Seoul Shares Surge 3% on Renewed AI Optimism and Easing Oil Prices
Seoul shares jumped 3% as optimism around AI and lower oil prices lifted investor sentiment.
Seoul shares jumped 3% as optimism around AI and lower oil prices lifted investor sentiment.
On October 27, 2026, Seoul's stock market experienced a significant boost, with the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rising by 3.09%, closing at 5,638.34. This surge was primarily driven by renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and a decline in oil prices, which helped improve investor confidence.
The market saw a strong influx of foreign investments, prompting the Korea Exchange to activate a buy-side sidecar to manage the surge in buying activity. Analysts noted that major semiconductor stocks, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, were particularly favored by investors amid the AI optimism.
The positive sentiment was further fueled by news of strong revenue growth from AI startup Anthropic, which reignited interest in tech stocks ahead of upcoming earnings reports from major tech companies. Additionally, easing tensions in the Middle East contributed to the drop in oil prices, further enhancing market conditions.
Despite the overall positive market performance, the Korean won weakened slightly against the U.S. dollar, trading at 1,323.7 won. The trading volume was relatively light, with 183.13 million shares exchanged, indicating a cautious yet optimistic outlook among investors.
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