# South Korean KOSPI market performance and trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-kospi-market-performance-and-trends > Updated: 2026-10-10T22:29:44.000Z. Sources: 39. Developments: 3. The South Korean KOSPI market has experienced significant activity driven by sector-specific growth and shifting macroeconomic factors. In late August, profit forecasts for KOSPI-listed companies were raised following strong second-quarter results. By mid-September, the KOSPI index saw a surge of 2.81% amid falling global oil prices and easing inflation concerns. However, by October 2026, the market faced renewed volatility and a sharp decline. On October 8, the KOSPI fell 2.62 percent to close at 6,625.93, driven by high interest rates, elevated oil prices, and cautious macroeconomic sentiment. Large-cap technology stocks, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, led the retreat. By October 11, the downturn intensified, marking a three-session losing streak where the index fell over 5.4 percent, dropping below the 6,400 level. This slump is characterized by a rapid exit of foreign capital, described as the fastest in Asia. This retreat follows a massive rally in the first half of 2026, with the index having lost approximately 32 percent from its June peak. Despite Samsung Electronics reporting a record third-quarter operating profit of 107 trillion won, investors have engaged in profit-taking due to concerns over the sustainability of AI investment and rising global interest rates. On October 10, the downturn continued as the KOSPI closed at 6,384.24, a 3.65 percent decrease, while the KOSDAQ dropped 4.83 percent to 849.19. Major semiconductor companies led the decline, with Samsung Electronics falling 4.39 percent and SK Hynix dropping 4.52 percent. These losses were attributed to concerns regarding the sustainability of AI-driven demand, potential oversupply from Chinese manufacturer ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), and foreign investors net selling over 2 trillion won in the KOSPI market. On October 15, the sell-off intensified as the combined market capitalization of the KOSPI and KOSDAQ indices dropped by approximately 389 trillion won. ## Claims - Foreign investors sold a net 1.99 trillion won worth of stocks. (disputed by 5 sources) - The KOSPI benchmark closed at 6,625.93 on October 8, 2026, a decrease of 2.62 percent. (disputed by 4 sources) - The KOSPI closed at 6,384.24, a 3.65 percent decrease. (disputed by 2 sources) - Foreign investors net sold 2.025 trillion won in the KOSPI market. (disputed by 2 sources) - The Bank of Korea recorded 16.9 trillion won in returns on foreign assets in 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Returns on foreign assets in 2025 were up 32 percent from the previous year. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Samsung Electronics reported a third-quarter operating profit of 107 trillion won. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The KOSDAQ closed at 849.19, a 4.83 percent decrease. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Market turnover in South Korea collapsed by 70 percent from its peak in late May. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Samsung Electronics shares fell 4.39 percent to 250,500 won. (corroborated by 2 sources) - SK Hynix shares fell 4.52 percent to 1,605,000 won. (corroborated by 2 sources) - South Korea's September exports reached a record US$120.9 billion. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-10: South Korean stock markets slump as tech giants and foreign selling drive losses South Korea's KOSPI and KOSDAQ indices fell sharply, driven by heavy selling of semiconductor giants Samsung and SK Hynix and a massive exit of foreign capital. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-stock-market-declines-as-foreign-capital-exits-kospi ### 2026-09-18: KOSPI surges 2.81% amid easing inflation and shifting foreign investment South Korea's KOSPI surged 2.81% as falling oil prices and Fed rate decisions eased inflation fears, while August marked the first month this year that foreign investors were net buyers of Korean stocks. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kospi-surges-281-amid-easing-inflation-and-shifting-foreign-investment ### 2026-08-25: KOSPI profit forecasts rise as energy and IT sectors drive growth KOSPI net profit forecasts have risen by 6.2% following strong Q2 results in energy and IT, while cosmetics firm Cosmax reported record revenue and its first profitable quarter in the US. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kospi-profit-forecasts-rise-as-energy-and-it-sectors-drive-growth --- Cite as: South Korean KOSPI market performance and trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-kospi-market-performance-and-trends