KOSPI closes 0.89 percent lower as chip stocks retreat

KOSPI fell back below 7,000 points as foreign selling hit Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, while investors awaited Samsung's October 8 results.

KOSPI closed at 6,941.39 points on October 6, 2026, down 62.35 points, or 0.89 percent, as semiconductor stocks weakened under pressure from elevated global bond yields. Yonhap reported that the index reversed an early gain as investors awaited third-quarter earnings.

Technology stocks lead the decline

Foreign investors sold a net KRW 1.75 trillion of shares, while institutions sold KRW 1.98 billion and individuals bought KRW 740.56 billion, according to The Korea Times. Decliners outnumbered advancers 459 to 424.

Samsung Electronics fell 1.45 percent to KRW 272,000 and SK hynix dropped 3.69 percent to KRW 1.77 million. The index opened at 7,044.67 points and touched an intraday low of 6,897.4 points before recovering, Aju Press reported.

Events ahead

Investors are due to receive minutes from the September Federal Open Market Committee meeting on October 7. Samsung Electronics is scheduled to release preliminary third-quarter results on October 8, making the earnings update the next major catalyst for the KOSPI, according to Asia Business Daily. The Korea Times said higher interest rates, energy costs and inflation concerns were pushing global bond yields higher.

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