Key facts
- South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Friday, July 10, 2026, led by technology heavyweights.
- The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 3.57 percent at the opening bell.
- U.S. stocks closed higher overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.27 percent, the S&P 500 up 0.81 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite up 1.3 percent.
- Market bellwether Samsung Electronics advanced 3.6 percent, and SK hynix surged 4.02 percent.
- The South Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar due to renewed Middle East tensions.
- Institutional buying counteracted retail selling in Seoul's stock market.
- Foreign investors remained net stock buyers.
South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Friday, July 10, 2026, driven by strong gains in major technology companies, mirroring overnight advances on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged 3.57 percent to 7,552.49 at the opening bell. This rally followed a positive performance in U.S. markets, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.27 percent, the S&P 500 climbed 0.81 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 1.3 percent, boosted by a rebound in semiconductor shares and easing oil prices.
Market leaders Samsung Electronics and SK hynix saw significant increases, advancing 3.6 percent and 4.02 percent, respectively. Despite the strong stock market performance, the South Korean won depreciated against the U.S. dollar. This weakening was attributed to renewed tensions in the Middle East, which have historically led to increased oil prices and market uncertainty. However, foreign investors continued their net buying of South Korean stocks, indicating sustained confidence in the local market.