AJP Factbox: KOSPI amongst the worst performers in October 2026
By Ryu YunaPosted : October 19, 2026, 17:00Updated : October 19, 2026, 17:00
South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI posted the weakest performance among major global stock indexes from Oct. 1 to 16, falling 17.11 percent, as concerns over AI profitability and heavy foreign selling weighed on the market. Source: Epic AI.
Foreign investors net sold 18.13 trillion won (approximately $13.6 billion) in South Korean stocks over eight consecutive trading sessions in October, while 68.8 percent of KOSPI- and KOSDAQ-listed stocks declined through Oct. 16. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix fell 19.74 percent and 28.38 percent, respectively. Source: Epic AI, Korea Exchange.