Overview

• South Korea’s benchmark index rose 1.73% to 3,610.6, its first-ever close above 3,600, on the first session after the weeklong Chuseok break with heavy turnover of 19.2 trillion won.
• Samsung Electronics jumped 6.07% and SK hynix surged 8.22%, lifting their market values above 550 trillion won and 300 trillion won, respectively, with Hanmi Semiconductor up 18.39%.
• Foreign investors were net buyers of about 1.06 trillion won, while retail investors sold 502 billion won and institutions offloaded 594.5 billion won.
• The won weakened to around 1,421 per U.S. dollar, its lowest level in more than five months, underscoring exchange-rate volatility alongside the equity surge.
• Analysts cited AI-linked momentum and chip catalysts, including Nvidia’s approved sales for U.S. projects in the UAE and reports of Samsung reviving ties with Qualcomm and Intel, while warning that currency swings and a tougher fourth-quarter backdrop could spur short-term volatility.