KOSPI closes 6.6 percent higher as SK hynix revives chips
Published on 10/28/2026 at 13:01 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSChip earnings drive Seoul rebound
- KOSPI closed at 6,012 points on October 28, up 374 points or 6.6 percent.
- SK hynix posted operating profit of 83.3 trillion won and announced expanded shareholder returns.
- SK hynix led KOSPI stocks with an 11.2 percent gain, while Samsung Biologics fell 0.2 percent.
- Samsung Electronics earnings are due October 29 at 10:00 a.m. KST, ahead of the Fed decision at 3:00 a.m. KST.
The KOSPI closed at 6,012 points on October 28, up 374 points or 6.6 percent. Record SK hynix earnings and expanded shareholder returns drove the rally, Seoul Economic Daily reported.
SK hynix was the session's strongest major index mover, rising 10.9 percent. Samsung Electronics also gained 9.0 percent, while Samsung Biologics fell 0.2 percent, according to Seoul Economic Daily.
Why did the KOSPI rally 6.6 percent?
SK hynix reported third-quarter revenue of 104.6 trillion won and operating profit of 83.3 trillion won. Both figures were company records, while operating profit exceeded the 76 trillion won market estimate by 9.3 percent, Seoul Economic Daily reported.
The chipmaker also announced additional shareholder returns. Foreign investors bought 822.9 billion won and institutions bought 960.8 billion won, while retail investors sold 1.80 trillion won.
KOSPI sectors broadened the advance
Electrical and electronics stocks rose 9.0 percent, manufacturing gained 7.4 percent and insurance advanced 6.4 percent. Securities, medical and precision equipment, and financial stocks each rose more than 5 percent, according to MoneyToday.
The index opened at 5,764 points and reached 6,032 points during the session. A buy-side sidecar was triggered at about 9:54 a.m. KST for the second consecutive session, Yonhap News Agency reported.
What comes next for the KOSPI
- October 29, 2026, 9:00 a.m. KST: The next KOSPI regular session opens, according to Buranku Atlas.
- October 29, 2026, 10:00 a.m. KST: Samsung Electronics holds its third-quarter earnings conference call, according to the published company schedule.
- October 29, 2026, 3:00 a.m. KST: The Federal Open Market Committee releases its rate decision, according to Yahoo Finance.
KOSPI price data for October 28, 2026
The KOSPI closed at 6,012 points at 3:30 p.m. KST on October 28, according to Barron's. It rose 374 points or 6.6 percent from the October 27 close of 5,638 points. The index opened at 5,764 points and reached a high of 6,032 points.
KOSPI by the numbers on October 28, 2026
- Index: KOSPI
- Home exchange: Korea Exchange, South Korea
- Close on October 28, 2026: 6,012 points
- Change versus previous close of October 27, 2026: up 374 points (up 6.6 percent)
- Previous close: 5,638 points
- Open: 5,764 points
- Day high / day low: 6,032 points / 5,764 points
- Top gainer: SK hynix up 10.9 percent
- Top loser: Samsung Biologics down 0.2 percent
- Next scheduled event: October 29, 2026, 10:00 a.m. KST: Samsung Electronics earnings conference call
