(2nd LD) Seoul shares crash over 7 pct on chip rout amid AI, inflation woes

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SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks plunged more than 7 percent Thursday as major chipmakers extended losses amid growing concerns over the sustainability of investments related to artificial intelligence (AI) and rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. The Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar.

After opening 5.59 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended its losses, tumbling 454.59 points, or 7.57 percent, to end at 5,554.22, after dipping as low as 5,450.81.

The KOSPI fell for the seventh consecutive session, marking its longest losing streak since September 2024. Thurday's closing price was the lowest since April 7, when the index fell below 5,500.

The sharp sell-off prompted the Korea Exchange (KRX) to activate a sell-side sidecar shortly after the market opened, suspending program selling for five minutes as KOSPI 200 futures fell more than 5 percent for at least one minute.

As losses deepened, the bourse operator activated a circuit breaker at 12:38 p.m., halting trading on the main bourse for 20 minutes after the KOSPI dropped more than 8 percent from the previous session's close.

Overnight, U.S. stocks closed lower as renewed concerns over the sustainability of AI-related spending and hotter-than-expected September inflation data dampened investor sentiment.

The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.6 percent on month in September, its fastest monthly increase since April, fueling concerns that persistent inflation could prod the Fed to raise interest rates.

Financial data is displayed on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Oct. 15, 2026, after the market closed. (Yonhap)

Trade volume was moderate at 363.47 million shares worth 26.87 trillion won (US$19.97 billion), with decliners far outnumbering advancers 787 to 112.

Foreigners sold a net 3.62 trillion won, while institutions and individuals bought a net 1.69 trillion won and 1.29 trillion won, respectively.

"The KOSPI market came under heavy selling pressure amid concerns over the sustainability of AI-related investments, intensifying competition in memory chip production and rising borrowing costs," Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said.

"Semiconductor shares slumped, while IT hardware and power equipment stocks also declined as investor sentiment toward the broader AI value chain weakened," he added.

Market heavyweights fell across the board, led by a sharp sell-off in technology shares.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics plunged 9.48 percent to 210,000 won, while chip giant SK hynix tumbled 11.06 percent to 1.26 million won.

SK Square, the parent firm of SK hynix, dipped 10.21 percent to 765,000 won, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electronics component affiliate of Samsung Electronics, sank 15.36 percent to 1.16 million won.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,344.6 won against the U.S. dollar as of 3:30 p.m., down 2.3 won from the previous stock trading session's close.

Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys shed 1.6 basis points to 3.867, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds lost 4 basis points to 4.007.

ejkim@yna.co.kr (END)

(2nd LD) Seoul shares crash over 7 pct on chip rout amid AI, inflation woes

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首尔，10月15日（韩联社）——周四，韩国股市暴跌逾7%，主要芯片制造商股价跌幅扩大，原因是市场对人工智能（AI）相关投资的可持续性以及美联储加息的担忧日益加剧。韩元兑美元汇率走弱。

韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）开盘下跌 5.59%，随后跌势扩大，下跌 454.59 点，跌幅达 7.57%，收于 5,554.22 点，盘中一度跌至 5,450.81 点。

韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）连续第七个交易日下跌，创下自2024年9月以来的最长连跌纪录。周四收盘价为4月7日以来的最低点，当时该指数跌破5500点。

急剧的抛售促使韩国交易所（KRX）在市场开盘后不久启动卖方侧车机制，暂停程序化交易五分钟，因为 KOSPI 200 指数期货在至少一分钟内下跌超过 5%。

随着跌幅加深，交易所运营商于下午 12:38 启动熔断机制，在韩国综合股价指数 (KOSPI) 较前一交易日收盘价下跌超过 8% 后，暂停主板交易 20 分钟。

隔夜，由于对人工智能相关支出可持续性的担忧再次加剧，以及9月份通胀数据高于预期，投资者情绪受到打击，美国股市收低。

美国9月份消费者价格指数（CPI）环比上涨0.6%，创下4月份以来最快的月度涨幅，加剧了人们对持续通胀可能促使美联储提高利率的担忧。

2026年10月15日股市收盘后，首尔市中心韩亚银行交易室内的屏幕上显示着金融数据。（韩联社）

交易量适中，为 3.6347 亿股，价值 26.87 万亿韩元（199.7 亿美元），下跌股票数量远远超过上涨股票，比例为 787 比 112。

外国人净卖出3.62万亿韩元，而机构和个人分别净买入1.69万亿韩元和1.29万亿韩元。

大信证券分析师李京敏表示：“由于担心人工智能相关投资的可持续性、存储芯片生产竞争加剧以及借贷成本上升，韩国综合股价指数(KOSPI)市场面临巨大的抛售压力。”

他还补充道：“半导体股票暴跌，IT硬件和电力设备股票也出现下滑，因为投资者对整个人工智能价值链的信心减弱。”

市场巨头全线下跌，其中科技股遭遇暴跌。

市场风向标三星电子股价暴跌 9.48%，至 21 万韩元；芯片巨头 SK 海力士股价暴跌 11.06%，至 126 万韩元。

SK海力士的母公司SK Square股价下跌10.21%，至76.5万韩元；三星电子的电子元件子公司三星电机股价下跌15.36%，至116万韩元。

截至下午 3:30，韩元兑美元汇率为 1,344.6 韩元，较前一交易日收盘价下跌 2.3 韩元。

与收益率走势相反的债券价格收高。三年期美国国债收益率下跌1.6个基点至3.867%，五年期基准政府债券收益率下跌4个基点至4.007%。

ejkim@yna.co.kr (完)

（第二部分）受人工智能和通胀担忧影响，芯片股暴跌，首尔股市暴跌逾7%。