Korean Stock Insight
KOSPI Surges 6.63% as Memory Earnings Lift Chips, Robotics and Equipment
Korea’s earnings rally gathered speed on October 28. The KOSPI rose 6.63% to 6,012.44, gaining 374.10 points, while the KOSDAQ advanced 3.69% to 771.28. Our constructive reading rests on memory earnings and announced shareholder returns. Participation improved, but overseas buying remained uneven across the two markets, leaving a test for the next session.
The KOSPI opened at 5,763.85 and reached 6,032.28 before finishing close to its session high. Naver Finance counted 582 rising and 289 falling KOSPI stocks; on KOSDAQ the totals, including daily-limit moves, were 1,147 and 529. That breadth gives the advance substance beyond two stocks. Its magnitude still reflects the weight of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, which finished the regular session up 9.01% and 10.89%, respectively.
Foreign and institutional investors bought Korean main-board shares on a net basis. On KOSDAQ, institutional buying accompanied foreign selling. For global investors, this is an important distinction between renewed exposure to large Korean exporters and broad demand for smaller growth companies. The won also weakened: the Seoul dollar rate at 3:30 p.m. was KRW1,337.7, up KRW14.0. Equity flows and currency performance therefore warrant separate attention.
SK hynix reported preliminary consolidated third-quarter revenue of KRW104.6155 trillion and operating profit of KRW83.3338 trillion. It also outlined approximately KRW100 trillion in shareholder returns for fiscal 2026. Of a newly approved KRW20 trillion buyback, KRW10 trillion is intended for cancellation and the balance for employee compensation. Earnings capacity and the treatment of repurchased shares both matter to value per share.
The company said long-term agreements cover more than half of its 2027–2028 capacity. We see that as a stronger basis for investment decisions; revenue still depends on shipments, pricing and execution. Announced repurchases and completed cancellations belong at different stages of that assessment. The operating and capital-return cases become more convincing as deliveries and completed actions follow the announcements.
Equipment shares joined the move: PSK Holdings gained 14.07%, Jusung Engineering 6.12% and EO Technics 5.95%. Our interpretation is that investors are extending the memory thesis into future factory spending. The useful distinction now is timing. Equipment orders, delivery milestones and customer capital expenditure should establish which suppliers can turn that expectation into recognized sales.
Robotics offered a separate catalyst. Rainbow Robotics rose 15.08%, ROBOTIS 9.76% and Doosan Robotics 6.89%. Yonhap linked the rally to Samsung’s review of its robotics operations and the expected November 9–10 Korea visit by NVIDIA executive Madison Huang. Commercial cooperation could expand opportunities for components and robotics platforms. After a sharp rally, however, customer commitments, delivery volumes and schedules would carry more weight in our assessment than attendance at an industry event.
Samsung Electronics’ official notice places its third-quarter earnings call at 10 a.m. Korea time on October 29. Today’s rise anticipates that discussion rather than reflecting a completed detailed earnings briefing. Product mix, supply capabilities and capital returns will help determine whether investors raise their expectations for the coming quarters. SK hynix’s performance cannot substitute for Samsung’s own disclosure.
For the next session, we would prioritize the link from memory earnings to equipment orders and keep robotics exposure tied to identifiable commercial evidence. Sustained chip gains after Samsung’s call, alongside wider foreign buying, would support expanding the opportunity set. A reversal after the briefing combined with deteriorating breadth would weaken the case for chasing today’s index surge.
Related: October 27 market wrap
Sources: KOSPI regular-session close and breadth · KOSDAQ regular-session close and breadth · 코스피, 앤트로픽·하닉 훈풍에 6.6% 상승 · SK hynix Announces 3Q26 Financial Results · 엔비디아 매디슨 황 방한 소식 등에 로봇주 강세 마감 · 삼성전자 3분기 실적발표 컨퍼런스콜 공고 · 코스피 6012.44 마감
#KOSPI #KOSDAQ #SKhynix #Robotics #Semiconductors
This article is for informational purposes and is not a recommendation to buy or sell securities. Investors are responsible for their decisions and any gains or losses.
Related KSI Research
Key Data Sources
- Naver Finance — KOSPI regular-session close and breadth
- Naver Finance — KOSDAQ regular-session close and breadth
- 연합뉴스 — 코스피, 앤트로픽·하닉 훈풍에 6.6% 상승
- SK hynix — SK hynix Announces 3Q26 Financial Results
- 연합뉴스 — 엔비디아 매디슨 황 방한 소식 등에 로봇주 강세 마감
- Samsung Electronics — 삼성전자 3분기 실적발표 컨퍼런스콜 공고
- 서울파이낸스 — 코스피 6012.44 마감
