Seoul shares end higher on institutional buying amid AI investment concerns

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SEOUL, Oct. 19 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares ended higher Monday, supported by institutional buying, as investors weighed concerns over whether heavy spending on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure would generate sufficient returns.

The Korean won was trading higher against the U.S. dollar.

After opening 3.17 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) reversed course to close up 99.96 points, or 1.76 percent, to 5,768.01, after falling as low as 5,488.41.

Institutions bought a net 574.66 billion won (US$432 million) worth of shares, while foreign investors and retail investors sold a net 37.87 billion won and 1.09 trillion won, respectively.

Investors also remained cautious ahead of earnings reports due this week from major companies, including Tesla and Meta Platforms, as well as the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections, amid continued uncertainty over the outlook for interest rates, analysts said.

"Some investors appear to have bought large-cap stocks in search of bargains following sharp declines in recent weeks, helping the index move into positive territory despite reservations centered on massive spending on AI infrastructure," IBK Securities said.

Financial data is shown on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, on Oct. 19, 2026, after the market opened. (Yonhap)

kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr (END)

Seoul shares end higher on institutional buying amid AI investment concerns

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首尔，10月19日（韩联社）——周一，首尔股市收高，机构投资者买盘支撑了这一走势，他们正在权衡对人工智能（AI）基础设施巨额支出是否会产生足够回报的担忧。

韩元兑美元汇率走高。

韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）开盘下跌 3.17%，随后反弹，最终收涨 99.96 点，涨幅 1.76%，报 5,768.01 点，盘中一度跌至 5,488.41 点。

机构投资者净买入价值 5746.6 亿韩元（4.32 亿美元）的股票，而外国投资者和散户投资者分别净卖出 378.7 亿韩元和 1.09 万亿韩元的股票。

分析师表示，由于利率前景持续不明朗，投资者在本周特斯拉和Meta Platforms等主要公司即将发布财报以及11月3日美国中期选举前仍保持谨慎态度。

IBK证券表示：“一些投资者似乎在最近几周股价大幅下跌后买入了大盘股，以寻求低价买入，这帮助该指数转正，尽管人们对人工智能基础设施的大规模支出仍存有疑虑。”

2026年10月19日，市场开盘后，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）

kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr (完)

首尔股市在人工智能投资担忧加剧的情况下，因机构投资者买盘而收高。