AJP Factbox: KOSPI amongst the worst performers in October 2026

by Ryu Yuna Posted : 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 1711 percent as concerns over AI profitability and heavy foreign selling weighed on the market Source Epic AI
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 1813 trillion won approximately 136 billion in South Korean stocks over eight consecutive trading sessions in October while 688 percent of KOSPI- and KOSDAQ-listed stocks declined through Oct 16 Samsung Electronics and SK hynix fell 1974 percent and 2838 percent respectively Source Epic AI Korea Exchange
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.