South Korea shares hit lowest close since mid-Aug

Samsung Electronics

12/10/2026 08:06

KOSPI falls, foreigners net sellers
Korean won strengthens against dollar
South Korea benchmark bond yield falls
For the midday report, please click nL1N45Y01D
SEOUL, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares closed 3.65% down on Monday to hit the lowest closing level since August 11 as traders returned from a long weekend and assessed renewed attacks across the Middle East that could further disrupt global energy supplies. The won strengthened, while the benchmark bond yield fell.
** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 was down 241.69 points, or 3.65%, at 6,384.24 as of 06:32 GMT. 
** Weighing on sentiment, Saudi authorities reported that 1 person was killed and nearly a dozen injured in what they said was a new attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, a day after a Houthi-claimed strike killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.   
** The won strengthened to its highest level against the dollar since October 4, 2024, mid-day, while the benchmark bond yield fell.
** Chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS fell 4.39%, while peer SK Hynix 000660.KS lost 4.52%.
** Among other index heavyweights, battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS slid 0.75%, while Hyundai Motor 005380.KS and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS were down 1.39% and up 1.22%, respectively.
** Steelmaker POSCO Holdings 005490.KS shed 2.45%, while drugmaker Samsung BioLogics 207940.KS fell 1.48%.
** Of the total 918 traded issues, 166 shares advanced, while 720 declined.
** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 2,016.9 billion won.
** The won was quoted at 1,335.1 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.52% higher than its previous close at 1,342.0.
** The KOSPI has risen 51.49% so far this year.
** The won has strengthened 7.8% against the dollar so far this year.
** In money and debt markets, December futures on 3-year treasury bonds KTBc1 gained 0.27 point to 102.77.
** The most liquid 3-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR fell by 7.4 basis points to 3.920%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR fell by 8.9 basis points to 4.305%.

 (Reporting by Cynthia Kim; Editing by Jochelle Mendonca)
 ((Cynthia.Kim@thomsonreuters.com; 822 3704 5655; Reuters Messaging: cynthia.kim.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))