FX.co ★ South Korean Shares Fall on Profit-Taking

The benchmark KOSPI fell more than 1% to around 6,800 on Monday, erasing gains from the previous session as investors took profits in chip stocks ahead of Nvidia’s earnings this week. Samsung Electronics slumped over 6%, while SK hynix rose nearly 2%, reflecting continued caution over the durability of the AI-driven semiconductor rally.

Equities were further pressured by rising global bond yields, with the US 30-year Treasury yield climbing to its highest level in nearly two decades. Heightened tensions in the Middle East pushed Brent crude toward $90 per barrel, stoking concerns about renewed inflationary pressures and weighing on global risk appetite.

Additional losses were recorded in SK Square (-1.7%), KB Financial Group (-1.6%), and Shinhan Financial Group (-1.4%). Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics announced a record shareholder-return program, earmarking up to KRW 110 trillion for investors this year, including KRW 30 trillion in third-quarter dividends. The move follows SK hynix’s KRW 40 trillion share buyback plan.