South Korean shares close higher as AI-driven chip exports extend growth

SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS

01/09/2026 08:01

KOSPI rises, foreigners net sellers
Korean won weakens against dollar
South Korea benchmark bond yield rises
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SEOUL, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:
  ** South Korean shares closed higher on Tuesday as preliminary August trade data showed exports extended strong growth, underpinned by artificial-intelligence demand in the chip sector. The won weakened, while the benchmark bond yield rose. ** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 closed up 15.78 points, or 0.23%, at 6,835.80.
** South Korea on Tuesday unveiled its most aggressive fiscal spending plan on record, setting total government expenditure for 2027 at 821 trillion won ($596.92 billion) to strengthen the country's technological edge amid the global AI race. 
** South Korea's exports surged 68.7% in August from a year earlier, extending their winning streak to a 15th consecutive month and outpacing analysts' forecasts as the economy continued to ride a wave of global technology demand.    
** Among index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS rose 0.38%, while peer SK Hynix 000660.KS gained 1.14%. Battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS slid 2.91%. ** Shares of Hyundai Motor 005380.KS and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS were down 0.74% and up 0.15%, respectively. Steelmaker POSCO Holdings 005490.KS added 0.74%, while drugmaker Samsung BioLogics 207940.KS rose 0.13%. ** Of the total 907 traded issues, 446 shares advanced, while 422 declined. ** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 491.9 billion won. ** The won was quoted at 1,370.4 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.18% lower than its previous close at 1,368.0. ** The KOSPI has risen 62.21% so far this year. ** The won has strengthened 5.0% against the dollar so far this year. ** In money and debt markets, September futures on three-year treasury bonds KTBc1 lost 0.10 point to 103.13. ** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR rose 4.1 basis points to 3.878%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR rose 5.8 basis points to 4.371%.


 (Reporting by Cynthia Kim; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
 ((Cynthia.Kim@thomsonreuters.com; 822 3704 5655; Reuters Messaging: cynthia.kim.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))