Key facts
- South Korean stocks opened sharply higher on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
- The gains were led by tech heavyweights.
- Investor sentiment improved due to a rally in AI-related stocks.
- Falling oil prices and softening U.S. Treasury yields also contributed to the positive sentiment.
South Korean stocks opened significantly higher on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with technology companies leading the advance. This surge followed a record close for the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite in the U.S. on Monday, driven by renewed optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and a decrease in global oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened up 153.89 points, or 2.2 percent, reaching 7,161.61. On Monday, U.S. markets saw a broad rally, with the Nasdaq Composite climbing 2.3 percent, the S&P 500 gaining 1.5 percent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average adding 0.7 percent. Improved investor sentiment was bolstered by a widespread rally in AI-related stocks, alongside falling oil prices and softening U.S. Treasury yields.