SEOUL: Seoul shares opened higher on Thursday, driven by the overnight performance of U.S. blue chip technology stocks. This upward movement was supported by the latest U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which reinforced expectations for another interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve.According to Yonhap News Agency, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose by 20.41 points, or 0.84 percent, reaching 2,462.92 in the initial 15 minutes of trading. In the U.S., the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite and the S and P 500 indices gained ground as the CPI data matched predictions, bolstering forecasts for a Fed rate cut this month. However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined due to losses in healthcare shares.Major tech companies saw significant gains, with Alphabet, Google's parent company, increasing by 5.46 percent, Tesla by 5.93 percent, and Nvidia, a leader in artificial intelligence chips, rising by 3.14 percent. In Seoul, technology and financial shares were the primary drivers of the KOSPI's rise. Samsung Electronics saw a gain of 0.74 percent, while SK hynix, a key player in chip manufacturing, jumped 1.86 percent. Top automaker Hyundai Motor increased by 1.91 percent, with its sister company Kia advancing by 1.87 percent.The financial sector also showed strength, with KB Financial climbing 2.58 percent and Samsung Life Insurance surging 3.15 percent. Leading battery producer LG Energy Solution and major chemical firm LG Chem also saw gains, rising by 0.4 percent and 1.52 percent, respectively. However, Naver, an internet portal operator, fell by 1.15 percent after several days of gains. Korea Zinc, the world's largest zinc smelter, declined by 6.21 percent amid a management control battle.The local currency was trading at 1,429.60 won against the U.S. dollar at 9:15 a.m., a rise of 2.6 won from the previous session.
- September 13, 2026
