Key facts
- Seoul shares opened higher on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
- The KOSPI rose 0.07% to 6,808.68 at the opening bell.
- Technology stocks led the gains, influenced by Samsung Electronics' strong third-quarter operating profit estimate.
- Samsung Electronics' estimated third-quarter operating profit was 107 trillion won (US$79.8 billion), 1.6% above forecasts.
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.66% overnight.
- The Nasdaq Composite declined 0.22% overnight.
Seoul shares opened higher on Thursday, October 8, 2026, as gains in technology stocks helped to offset concerns about inflation stemming from high oil prices. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 4.78 points, or 0.07 percent, to 6,808.68 at the opening bell.
Technology stocks were boosted by Samsung Electronics, which announced an estimated third-quarter operating profit of 107 trillion won (US$79.8 billion). This figure exceeded market forecasts by 1.6 percent.
Overnight, US markets saw a mixed performance, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.66 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declining 0.22 percent.