According to a disclosure from the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system (DART) on October 8, Samsung Electronics reported a preliminary revenue of 195 trillion won for the third quarter of 2026, a 126.6% increase compared to the same period last year. Operating profit reached 107.4 trillion won, marking a 782.5% increase year-on-year.
Despite these impressive figures, Samsung's stock price declined. The stock closed at 268,500 won, down 6,500 won (2.42%) from the previous trading day.
Analysts attribute the stock's decline to heightened market expectations for Samsung's operating profit. With semiconductor stocks already experiencing significant optimism, results that only slightly exceed market expectations may not provide enough momentum for further stock price increases. Some speculate that the anticipated results may have already been factored into the stock price.
Lee Ok-won, the chairman of the Financial Services Commission, expressed regret over investor losses related to the introduction of these ETFs. When asked about any directives from the presidential office, he responded, "No, that is not the case." He explained that a 40-day legislative notice period was conducted until March 11, during which no significant opinions were raised, allowing the process to continue.
Regarding the increased volatility in stock prices since the product's launch, Lee acknowledged that while the single-stock leverage ETFs may have contributed, multiple factors, including heightened volatility in the global semiconductor sector and increased concentration of semiconductor stocks in the domestic market, played a role.
Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, is set to visit the Gwangju military airport, the planned site for the Honam semiconductor cluster, to assess project progress and discuss infrastructure and investment plans.
According to the Gwangju Integrated Special City on October 8, Chey and SK Hynix executives plan to visit the site designated for the relocation of ammunition depots within the military airport on October 9. This location is expected to house SK Hynix's semiconductor production facilities (fabs).
While SK Hynix executives have previously conducted site inspections, this will be Chey's first visit. This visit is particularly noteworthy as it follows the government's announcement in June regarding the investment plans for the Gwangju semiconductor mega-project involving Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
Despite a strong dollar, the won-dollar exchange rate has fallen to the 1,330 won range, supported by a substantial current account surplus. The influx of dollars earned by export companies during the semiconductor boom is exerting downward pressure on the exchange rate. Market analysts suggest that this trend may continue, potentially leading to further declines in the won-dollar exchange rate.
According to the Bank of Korea, the current account recorded a surplus of $46.11 billion in August, marking the second-largest surplus on record, following June's $49.73 billion. The cumulative surplus for the first eight months of this year reached $279.2 billion, nearly four times that of the same period last year.
The expansion of the current account surplus has been driven by semiconductor exports. The merchandise trade surplus in August was $46.81 billion, the second-highest on record. Merchandise exports totaled $104.8 billion, an 82.1% increase compared to the same month last year. Notably, semiconductor exports surged by 206.1%, propelling overall export growth.
On October 8, the Swedish Academy announced that Canadian poet, novelist, and classicist Anne Carson, 76, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature. The Academy cited her innovative body of work that reinterprets classical literature traditions in a modern context and pioneers new forms of literature.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1950, Carson is known as a poet, essayist, translator, and classicist. She has often described herself as someone who "makes a living teaching ancient Greek," reflecting her deep engagement with classical literature. She is renowned for her experimental writing that blurs the boundaries between poetry, novels, essays, translations, and academic papers.
According to Minumsa, Carson has been praised as a "true poet who writes unforgettable poetry." Her extensive creative experience across genres, combined with her unique freedom of expression, has garnered her a devoted readership. The influence of ancient literature adds a sense of mystery and philosophical depth to her works.
Carson's works have been translated and published in Korea, including titles such as "Eros the Bittersweet," "Short Stories," "Glass, Irony, and God," "Plainwater," "The Beauty of Husband," "Red Doc," "Float," and "Nox."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.