Chipmakers lift KOSPI 0.93% despite oil price caution

Seoul Equities Open Higher on Monday

Seoul's stock market commenced trading higher on Monday, 21 September 2026, with the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) recording a rise of 64.09 points, or 0.93 percent, to reach 6,958.32 as of 9:15 a.m. This upward movement was primarily attributed to strong performances among technology firms.

However, market participants maintained a cautious stance, influenced by sustained high crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude, for instance, was observed trading around $104.68 a barrel, reflecting persistent inflationary pressures and broader risks that temper investor optimism despite sector-specific gains.

Chipmakers Drive Market Performance

The positive momentum in Seoul's market was significantly propelled by the semiconductor sector, drawing cues from strong overnight performances on Wall Street. On Friday, US semiconductor shares rallied, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumping 2.78 percent. This provided a favourable backdrop for major Korean chip manufacturers.

Samsung Electronics, a key market heavyweight, saw its shares increase by 3.26 percent, while SK hynix, another prominent chip giant, recorded a gain of 0.22 percent. This sector-specific strength indicates a selective focus of capital into industries perceived to have robust fundamentals or strong external drivers.

Mixed Trends Among Major Companies

Beyond the semiconductor sector, performance among other leading market heavyweights was mixed. While tech firms saw gains, some major industrial players experienced declines. Hyundai Motor, a leading automaker, registered a fall of 0.96 percent. Similarly, LG Energy Solution, a significant battery manufacturer, shed 2.75 percent from its share price.

Concurrently, the Korean won weakened against the US dollar, trading at 1,386.2 won, which represented a depreciation of 0.7 won from its closing position in the previous stock trading session. This divergence suggests that broader economic concerns continue to affect various segments of the market differently.

Balancing Tech Strength Against External Risks

Investor sentiment in Seoul is currently balancing the positive influence of a strong technology sector, particularly semiconductors, against ongoing concerns regarding global energy costs and geopolitical instability.

While Friday saw an overall advance of 2.66 percent in Seoul stocks, driven by easing inflation concerns, the current elevated crude oil prices at approximately $104.68 a barrel continue to pose a risk. Decision-makers in Asia will need to monitor global oil price trajectories and upcoming inflation data releases closely.

The varied performance across leading Korean companies suggests a market sensitive to both sector-specific drivers and broader macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, impacting capital allocation decisions in the near term.