KOSPI closes 1.98 percent lower as bond yields pressure chips
Published on 10/07/2026 at 13:03 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
The KOSPI closed at 6,803.90 points on October 7, 2026, down 137.49 points, or 1.98 percent, as technology shares weakened amid concern over elevated bond yields. Yonhap said the index opened 1.11 percent lower, briefly turned higher and then extended its decline.
Technology shares lead the decline
Samsung Electronics fell 1.29 percent to KRW 268,500, while SK hynix lost 2.82 percent to KRW 1.72 million. SK Square declined 1.64 percent and Samsung Electro-Mechanics dropped 4.24 percent, according to Yonhap.
Lee Kyung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said the KOSPI came under pressure from international oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields. The won strengthened against the U.S. dollar, while South Korean three-year Treasury yields rose 2.8 basis points to 3.961 percent and five-year yields increased 1.7 basis points to 4.134 percent, SBS News reported.
Samsung earnings set the next test
Investors are now focused on Samsung Electronics' preliminary third-quarter results, scheduled for October 8. Investing.com said the LSEG SmartEstimate from 21 analysts puts operating profit at KRW 106.1 trillion.
The earnings release will coincide with semiconductor ETF rebalancing, options expiry and the expected completion of Samsung's share buyback, according to Chosun Daily. Reuters said analysts have reduced their Samsung operating-profit forecasts by 7.7 percent since the end of August as memory-price gains moderated and the won strengthened: Reuters.
The KOSPI's next session is Thursday, October 8, when Samsung's preliminary results and the related semiconductor-market events will shape trading.
