KOSPI closes 1.2 percent lower as Samsung disappoints
Published on 10/29/2026 at 13:28 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSSamsung earnings shape the session
- KOSPI finished at 5,938 points on October 29, down 75 points or 1.2 percent.
- Samsung posted 107.4 trillion won in operating profit against a 107.7 trillion won estimate.
- LG Energy Solution was the biggest loser, falling 8.6 percent after LG Chem's stake sale.
- The next KOSPI session opens October 30, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. KST.
The KOSPI closed at 5,938 points on October 29, 2026, down 75 points, or 1.2 percent, after Samsung Electronics earnings disappointed investors. Samsung's 107.4 trillion won operating profit missed the 107.7 trillion won LSEG estimate, Yonhap reported.
Samsung Electronics fell 4.1 percent to 232,000 won despite record results. The company deferred details of its remaining shareholder-return plan until a board meeting in late January 2027, Reuters reported.
Why did the KOSPI reverse?
The index opened at 6,017 points and climbed to 6,100 points before turning lower shortly before 10:00 a.m. KST. Samsung reported revenue of 195.3 trillion won and operating profit of 107.4 trillion won, while revenue expectations stood at 195.8 trillion won, CNBC reported.
The KOSPI briefly fell to 5,818 points before recovering. Declining stocks outnumbered advancing stocks 633 to 236 at the close, according to Aju Press.
KOSPI winners and losers
Closing stock moves came from the same session and venue, with the market led by chip-linked winners and battery-related losers, Yonhap reported:
- SK Square up 3.5 percent: the holding company benefited from SK hynix strength.
- SK hynix up 2.6 percent: record earnings and shareholder returns supported the stock.
- LG Energy Solution down 8.6 percent: LG Chem announced a 2.5 trillion won stake sale.
- Samsung Electronics down 4.1 percent: earnings and shareholder-return details fell short of expectations.
What comes next for the KOSPI
The next KOSPI session opens on October 30, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. KST. Samsung's late-January 2027 board meeting will address the remaining shareholder-return plan, while investors will assess whether semiconductor demand can sustain the recent rally.
KOSPI price data for October 29, 2026
The KOSPI closed at 5,938 points on October 29, 2026, according to Yonhap. It fell 75 points, or 1.2 percent, from 6,012 points on October 28. The index opened at 6,017 points, reached 6,100 points and fell to 5,818 points.
KOSPI by the numbers on October 29, 2026
- Index: KOSPI
- Home exchange: Korea Exchange, South Korea
- Close on October 29, 2026: 5,938 points
- Change versus previous close of October 28, 2026: down 75 points (down 1.2 percent)
- Previous close: 6,012 points
- Open: 6,017 points
- Day high / day low: 6,100 points / 5,818 points
- Top gainer: SK Square up 3.5 percent
- Top loser: LG Energy Solution down 8.6 percent
- Next scheduled event: October 30, 2026, 9:00 a.m. KST: next KOSPI session opens
