batteries and biotech rallied.
Seoul’s two markets went opposite ways: KOSPI recovered from a 1.35% opening drop to close up 0.88%, while KOSDAQ fell 4.63% and tripped its 32nd sidecar trading curb of 2026 as rising US yields hammered growth stocks.
The KOSPI jumped 5.89% to 6,852.58 after SK Hynix unveiled a record 40 trillion won buyback-and-cancellation plan. Foreign investors bought 1.7 trillion won of Seoul shares while the won hit its strongest level against the dollar in about 11 months.
Korea’s KOSPI closed down 5.80% at 6,471.17 after a US Treasury yield spike and a global semiconductor rout hit Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. A sell-side sidecar fired at the open, retail investors bought the dip, and the won broke below 1,400.
The KOSPI surged past 7,200 intraday on a semiconductor rally, then an afternoon wave of profit-taking erased the entire gain, closing down 1.55% at 6,869.83. Foreign investors kept buying while locals sold, and the collapse of the US-Iran ceasefire added a fresh layer of risk.