The benchmark KOSPI slipped to around 6,950 on Friday, erasing gains from the previous session as worries over domestic inflation and elevated global bond yields pressured the market. Korea’s CPI remained at 2.9% in September, and the BOK cautioned that inflation could hover near 3% in October, heightening expectations of a potential additional rate hike. At the same time, US Treasury yields stayed elevated after the 10-year briefly exceeded 5.3%, while crude oil prices rose above $100 per barrel amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, further amplifying inflation risks.
On a more positive note, stronger-than-expected earnings and an upbeat memory market outlook from Micron lent support to sentiment toward Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, while record South Korean semiconductor exports underscored the sector’s robust prospects. Among large-cap names, performance was mixed: Samsung C&T Corp (-1.4%), Doosan Enerbility (-0.85%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-1.0%) declined, whereas Samsung Electronics and SK Square posted modest gains.