Seoul stocks opened higher on Monday, driven by gains in technology heavyweights, particularly chipmakers. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 0.64 percent to 6,938.34. The gains were supported by a rally in U.S. semiconductor shares on Friday.
The performance of Seoul stocks, particularly its tech sector, is influenced by global semiconductor trends and broader market sentiment regarding inflation and geopolitical risks, impacting investor exposure to Asian equities.
Seoul stocks opened higher on Monday, September 21, 2026, with the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rising 0.64 percent to 6,938.34. The advance was primarily driven by gains in technology heavyweights, particularly chipmakers, following a positive lead from U.S. semiconductor shares which rallied on Friday. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumped 2.78 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.39 percent and the S&P 500 edged up 0.17 percent. Despite the positive sentiment in tech, elevated crude oil prices, trading around US$104.68 a barrel for Brent crude, and lingering geopolitical risks in the Middle East contributed to investor caution. On the previous trading day, Friday, Seoul stocks had advanced 2.66 percent as easing inflation concerns boosted investor sentiment.
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